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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To consider taking this job opportunity?

5 replies

JobDilemma2024 · 15/02/2024 22:19

I've been approached about a job opportunity that sounds pretty exciting, but I'm not sure if it'd be fair on DS (and DH, I guess) to take it.

Job background: I've pretty much got as far as I'll get up the ladder in my current workplace. There's a couple of management level posts above where I am but no guarantee of them coming available any time soon. I work 3 days and have 2 days off during the week for family. Nothing in my contract saying I can't work elsewhere and a lot of people do work for more than one company.

The opportunity: For more money than I'd get just upping my hours in my existing job, I could work 2 days per week for a second company, with good leave entitlement, better WFH options (still in the office most of the time but could do one week per month WFH), options to develop in a different part of the field I work in which could be beneficial in the longer term, etc.

The attractions are: the money (I'll be honest, it's a factor - it would be very useful!), the opportunity to develop my CV (I feel like I've not really done much, career-wise, in the past few years), and the job itself looks interesting and different enough from my current one that it wouldn't feel too same-y.

But... DS is 2. He goes to nursery 3 days per week already and would need to go up to 5 days (or potentially just 4 if DH changed some things around with his work - he's got options for compressed hours which has worked out ok in the past). I'd miss DS a lot - I love our days together and I think he likes them too. And I'd worry that 5 days in nursery feels a lot for a 2 year old. Part of me thinks that the long-term advantages in terms of financial security and what that could mean for DS means it's worth giving up those days together (we'd still have weekends of course) but another part of me thinks this is just me being selfish and putting my own wants ahead of DS and DH.

We don't 'need' the extra money. It would be welcome, of course it would, but we're ok without it. And it's not a 'once in a lifetime ' thing either - jobs like this don't come up often, but there could well be similar opportunities in a few years (but then I'll be older, have spent longer stagnating where I am professionally, and potentially be a less attractive candidate). And then I think, am I trying to talk myself out of what could be a really good career move?

YABU = stay with the current situation and hope something comes up in a few years time

YANBU = go for it

OP posts:
Shoxfordian · 15/02/2024 22:22

I think you should go for it, he'll be fine in nursery and off to school in a couple of years when there's no guarantee of a similar opportunity arising

Begaydocrime94 · 16/02/2024 07:23

I think it depends how well you cope with full time. I had a similar situation to you recently, 3 days in existing job and was offered 1.5 days additionally in a separate role working on a project, WFH possible etc. I accepted it and have no regrets really BUT I do miss my 2 days off!!
i guess if the money and career experience make it worthwhile do it but you may miss the time spent with your son! Then again I suppose you could just quit the second job xx

MumMumMumMumMumMumMum · 16/02/2024 07:25

If you don't need the money I wouldn't do it. Time is precious with little ones. This won't be the only opportunity you ever get.

BeardieWeirdie · 16/02/2024 07:28

Can your husband cut some hours so he can be with your son more until he’s in school?
Once he’s in school, early finishes are better than whole days off.

Ricardo01 · 05/04/2024 20:52

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