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?

Go for it! You’ll have a great time. I think some people are a bit jealous & trying to put you off.

If your job is secure, I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t take the time off.

Hi! I’m doing something similar this year - taking an extra term and a bit off as unpaid leave at the end of my maternity leave. I wanted more time and it made sense to go back in September rather than mid way through the year for both me and my school. I have it all in writing and have known other teachers who have done it too. If you’re enjoying maternity leave - do it!

Do it. I wish I could have done that. Sending both of my children to nursery at 1 year old was heartbreaking. But we needed the money.

I think my children would have really benefited from being at home most of the time until 2.

I was a Physics teacher OP, we are like gold dust and you have every justification in being confident in your power to keep your job! And a supportive partner is even more valuable. I went back 5.5 months after my son was born because we had a 120% mortgage... and have always regretted it, partly as his first year of childcare was stressful. With my second I went back pt after the 5.5 months, that was better. I think women rarely regret staying home with young kids. I wish I had.

Definitely do it!!! You won’t regret spending time with your little one and you could perhaps do marking or something for a little extra money.

I've only read OP's posts.
In your position, yes I would.

It would be interesting to see how the opinions of those who have already raised their children, or have older ones differ to those who have babies and much younger children.

I would hazard a guess that those of us who are in the "If I had my time again" group are more encouraging of you taking this opportunity.

Eugh, I hope that doesn't sound patronising.

In a heartbeat. Good for you and your baby, and possibly even your finances a bit... maybe

@Midnightafternoons how do you find 3 days?

I wouldn't have to give up THAT much for the year but I do like nice holidays which would need to take a back seat.

We have 75k between us in savings but I don't want to dip into it that much. £500 a month left after all bills/food etc covered.

Oh bloody hell OP- as a maths teacher you’re like gold dust. They’ll be begging for you back.

Do it!! My maternity leave was just coming to an end and luckily, we’re finically secure at the moment, so I quit… not the same but I’m so excited to spend the time with my children. Time we’ll never get back but will desperately want! With my eldest I had to go back after 12 weeks and full time too. I’d do anything now to go back to him as a baby and just be with him. So with these recent babies I’m doing it! You can always make more money, you can’t make more time xxxx

Only thing I can think of is pension but you could look into overpaying when back. If not it sounds like a good opportunity.

Ps we can’t recruit a decent maths teacher in massively densely populated central London!

I would bear in mind that full time with a youngish baby (under one) is very different to full time with an active toddler! I went to work for a break!

@Baabaapurplesheep yeah I suppose I don't know what to expect haha!

Do it. I did without knowing I could go back to a job (I’m also a teacher.)
I have to be careful and I haven’t bought new clothes in ages - vinted is my friend- but whats the point in new clothes when i was just being covered in vomit and now all sorts of toddler mess constantly! Don’t go out much etc but it’s worth it for the extra time with my babies. I know I’m not going to look back and think “wow I wish I’d spent less time with my children and more time marking essays and planning lessons.”
The pension thing is perhaps my only concern, but then part of me thinks anything can happen and I might not make it that far anyway! I’be always been careful with money; I’ll work it out!

I was in the same position with my first child, I desperately wanted to be with my baby for his informative years. I was on good money with a company car, great pension , bonus payments as well and we had good things in our relationship but it all changed when I stopped working. It placed huge pressure on my partner, he ended up working all the hours god sent to make ends meet he got desperately tired, he had no energy at the end of the week for anything and we hardly had any time for each other. Our whole relationship deteriorated

I think 3 days is the perfect balance. I don't think I'd still be teaching if I was full time with 2 young children - the hours of evening/weekend work would be too much. I don't feel exhausted because the most I work in a row is 2 consecutive days before I get a break from it.

I make sure I only work on my 3 working days now, and have 2 proper days off with my youngest and on those days I'm also able to take my eldest to and from school. Weekends are then free for us to spend time together as a family, whereas when I was full time I'd usually have been doing some marking/planning on Sundays.

The only slight negative (other than the 40% drop in pay!) is that my working days change every September depending on the timetable, but it's more than worth it for me to be able to spend more time with the kids.

If you're planning on no more kids, then the pension won't be impacted differently than if you had 2. And you'll have less outlays with only the one. I'd say go for it

You can pay in to your pension yourself.

Absolutely agree! You won’t ever get this precious time back. Do it!

If I could’ve done it I would have definitely. Maybe try it for a few months and if you can survive on just your dh’s money then go for it! Also remember as a teacher you will be able to tutor in evenings and you could even do supply? Or maybe go to work part time. You have so many options. I would love to spend more time with my son so go for it !!

Yes. Oh wait. Let me give a longer answer. "Yes, yes."

Do it! no reason to go back!

Do it. Seriously. Bite their hand off.

I would, without hesitation.