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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you’d bother doing this job with a toddler?

50 replies

Happppen · 31/05/2025 11:56

I’ve been in two minds about going back to work and ds is 3 in august. I’ve been offered a job to start in august which is 9am to 4pm, Monday to friday, take home pay is 4,300 after tax. I can only work from home one afternoon a week. They won’t reduce the days, so it’s this offer or nothing.

I would be able to collect ds at 4:25 and be home for 4:45 with him each day.

We don’t need the money but equally we would be able to do loads more if I went back to work. At the moment we budget a lot. I’m also a bit bored at home. I wonder if it’s fair on ds and whether this is even a good deal in the sense that I have to work every day of the week. What would you do?

OP posts:
Gundogday · 31/05/2025 11:57

Sounds like a good deal to me.

rubyslippers · 31/05/2025 11:59

Of course you should take it

ZiggyPlaysGuitarrr · 31/05/2025 11:59

That's decent money for less than full time hours. Sounds great to me.

MyUmberSeal · 31/05/2025 11:59

For an extra 4.3k a month, I absolutely would. No question. You son will be in full time education in a yea or two. Get earning and it will likely cure the monotony of being at home too.

AtLeastThreeDrinks · 31/05/2025 12:02

With a 3 year old and for that much cash I would take it. Doesn’t sound like too long a day for him and most 3 year olds like being with other kids for the day. Only you know how your son will cope though.

Whiteflowerscreed · 31/05/2025 12:04

Take the job

jeaux90 · 31/05/2025 12:08

Do it. You also need to consider your pension contributions so another reason to go back.

Totallytoti · 31/05/2025 12:10

Definitely do it op. He’s 3 and that’s a nice amount of time for him to be busy and having a good routine too. It’s incredibly hard and min numbing boring to occupy a 3yo.
im starting my own 3yo in a FT position soon too.

TokyoSushi · 31/05/2025 12:12

£4.3K take home is loads, especially with those hours, definitely do it!

HollyBollyBooBoo · 31/05/2025 12:14

Amazing deal! If you don’t take the job can you recommend me for it please?!

MrsTWH · 31/05/2025 12:15

Absolutely take it!!

creapie · 31/05/2025 12:17

Assuming DS will be in a nursery or with a childminder, it will be great for his social skills and give him a change of scenery too.

goo for it!

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 31/05/2025 12:17

That's an amazing salary for those hours, 100% take it! What is making you doubt taking it?

SunshineAndFizz · 31/05/2025 12:21

Definitely go for it. That’s not a long day for him at nursery/childcare. You’ll be even more bored when he’s at pre school and then school. And the extra money will allow you to do loads more with him.

Original poster
Happppen · 31/05/2025 12:24

I feel like it’s quite a long day as will have to drop him off at 5 to 8 in the morning! So he’s basically going to be there 8am to 4:30 pretty much. I feel so guilty about it.

OP posts:
jeaux90 · 31/05/2025 12:46

Don’t feel guilty he’s the right age and will probably love it and learn loads. You are doing the right thing also by yourself and building back up some financial independence/protection.

FedupofArsenalgame · 31/05/2025 12:49

Happppen · 31/05/2025 12:24

I feel like it’s quite a long day as will have to drop him off at 5 to 8 in the morning! So he’s basically going to be there 8am to 4:30 pretty much. I feel so guilty about it.

Why? My DS did those hours from 7 months. He's now a fully functioning adults with no issues from it

Zanatdy · 31/05/2025 12:51

That’s not a long day really. Mine were there until 5.30 most days.

RuthW · 31/05/2025 12:53

Is that per year or month?

AnotherName2025 · 31/05/2025 13:03

What is the job? What are the chances of you getting a similar one in 18 months?

He's 3, that's not that long a day at Nursery, he's not going down a mine.

However, I wouldn't want to lose the year I'd planned before he starts school & you're ever more tied into school.

So it would have had to be my dream career opportunity for me to even have considered it.

i don't know what you mean about the money, it seems like a good part time wage to me.

Comedycook · 31/05/2025 13:04

I'd love to know what job pays that much for those hours

overwork · 31/05/2025 13:09

Yes, I absolutely would. I currently ‘bother’ to do a FT job with a younger toddler for far less than that

ouch321 · 31/05/2025 13:12

RuthW · 31/05/2025 12:53

Is that per year or month?

Per week most likely given that this is Mumsnet and no one on here earns less than 100k annually.
Alternatively ragebait, fantasies. Take your pick...

Catsandcannedbeans · 31/05/2025 13:22

It’s a long day, but with that extra money think of all the fun things you’ll be able to do with him that are out of budget now. I put DS3 in nursery two days a week so I can clean and tutor from home, I did feel bad at first but he loves it. I also feel a lot more like myself now I’m working more consistently again and getting to talk to more adults (and even older children to be honest). It will be good for you.

WaltzingWaters · 31/05/2025 13:24

For me it depends what industry you’re in and how easy it’ll be to find another job with similar salary once DS starts school. I couldn’t do full time with a toddler and hardly see them unless I absolutely had to as this time is so precious. But it is a very good salary and will be great hours to work around wrap around care once he is in school.

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