Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
WineWithAView · 23/08/2023 19:05

I'm in a very similar position to you OP. I work 23 hours a week, over 4 days. Three within school hours and one long day when my mum can have my son after school. DS has ADHD and would struggle with before/after school club.

I've been told by a mortgage advisor that increasing my salary to the equivalent of 3 more hours a week would make a big difference to the amount I could borrow. But it's hard to fit that 3 hours in under my circumstances and I feel we need that free day for appointments, etc.

I think it's a no if it means giving up a day off...?

NIparty · 23/08/2023 19:17

For £260 a month I personally wouldn't if you can survive without it (which at the moment you seem to be), especially with kids. Even more so with kids with additional needs. That amount of money couldn't buy the headspace the day off would.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 19:20

Boomboom22 · 23/08/2023 18:58

Sorry I don't get it. If the childcare is 100 a week plus hassle with appointments, travel etc that's 400+ so how does 260 give you extra?

I’m only talking about my salary. Regardless of what I do we’ll be paying an additional £100 a week.

We can absorb this - we’ll feel it but it’s fine.

I could up my hours and add £260 a month to the pot so would offset the childcare partially.

It’s just whether it’s worth it To lose the day off which I think this thread has helped me see it’s not.

OP posts:
Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 19:22

Wexone · 23/08/2023 18:58

I wouldn't actually ( and clarification I earn more an hour than that ) to me that extra time off would be more valuable than the pay. unless it will benefit immensely long term that extra time would be so beneficial to me to do normal life work with your extra work on top

Alright, no need to brag 😁

As we already have cleaner etc yes, we can’t buy in more ‘luxury’ with that.

OP posts:
Chickenpie35 · 23/08/2023 19:27

Keep your day off. I've had to leave work for one reason being caring for a ND 4 yo and the last year of stress is another. I had 1 day a week between working and uni (mature student) I just couldn't fit it all in all the forms, all the chasing, all the fighting for him is relentless but we have to do it and will never stop doing it. Lost my hair became really unwell and and now I've stepped back and know ill never lose my only day again even though my day wasn't for me it was my house work & shopping & call making an form filling. Our ND kids need that bit extra care and so do we of ourselves xxx

Ennyyy · 23/08/2023 19:30

I agree, it isn't enough to give up a day off. Over a month it's barely anything, I too would choose the day off without a second thought!

Blondeshavemorefun · 23/08/2023 19:31

WineWithAView · 23/08/2023 19:05

I'm in a very similar position to you OP. I work 23 hours a week, over 4 days. Three within school hours and one long day when my mum can have my son after school. DS has ADHD and would struggle with before/after school club.

I've been told by a mortgage advisor that increasing my salary to the equivalent of 3 more hours a week would make a big difference to the amount I could borrow. But it's hard to fit that 3 hours in under my circumstances and I feel we need that free day for appointments, etc.

I think it's a no if it means giving up a day off...?

I would do it for a few months. Show payslips. Get mortgage. Then drop the extra hours

Unless you actually need the 3hrs for the extra payment

Dreamstosell · 23/08/2023 19:33

I work part time term time around one of my children who has ASD / learning disability. I earn less than half of your hourly rate. If I was offered 3 hours a week extra at your salary on my day off - I still wouldn’t do it. A day off is too precious

felisha54 · 23/08/2023 19:34

Nobody can answer what you should do. How much is your time worth? I work 4 days per week, 2 days self employed. If I worked another day I could significantly up my earning but I value my home more.

Jericha · 23/08/2023 19:38

I'm in a very similar position, weighing up increasing by 4 hours a week for an additional £270/m take home. I am only going to do it if I can add them on to the days I already work, I wouldn't give up my day off as I think it's a little "island" in the working week that actually makes more of a difference to my mental health than actually being useful, if that makes sense. Therefore if I were in your position I don't think I would.

GettingOldWithoutStyle · 23/08/2023 19:42

Gosh there's a lot of cattiness. It's a fair question. Personally I wouldn't if you don't need it. Headspace and time to breathe with kids is worth a lot more imo if you are juggling a lot and you can then spend better quality time together as a result. But like I said, depends how much difference it would make. I work 3 days per week, all my kids are very little ATM, I intend to only go up to 4 days when my youngest is full time at school in 4 years time. It's worth it then, but I still want the extra day to keep on top of the house before deciding if it's worth going full time. And for those who will jump on me, I earn less p/h than the OP and my DH earns less than me, it's just come down to outgoings (and we have a mortgage and 3 kids)

shivawn · 23/08/2023 19:47

PleaseGiveMeBackMySummer · 23/08/2023 17:39

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

🙄

Unlikely. £21 an hour is around the £40k a year range? Normal enough wage. Although OP is presumably referring to take home pay so will be on a bit more.

