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AIBU?

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AIBU to worry about work opportunity with balance of children

1 reply

User28884995 · 25/02/2026 21:06

I have a 5 yo and an 18 month old. When my 5 yo was 1 I returned to my full time role due to financial necessity. After my second child was born I decided with dh that I would take some more time raising him and being there for my older child around school hours. We can get by financially but not able to add to savings with this set up which we accepted for a few years if that was what it was going to be. I wasn’t sure when the best time to return to work was going to be this time as I have wanted to pause work to focus on raising my children whilst they are little and it has been very much savoured time to have with my younger child which I didn’t have with my older. I have however kept my eye out for opportunities that could work around caring for my children full time and I have found an opportunity which would require me to work 5-10pm two days a week, maybe some more admin time at other times in the week post bedtime. It would mean not being there for bedtime on definitely two days and my husband doing this. He is fine with this and has been supportive of my trying this. I have some worry about being absent for this time/bedtimes in this way at the age they are at the moment but just wondered if I am being unreasonable for this worry. Thanks for any thoughts.

OP posts:
Purpleturtle45 · 25/02/2026 21:47

Bring away 2 evenings a week shouldn't be a cause of concern. That's barely any hours at all over the course of a week so you still have much more time than most with your kids. Are you concerned about their Dad's ability to cope without you?

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