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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you work an extra three hours a week…

79 replies

Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 17:06

… for £260 extra?

I currently work 26 hours - I reduced from 29 for childcare reasons but could go back up and my boss would really like me to (but no pressure).

Some things have changed so I’m now having to pay for childcare which will cost about £100 a week.

We can cover this with current salary but obviously it would be nice to have a bit more.

However both DS (10 & 5) have ASD and EHCPs and I feel like the paperwork, meetings etc are never ending plus the general stress.

I currently have a full day off a week which is useful for the various bits and bobs. Working additional hours would mean that day off goes.

I can’t decide.

Any pitfalls I’ve not considered?

YABU - keep your day off
YANBU - work more

OP posts:
Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 17:07

£260 extra a MONTH net after deductions and pension.

OP posts:
fourelementary · 23/08/2023 17:07

Week? Yeah… month? Nope

Augend23 · 23/08/2023 17:08

How often is the £260 extra (a week, a month, a year?) and is it before or after tax?

X-post, sorry!

Hufflepods · 23/08/2023 17:08

This is really a pointless thread. For some people this will be more than their hourly pay, for some less therefore making it less worth it.
It depends on whether you want or need more money, that’s it really.

Sirzy · 23/08/2023 17:09

It depends how much you need the money but if you don’t then I would keep the day off if that is working now. You need the time to get things done and hopefully get some rest

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 17:10

Hufflepods · 23/08/2023 17:08

This is really a pointless thread. For some people this will be more than their hourly pay, for some less therefore making it less worth it.
It depends on whether you want or need more money, that’s it really.

Bye then!

Ive asked for people to help make a decision in case I’ve not considered anything.

I said I don’t NEED it but it would obviously be nice.

Like all threads you aren’t required to comment.

OP posts:
Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 17:11

Augend23 · 23/08/2023 17:08

How often is the £260 extra (a week, a month, a year?) and is it before or after tax?

X-post, sorry!

Edited

You EDITED your post! I’ve missed the introduction of this magic!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 17:12

Sirzy · 23/08/2023 17:09

It depends how much you need the money but if you don’t then I would keep the day off if that is working now. You need the time to get things done and hopefully get some rest

To be honest this is where I’m leaning. It just feels off but I don’t know why.

OP posts:
PinkCherryBlossoms · 23/08/2023 17:13

In your shoes no, I'd think the day off has more value.

neverbeenskiing · 23/08/2023 17:18

OP, like you I have two DC with SEN (9yo with Autism and 4.5yo awaiting an assessment for suspected Autism and ADHD) and I work part time. I currently work 29 hours over 4 days. Would that be an option for you? That way you'd still get a day to yourself.

You're right, the paperwork and mental load that comes with having SEN kids is endless. I wouldn't give up my day off in the week unless I really, really needed to. It's so helpful for sorting life admin, appointments, house stuff etc but also sometimes I just desperately crave some time alone in an empty house to hear myself think!

Beangrove · 23/08/2023 17:19

Tbh I reckon once you 'lose' the day off you'll really miss it. I used to work compressed hours with a day off every other week, and then I changed jobs to normal full time, and I found it made a massive difference, weekends felt more pressured to fit chores in. And I don't have children!

If the £260 won't make a huge difference to you, personally I wouldn't do it. I'd happily add a bit of extra time to each working day if that was an option and would work for you, but I wouldn't give up the day off.

CantFindTheBeat · 23/08/2023 17:21

OP,

could the extra money buy you some resources so you can free up some time?

Maybe a cleaner every fortnight, £120
left for a couple of good treats?

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 17:22

neverbeenskiing · 23/08/2023 17:18

OP, like you I have two DC with SEN (9yo with Autism and 4.5yo awaiting an assessment for suspected Autism and ADHD) and I work part time. I currently work 29 hours over 4 days. Would that be an option for you? That way you'd still get a day to yourself.

You're right, the paperwork and mental load that comes with having SEN kids is endless. I wouldn't give up my day off in the week unless I really, really needed to. It's so helpful for sorting life admin, appointments, house stuff etc but also sometimes I just desperately crave some time alone in an empty house to hear myself think!

This would be the ideal but I only have childcare for two days after school so I have two short days and two long. If I had three I’d definitely do it!

OP posts:
Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 17:23

CantFindTheBeat · 23/08/2023 17:21

OP,

could the extra money buy you some resources so you can free up some time?

Maybe a cleaner every fortnight, £120
left for a couple of good treats?

We already have a weekly cleaner. She’s the most important thing I spend money on to be frank - she’s my saviour.

OP posts:
Sceptre86 · 23/08/2023 17:24

I wouldn't give up the day off. You sound like you've a lot on your plate keeping up with paperwork and advocating for the kids. It's nice to have that one day to get all your admin done.

CantFindTheBeat · 23/08/2023 17:25

Brilliant, @Merryoldgoat, i feel that about mine too.

Can you do the extra hours for 3 months as a trial?

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 17:27

CantFindTheBeat · 23/08/2023 17:25

Brilliant, @Merryoldgoat, i feel that about mine too.

Can you do the extra hours for 3 months as a trial?

That’s a really good idea actually, it’s a busy few months so I could easily sell that and if it doesn’t I can just take TOIL before adjusting my contract…

OP posts:
PleaseGiveMeBackMySummer · 23/08/2023 17:39

Stealth brag, telling everyone you get paid nearly £21 an hour. 🥱

🙄

Lioney · 23/08/2023 17:42

As a parent of children with SEND & 3 EHCplans, I think the time is more valuable then the money.

TheWayoftheLeaf · 23/08/2023 17:48

Yes... that's a day and a half of my wage

Oceanrudeness · 23/08/2023 17:49

I wouldn't lose a day off for 3 hrs extra work/ pay, no. Time is sometimes worth more than money, especially in your circumstances. However, I would work the extra 3 hrs over the 4 days, as this would only be an extra 45 mins a day. Would this be an option for you and your boss?

TheWayoftheLeaf · 23/08/2023 17:49

Oh sorry a month. Well depends if you need it I guess

Dearly89 · 23/08/2023 17:52

Yeah I would, 3 hours a week extra is nothing and £260 for some people is an electricity bill or month of food shopping! X

PuttingouthefirewithGasoline · 23/08/2023 17:55

Personally whiles you have a lot of life amin I would keep it one day free asp as second school, sats etc are coming up

Augend23 · 23/08/2023 17:58

If it means you have to work on a whole extra day it would be a no from me. If you could squeeze it round other work I might go with it.