Aibu to decline job offer?

[Anono34]

I currently don’t work after coming into some money a few years ago. DH works full time in a hybrid role, but doesn’t have set days at home so does none of the school runs. Since my younger DS started school, I’ve been a bit bored and lonely. I applied for a part time school admin role for 22.5hrs a week and got offered the job. When I confirmed the hours it’s 3 full days 8-4 meaning I would need wrap around care for DS before and after school and now I’m wondering whether to look for a different role with shorter days to allow me to still do the school run or whether to just take this job and suck it up?

How far in advance does your DH know his days in the office? Does he get to decide these or are they mandatory days set by his employer?

I think the point a PP was making was that you can plan it so on his non office days you won't need breakfast / after school club?

Sometimes he knows a long time in advance, sometimes someone will put a meeting in his diary the day before, it really varies. I don’t think drop offs will be much of a problem, it’s the collecting them at 3.15 that would be the issue.

I'm not sure if this is the case anymore
Pre covid all school type jobs were very popular with parents for the obvious reasons - short working hours and long holidays.

Now so many other jobs are more flexible and pay better than education, every school I know of is struggling to hire for all roles - teachers, TAs, cleaners, admin, lunch supervisors etc...

If I didn't need the money I wouldn't put kids in wraparound. I'd make the most of being available for the children . If i did work or volunteer I'd wait to find something with better hours.

TBH if you don't need the money then why put your child in wrap around care? If there's a great advantage to financial independence that has to be choosing what's best all round.

It sounds like you’ve spent at least 7 years working your career around the kids.

So it’s time for your husband to spend few hours sorting out his work or childcare for the 3 days you will be working. You can sort it out for the other 2 days and the entire school holidays.

so it’s a pretty good deal for him.

Why would you sacrifice time with your child to do a job you don’t need? You can’t get that time back!

I don’t really want to sacrifice time with them, the issue is the time in the day when they’re at school. All my friends work full time so I’m on my own from dropping them off to picking them up and I find it quite lonely. I tried a few hobbies (learning Spanish, painting, swimming) but I found it hard to keep myself motivated with them. That’s what I was asking really, do I take this job that’s been offered but then miss out on some time with DS or do I look for something else.

Yes this is another very good reason to take it

Your H can manage his diary going forward - all he needs to do is put school run on the relevant mornings. His meetings can be arranged around that.

I think it would be a great thing for you to do op.

I am another person that wouldn't put our DS into wrap around care if i didn't need the money. I would though, tell DH he needs to arrange his meetings for after school drop off time so he can do the school run when needed.

As well dont you need to block book breakfast club as the places are very sought after?

Reading your updates I wouldn’t take it. Experiment first with other things to do, gym etc or clubs. You don’t need money. Enjoy time will your child small, have play dates etc. there’s no rush. Tbh it’s not the most exciting job, look around for something you like a lot and really want

In your shoes I’d start with an interesting work related qualification for meeting people. Higher pay later on, more stimulating long term