WineWithAView · 23/08/2023 19:55

Thanks @Blondeshavemorefun I thought about that as an option but I've only been in this job for a few months and not sure they'll accommodate that and I don't feel comfortable asking just yet!

ForeverYellow · 23/08/2023 20:12

Keep the day off . I work 4 days a week because as full time it was nearly impossible to have time off to take Ds to medical appointments etc. Factor in any cost to commute , coffees and lunches out if you are tempted and extra work
clothes, possibly a cleaner for a few hours and the extra is eaten up along with your flexibilly - tenuous I know , but that is how I think .

StampOnTheGround · 23/08/2023 20:18

I wouldn't do it if it meant losing your day off.

I work 27 hours a week over 3 days, rather than the 22.5 hours a week if I was doing a normal working day those 3 days. But I wouldn't be working those extra hours if it meant losing any of the days off.

JingsMahBucket · 23/08/2023 22:07

@Merryoldgoat is it possible to do those extra 3 hours a week from home? I don’t know your job but it might be a consideration.

EDIT: If you can’t do it from home then I would possibly skip it. How far away is your workplace and how much petrol would you burn getting there and back? I’d add that into the equation as well.

Oh and ignore the goblin who’s messing with you. You’re not bragging at all, just laying out the facts.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 23/08/2023 22:56

JingsMahBucket · 23/08/2023 22:07

@Merryoldgoat is it possible to do those extra 3 hours a week from home? I don’t know your job but it might be a consideration.

EDIT: If you can’t do it from home then I would possibly skip it. How far away is your workplace and how much petrol would you burn getting there and back? I’d add that into the equation as well.

Oh and ignore the goblin who’s messing with you. You’re not bragging at all, just laying out the facts.

Edited

Goblin ignored - thank you 🤣

I actually MIGHT be able to do it from home - I’d not thought of that…

It’s less than 5 miles to get there so not a significant amount of fuel - I use about a tank a month give or take.

OP posts:
furysocks · 23/08/2023 23:17

Could you trial one extra day a fortnight of 6 hours or slightly less if you need to do school runs. Then you still have one weekday a fortnight free of getting into work mode for appointments, forms, general life admins, less stress if dc are off school sick etc but still get the extra income.

JingsMahBucket · 24/08/2023 07:25

@furysocks that's a really good idea. Essentially batching the work so you still have two days off per month.

ThinWomansBrain · 24/08/2023 07:43

Personally I'd be reluctant to loose a free day each week
be careful if you negotiate the alternate week option - number of weeks/hours, etc. plus if leaving an hour early on the extra day worthwhile - it may be better to negotiate a full extra day on alternate weeks

52 x 26 + 26 x 7 averages to 29.5 hours weekly

Can you figure additional hours in by taking a shorter lunch break and working half hour later?

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 24/08/2023 10:06

@furysocks that’s a good idea too…

@ThinWomansBrain we are paid for lunch breaks so couldn’t do that unfortunately.

Two days I work 9.30 to 2.30 to allow for school Drop off and pickup. It’s quite tight but manageable. I’ve only been late either side 2/3 times.

Two days I work 9.30 to 5.30. PIL used to do these days after school but I am getting a paid person to do this from September.

There is no give in the days I’m there and on my day off I can’t do more than 5 hours.

OP posts:
FUPAgirl · 24/08/2023 10:27

No I wouldn't give up your day 'off' if you don't need to. You have a full on life with the DC and I imagine you really need that day off to catch your breath. I am also renegotiating my hours at the moment as I am working late (unpaid) most days but I will only officially increase my hours if I can work longer days but still only 4 days. I too really need that day off to catch up on admin and get my breath back. Someone criticised your wage, but actually to me that indicates that you have a job that likely carries stress aswell as a stressful home life - I am in the same boat, and its bloody tough to keep yourself a float.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 24/08/2023 10:44

@FUPAgirl Firstly your username is AMAZING

And secondly thank you for your kind words. My job obvious isn’t some high powered nonsense but it is full on and a professional role where I’m expected to be able to contribute meaningfully. You’re right - I’m on leave today and just feeling like I should log on and do a ‘few bits’ to get ahead of next week.

In normal times when boys are at school that day usually gives me time for something I might need like a haircut or just a nap!!

OP posts:
Copperoliverbear · 24/08/2023 11:09

I'd do it.

Copperoliverbear · 24/08/2023 11:10

If you don't need it put it away