To work or not to work?

[pinkbonbon321]

I have worked part time jobs since my youngest who is 2 was a few months old. I left my most recent job last month as it was causing me too much stress and anxiety, it was the best thing I've done.

I've been offered a couple of part time seasonal jobs. We don't have childcare during the week though and DH finds it hard to try to do any work from home understandably while having our 2 year old. Nursery just doesn't make financial sense, and again we'd struggle in holidays with our eldest too. I could just work weekends.. but I don't know if I want to miss that time with my school age children.

I quite like being available for all school runs/school events (which they always tell us at last minute) and DH not having to worry about childcare when I'm at work.

If I worked 1-2 days I would make around £350-£700 depending. Part of me wants to have that extra money but another doesn't want to lose the time especially with my youngest before she starts school, and with my older ones on a weekend. DH is on board either way really as we don't need the money.

Aibu to turn the seasonal jobs down and just stay home until all kids are at school?

You can’t work at the same time as your husband without childcare.

@LiquoriceAllsorts2 I know, he sometimes tried to work from home while having her just taking the odd call here and there but he says it's just too difficult. Even if we found a place with funding most of them are full price during term time which would mean I would be earning say £70-80 a day and we'd be paying £50 in childcare, x 3 in the holidays with the older children. I don't know what to do.

Any evening jobs available?

@minipie that might be a good solution, I'll keep an eye out!

It’s not a bad thing for them to go to nursery a couple of days a week to get used to being with other children ahead of starting school and you will earn more than you pay.
So working 2 days a week to maintain workplace skills whilst your son goes to nursery is probably beneficial for both of you.
yes you won’t earn much after nursery fees but it will probably help with your future earning potential.

Your family would be £20-£30 a day better off if you took one of the jobs and put your 2 year old in nursery (as you've discovered, it's not practical for DH to work and look after a toddler).
You'd gain experience which would help you gain more/higher paid employment when your children are older.

You can minimise holiday care needed for the older children by covering as much as possible between yourself and DH and then offering reciprocal childcare with friends.

Can you find some remote work you can do in evenings and weekends?

It's not realistic to WFH and care for a two year old.

Enjoy this precious time with your youngest before she starts school. You’ll never get that time back

It sounds like you don't really want to work.

So the question is - how much does your family need the money?

An evening job?
When my first DD was 2 I got a job for 3 hours a night doing cleaning in the local school, it meant I didn't miss anything with her, still had my weekends and I got a couple hours a night of not being just mum. DH got home from work and I left, he fed and bathed her and I was home just in time for her bedtime.

We don't "need" the money per se. We'd manage without it absolutely fine but obviously extra money is always nice.
I think and evening job might be a solution, it's just finding an evening job that don't want you to work weekend days too like pubs etc will do!

@mummaoftwogirls that sounds ideal!

@pinkbonbon321 it really was, have a look for jobs with your local council that's where I found mine. I was able to choose wether I wanted early morning hours or late evening they were very flexible

When my children were little I worked 3 nights a week in local pubs. Babies didn't even know I was out, but I could socialise and earn money for the family ... result!

if you dont need the money , and dont want to....
make sure pensions etc are in order and live for what you want .life is shirt