Which Job?

[ohsotired2022]

Just looking for a WWYD really?

I have 3 children, youngest DD (8) is Autistic.

My current job is term-time,
I do all school Drop Offs and 3x School pick ups.
I work 30 hours over 5 days.
I do some WFH.
I have a lovely team.
I get left to manage my workload.
I have all holidays covered (80 odd days per year)
I can use parental leave for in-service days.
My work is a 20 min drive from home/school
It all slots around my autistic child
I have zero dread about work

Or would I be unreasonable to leave all of the above for a better paid all year round job?

Keep that. Gold dust.

80 days holiday???? Many people get 20-something days

What do you do? Asking for a friend

It depends whether you can live off the pay you're currently getting. Because that job sounds amazing on paper but if you're only earning £10k a year from it or something then it might be a good idea to change jobs.

Yes @DevantMaJardin that's key!
I'm on £35,000 but work 30 hours

I have just secured a similar job in terms of hours/term time, although my salary is a lot lower. For me it's worth it, even though I could earn much more because I value the work/life balance. Its also a chance for me to ease back into work.

I do wonder if in a few years I might be restless and be willing to give up the flexibility for progression but as I'm just returning to work after a few (quite a few!) years I'm happy. My DH does earn a very good salary with a less flexible job so for us it makes sense.

Depends on how important your career progression is to you. If this was me, I would not be happy and feel like I'm sacrificing my career goals.
Is the father of your children around? If so, why he's in not in the picture for some of the drop offs, pick ups and holidays. If your answer is that he earns more or has a more important job then it goes back to what I've said at the start - sacrificing your career for the benefit of your partner. (This might not be your situation at all, of course)

Hell no- that set up is amazing!

I'll swap you with my job! Definitely keep it. Unless new job is 200% better paid or something....

I’d stay put

Your current set up sounds really good. If you changed jobs would you have a ready solution for the school holidays? I think I would wait until your youngest is quite a bit older before looking for a new job, provided you are managing ok financially.

J left a job where I was paid £15k a year more but was much more stressful and less flexibility around holidays. We had to take 25% leave every quarter. So I often was made to take leave out with school hols.

My husband is on a ok salary. £43k I think. He has very little holidays.
He picks our daughter up from ASC club every Monday and Tuesday and in my more stressful job he also picked her up Wednesday and Thursday. But going to ASC 4x a week was taking a toll on my ASD DD.

I have 100% sacrificed my career. Took a big drop down in Band and Salary.

We have no family for holidays so if I wasn't term-time wills have to outsource childcare.

@Reddickyouless I'm a School Nurse.

@JonSnowedUnder well done.
I've been doing this role for the last 2 years and now starting to look at getting back to a higher paid job but just not sure if I'd be mad to give up what my current role offers.

@OdeToBarney just crunching numbers and think I'd work out about £350 a month better off but then I wills have to pay for childcare and extra stress.

Think I am probably better to stay where I am

Why does Would always change to Will !!

Stay put for now! It works out well for you and your happy.

In a few more years, when youngest is off at High School (and if they are handling it etc) then you can look at going back as the kids won't need as much support

What's the new job, will it come up again? What band is it?
I imagine the £350 a month extra will get swallowed up by childcare costs very quickly.

@AnObserverInThisDarkWorld I think I need to think like this.
I always feel in a rush to do everything.
I was on training though and saw a colleague I worked with years ago who must be late 60's and I thought that'll be me and I won't be tied to school drop offs, pick ups and holidays so just appreciate what I've got for now.

@Iwrotethissong the other post is Band 7 which in Scotland is now £53,000 so a good salary but lots taken off in Tax, NI and pension.
Then I'd have the next 3 years of paying for extra over the holidays.

The job is Health Visitor which I've worked as before.

@ohsotired2022 if you're top 6 now you'll likely stay on that salary for 2 years, don't forget it takes 5 years to climb the band.

I'd stay put if I were you, especially with a child with ASD, would they cope being put from pillar to post over the holidays?

I'm in a similar place, don't dislike my nursing job, hours are great, but I sometimes get itchy feet. Then I think about how awful a new job could be for the family and I stay put. Your dc are older than mine so you've not too many more years to wait.

You'll know the emotional labour of HV as well and how much it takes from you.

@Iwrotethissong thanks for your reply.

Yep, I definitely get itchy and yep, definitely know the demands of Health Visiting, it's definitely a job with challenges.

I'm actually on the bank and have been doing an afternoon with a Health Visiting team. It's been good to keep me grounded at the realities of Health Visiting whilst keeping my skills up to date.

Even doing this I can see it having a negative effect on my DD as she copes with the change. This is helping me to see she would really struggle if I completely changed her routine. Which wouldn't be fair.

My current role is Band 5 but at least I pay very minimal childcare.

Really glad that your current role is working out for you and your family.

It's hard trying to juggle it all and do what's right for everyone.

• should be, do get itchy feet!

Lots of definitely's there 🙈