To want to give up work

[sweetblue]

I've been off work for 2 weeks and I've absolutely loved it. So much so that I just really don't want to go back.

I know annual leave is obviously meant to be enjoyable, but it has put so many things into perspective for me. For context, I have 1 DC who is special needs. I've been able to take him and pick him up from school and be there for him as much as he needs me. I've not had to rely on anybody whatsoever to be there when I physically can't because of work. E.g. he had an accident the other day at school and I was able to be there for him and comfort him when he needed it. I've never been able to do this before and it meant so much that I could be there in that moment. And I know that doesn't sound like anything special or major but it was to me.

Whilst he's been at school I've been able to keep the house in order etc and I feel we've all benefitted so much from the small things that I wouldn't have been able to do whilst working full time. Overall I am much happier. Much less stressed and ultimately have much more patience with DS as a result which is needed as he can be challenging.

AIBU to consider it?

Not unreasonable at all. Children come first and if you feel you can be a better parent (I'm assuming this from the comment about having more time and patience with DC) then go for it.

The novelty would soon wear off OP. You will be bored out of your skull and craving to stimulate your brain.

Fellow SEN parent carer here. YADNBU. Additional care needs, paperwork, calls, emails, research…it’s a full time job in itself in my experience.

If you’d be relying on a partner to support you then I think you need to speak to them not Mumsnet.

If you’d be relying on the taxpayer then the payments really aren’t much to live on.

The other thing is that there’s a big spectrum between working FT and not working at all. You could try something in the middle - 2-3 days a week.

@sweetblue
i love what i do, but if i had the bank balance available eg £500,000 then i would retire and focus more on my self-development and projects.

Of course your not being unreasonable, I found our entire family life improved massively when I just dropped my hours down

I was a SAHM for 19 years. 2 DC with additional needs, 1 medical and 1 severely disabled. Whilst it was great being able to be there when they needed me, I lost my identity and my "voice". I was a carer 24/7 and was invisible to many, including now ex DH. I managed to do a degree when DC were older and now they are in their 20's and living elsewhere, I am back in full time employment. I Need the contact with people, didn't realise how important that was. Sure I spoke to lots of people whilst a SAHM but it was all medical professionals or social services or other parents with SEN kids. So I would say go part time. My career prospects are not great after being out for 19 years. I could have been so much more!! 😢