AIBU to take another year off work?

[Animallover87]

I'm currently half way through mat leave with my first (and only) baby.

I've been offered the opportunity to take another (unpaid) year from my company. It won't in any way affect my job prospects afterwards and I would slot back into the same job.

My DH is happy for me to do this and can cover all the bills on his salary but there isn't much left to spare afterwards so we'd need to tighten our belts but it's definitely doable.

I would rather look after my baby myself for another year than send him to childcare (no family support)

Would you do it?

@Bubbleohseven completely agree, personally I think it makes it more palatable that 80% of your wages go on childcare if you think you'd never get a job if you left. I definitely think it's a big hit to take time out, it's not easy but it didn't take me long to be in a better position than if I'd stayed in my old job. Plus the time with the kids, it was great. Plus did so many things and met so many people, I know some people found it boring but I never got bored, not until I was in the house on my own all day when they went to school then I got a full time job.

Yh I agree to a certain extent. For some careers you need to stay in as the pathway upwards is fairly set and rigid, but people my age (early thirties) are going to be working for so long and people have such an open and flexible attitude to restraining and moving around now, I do wonder if it will change people's attitude to staying in work/full time hours during the early years.

Do it OP. My only reservations would have been if your DH wasn’t supportive, if your job wasn’t guaranteed or if you really didn’t want to spend longer off! I also teach and I’m sad to say it’s a job that has taken me away from quality time with my own children and family far too much. My thinking is they’re only this age once, especially if this is your only child. Some skip back to work which I can also understand with little ones but some also absolutely love the time off.

Pick up the private tutoring and stay at home. That way you will have a few pound for you. I think teaching is particularly harsh job when you have small kids as you can’t take random days off for children’s illness etc.

In a heart beat. In fact I took 10 years off and just retired at 60.

Go for it. Maybe look into making extra contributions to your pension at a later stage if that's possible.

I'd go for it OP. I'm a sahm with a 20mo and this second year has been wonderful - my dc is starting to chatter and really interact at toddler classes and at different activities like soft play and swimming. She really benefits from the one to one attention yet she's just starting to socialise with other dcs too. For me I feel she's too young to be going off to nursery right now but after September she'll be ready for pre-school so another year off is perfect.

And qualified teachers are hugely in demand and you have a great pension, so I don't think you need to worry about missing another year.

I'm not convinced that taking 5 years out is the kiss of death to a woman's career as we've been told it is.

Depends on the career. I'd struggle to recover from that. But teaching is much more resilient for things like this.

Yes absolutely, in a heartbeat.

I would want details on whether you would be given ‘your’ or an equivalent job and hours after the break, at the same school.

Where I work mat leave and ‘career breaks’ are different, with the latter having no ‘right of return’.

I’d do it if you can get some other work to supplement your income enough to keep your pension up. Also do you have a plan B if something happens with DHs job? Can you go back early or get relief work if you need to?

100%! I’m still at home with my nearly 3 year old (rural location, lack of childcare and not worth cost/hassle versus earnings) and I wouldn’t change it for anything. I know not everybody is in a position to do it, but if you are and you want to you definitely should. Take the time. You won’t get it again.

Yes absolutely, sounds a wonderful opportunity!

I’m currently taking a sabbatical from teaching and my DC is 2. I have got written agreement that I can return at an agreed date and to an agreed role, which is important as PPs have said. I understand the concerns PPs have about pensions and I was worried about not making contributions for the time I was off. I would highly recommend speaking to Wesleyan and just chatting through your pension with them as I have just done this (it was a free service) and it was so helpful. Teachers’ pensions don’t just work on the basis of the more contributions the better. Each individual’s year’s service and previous roles, whether you have final salary and/or career average benefits will all have different impacts, as well as how long you end up being out of service. Taking a couple of years can have a different impact than taking 5+ years. In my case, my pension would actually benefit if I was out for 5 years. Aside from the financial side of things, I can definitely say I’ve enjoyed the extra time with my DC and the headspace that it’s provided as well.

100% do it! A year isn’t long in the grand scheme of things but it’s such a precious time for you, you'll never this time back so totally worth it.

100% do it. Now that it has been offered to you you will always regret it if you don't accept it.

Do what works for you. Everyone else’s opinion and experiences are their own
I went back to work because it was important to me.
To be fair, you might go back to the same position, but everyone and everything will change at work, so just be prepared

YES

Do it!

In that situation yes I’d consider it to spend longer with my child and as childcare so expensive. I’m not sure I’d be at my best with 2 whole years off, I do like the variety and stimulation offers which may be hard to find elsewhere dependent on your OHs hours. Part time is a good option too

yes I would do it. Without a second thought tbh, if we could manage financially.

In a heartbeat yes.

I absolutely would if I could! Due to go back to work from mat leave soon and absolutely dreading it and heartbroken to have to leave my baby 4 days a week, especially when I don’t think we will be financially better financially off however I need to unfortunately

Absolutely! You want to look after your own child, your job is secure, your partner is supportive and you can afford it. The best place for your baby to be is with you, and babies only get more fun as they grow and turn into toddlers. One year of tightening your belts a little bit is definitely worth it.

1 extra year off, i.e. 1 years less pension contributions out of 40 odd working years, will barely impact your pension.