A year off work?

[Travelfairy]

I have been off work for a year. I have 2 dc, one with additional needs. DH works away about 50% of the time. By 'away' i don't mean within UK, I mean US, Asia etc
I have really enjoyed being off this past year. I feel the children have benefited. Work have given me the option of extending by a year (after I asked them).
Financially we can probably manage it and I am going to be childminding a few hours a week which will be some pocket money.
Would you take the year off?
I am sort of at a crossroads in my career, I dont know whether to retrain as something else or when I return to my current job to go for any promotions available etc (I previously didnt as I didnt want more responsibility as I like to travel with my DH as often as possible. I am in my current job 9 years.
Should I take the year out?
YABU -no
Yanbu -yes

How much would you need to return to your job, and is someone covering it at the moment?

My concern would be if you’re off for two years they realise they don’t need your role and you don’t have a job to return to

I'd need more than 'probably manage it' and 'pocket money'. How is that going to look?

How much will you need the money after this year? Is DH paying into your pension?

I did that with my work. Best decision ever.

Yeah, I'd do it, but then I took 17 years off work to raise my kids! But if you can afford it and you want to do it, go for it.

Why are you off work for a year? Signed off? Sabbatical? Can you do a different job when not in your main job?

I think you should take a more detailed look at your finances before making a decision. I would absolutely prioritise time with my kids but wouldn't be taking extended time off work on the basis that we could "probably" manage it.

If I could afford it (but I mean really afford it) I would. You never get these glorious younger years back. But it’s absolutely no fun being skint.

Yes, but make sure your pension contributions are kept up to date, both state and private.

I would take another year off if I could manage financially.

The fact that you are not rushing back to work is telling.

Oh no they definitely need me, someone was hired to cover my role.

We will manage it, as in bills/mortgage etc its just the holidays might take a hit but we soent 38k on holidays this year so we probably need to get a grip with that anyway 😀 🙈

I worked throughout my kids childhood and if I could take it back, I would. You don't get the time back.

No my pension is paused til I return. We do have other plans for pension though so that's not a big deal.

Did you find it hard going back after 17 years?

Good to hear thank you

That’s a lot of money on holidays. If you have that much spare then you sound like you’ll be fine and if you feel you’d benefit from another year then take it.

Yes thats my thoughts tbh

Thank you. Yes we can still have a holiday next year, just not several extravagant ones

You spent £38k on holidays in 12 months but didn’t pay into your pension? I think you need proper financial advice as that is bonkers

Yes, you don't get that time back with your kids, but you also don't get that the back to put in your pension pot/savings for retirement and that also comes around fast. People say that they would spend all their time with the kids, but it isn't good for them when you are old and penniless either.

That doesnt they need you, you are replaceable, otherwise they wouldn't let you have two years off.
But if you can afford it and it's what you want then go for it.

I wouldn’t. I didn’t train for so many years to rely on a man or work for ‘pocket money’.

I would do it if I had that option (but I'd need some form of money for myself over the year to consider it which I guess could be the 'pocketmoney' you might earn).

38k on holidays 😭🤣