Job offer...

[LiveLifeToTheFull2]

I need some outside insight to my situation because I think I'm probably being an over thinker...🤔

Currently in a job I hate, boring, minimum wage, and no job satisfaction. BUT it's convenient. 2 days a week 9-2 although the boss is always messaging me to ask me to do extra days.

Applied for a job I am qualified to do (a job I did for 15 years prior to kids and always wanted to go back to one day)
They offered me the job. Great, it's a job I love, was good at, qualified to do with great job satisfaction. And it's £2 an hour more than I'm on now.
Here comes the BUT... 🙊

I wanted to do 2 days a week, after the interview we agreed 3 days 9-3.
Now manager has back tracked and said they ideally need someone mon - Friday. I said I can't do that so we've compromised on Tuesday-Fridays 9-2. So that's 4 days.
2 days more than I wanted but it's the dream
Job! Manager agreed I could do 3 days in school holidays (see below)

Manager also said I would be required to cover the odd full weeks holiday of other member of staff even if it did fall in school holidays.

My main worry is my DS, I always said I never wanted to miss out on any time with him when growing up, I don't financially have to work. But I WANT to, it's independence and give me something other than just being 'mum'.
WWYD?
And I over thinking?
Will I regret working 3 days during the school hols when I currently work 2 at my crappy current job?

Or should I take the plunge?

Any advice really appreciated. Thanks ☺️

How old is DS?

To be honest I think anything that gives you better financial independence is a good thing.

Many mums are working house hours or more and survive. That’s not to say it’s not knackering!!!

Sorry DS is 7 😀

When you say you don't have to work what do you mean?

How are you supported financially?

I'd want something in writing re the hours before I'd accept. I'd also check whether it's just one other member of staff you might need to do full weeks holiday cover, if they also have kids then they're likely to want to take time off in school holidays too. And I'd also think how I'd cover holiday childcare. But with those caveats I'd go for it, you sound really excited! I think it's good to do something you want for you and its also good for your child to see you following that.

Husband has a very well paid job so since having my son it's been my choice whether to return to work or not.

Personally I would use this financial freedom to retrain and further my job prospects beyond minimum/just above minimum wage jobs.

What is your background regarding education and training? Do you have any desire to further your prospects?

I wouldn't be happy about the vague you migjt have to cover full weeks thing, that leaves you massively exposed to looking unreasonable if they suddenly ask you to do 5 days a week cover over the summer holidays as people are off and you say no.

I don't 'have' to work either but I do for the same reasons as you so I get the very privileged dilemma you are having.

Honestly .. I would like others say get it in writing … It depends on the job .. Is this a job you are likely to get the hours you want elsewhere …

Are there similar positions … I am also inclined to take it .. You are in the fortunate position you can quit if it doesn’t work out …

There is one other member of staff so it would be covering her holidays which would be 5 weeks of the year?

For context I went for another part time interview for the same job role and they wanted 4 days 9-6 so t he is is a much better deal than that and I much preferred the workplace when I was shown around

I agree with this^^

I wouldn't take the job based on what you've said tbh. But since it's a dream job, I don't know...

I'd grab it with both hands. It's something you want to do, it's better paid than what you do now, and it enables you to do school runs (I am assuming). So on a day to day basis you miss no time with your child, and you get to build your career, pension etc etc. Even 5days a week it's still essentially "invisible" in that regard, so if you are covering your colleague outside of school hols that's not a big deal surely? It seems your main concern is the school holidays to cover? At 7, there should be lots of fun holiday club/activities your child would be able to try, especially over school hours. Most of the time you'll take your leave in school hols anyway, then some hol clubs, maybe some reciprocal playdates, it's really very different to a 4yr old in reception.

This makes so much sense thank you.
I also forgot to add that when my son is in school holidays I am lucky to have both parents on mine and my husbands side to have him and do fun things with him in the holidays when I'm working.
It's more the guilt I can't shake off feeling I should be with him making the most of every moment when he's growing up.

I would absolutely take it. Yes childhood is short, but you are spending lots of time with him and he’s well cared for when you are at work in the holidays. A time will come when he is grown and it’s so important to have a life beyond motherhood.

I'd be super wary of their approach to your hours.

You said what you wanted - they said they wanted full time. Then once you'd agreed a compromise, they immediately started inching closer to what they wanted.

Big red flag IMO.

I would not go to a company that lied to me before I'd even started.

Agree with pp. HUGE ⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️⛳️

I do really agree with others in getting the "cover" really clearly defined though (how much notice you need etc)
But untilmately give it a go, and if it doesn't work out, you can always leave. You've said you don't have to work so you have the freedom to try.
But you need give yourself the chance and don't apply a notional judgement. It's a good thing to model being a woman who works. For loads of reasons. And that doesn't have to be straight from maternity, or any other specific timeline, but with a 7 yr.old they'll appreciate the fact that adults work, and have skills that add value in the world outside of the ones they see in your parenting.