part time or SAHM?

[ZaHaK]

Which one is better and what you do?

I can go part time, pick up the kids 2 days a week and 1 longer day (longer by an hour) so husband picks the kids up that day. Working Tues-Thursday. Not a stressful job and managerial level.

AIBU to give up work when I have the above option?

not sure what I want to do?

I am on maternity leave currently

I think it’s a good idea to have your own income, and ability to support yourself.

Its a no brainer, working part time is the best of both worlds! Keeps you earning, and gives you some downtime with the DC.

Don’t quit work. Keep your own income, plus you’ll have a pension

Depends on your circumstances. I’ve been a SAHM for over a decade with no regrets, but DH was and is absolutely on board, we don’t need my income and our children have additional needs which means they would struggle to cope in any kind of childcare. I have a circle of friends who are also mostly at home, family support and now the kids are older I have various voluntary commitments that give me adult company and a purpose beyond parenting my kids. SAH was absolutely the right thing for our family, but I would only do it in a rock solid marriage, good financial position and with a social circle. SAH works for some people, it’s disastrous for others. If you’re not sure I’d try PT work first and see how it goes - it’s easier to quit a PT job than it would be to find one later if you decide SAH not for you.

I work part time and really feel I've got a good balance. I have my own income, my own pension and I have the flexibility to be able to pick my child up from school, attend concerts and school events easily etc

I love working part time (2 shifts per week) because I get to be me not mum! If it’s a job you enjoy I would keep it like others have said nice to have your own income too.

I was a SAHM but I wouldn't have done it if I had a not too stressful part time job to go back to! I would definitely go part time and not be a SAHM

How old are your children and how even do you split family life with your husband? Could you take extended leave and go back when the baby is 10 months or something? I think it’s always better to stay working if you can.

One is 6 years and one is 10 months, she will be 12 months when I go back. I want to save the holidays I’ve accrued for the nursery bugs if I decide to go back.

I have been part time since my eldest was 1 years old. I think I feel sad to send my DD to nursery hence why I don’t know what to do.

I went back to work part time even though I didn’t want to, as managerial level job locally in my field would have been hard to get again so I was thinking longer term, even though it broke my heart to put my baby in nursery at all at 13 months

Do you regret it? How was she at nursery?

It might depend on the child. My older DC settled into nursery and enjoyed it. He went 3 days a week and was with my DM for the other two days.

My DD absolutely hated nursery. Took ages to settle and couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I was part time at that stage so DD was with me.

I felt that part time was the worst of both worlds. I wasn’t getting it right at work or at home. And as DD was so unhappy I gave up and became a SAHM for a few years.

Had DD been ok at nursery I would have stuck it out, but because she was so miserable we just couldn’t do it to her.