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AIBU?

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AIBU to stay very part time when childcare costs make work unviable?

51 replies

Lazyperson · 04/10/2026 21:18

I am currently 0.4, so two days a week. Always thought I’d work more when youngest starts school next September but having just done the costs for after school club and breakfast club for two children even for three days a week it would mean I was working for very little.

It hardly seems worth it. And it would be a stress.

The only real consideration is pension but have quite a big chunk so not really concerned about that. Also, I’m not interested in a career.

So - AIBU to stay very part time and semi live a life of leisure?

OP posts:
Apacketofbiscuitsaday · 05/10/2026 08:39

Lazyperson · 04/10/2026 22:02

Ouch.

I will answer that as honestly as possible whilst also stating that this is a provocative post and could have been phrased in a way that expressed the overall meaning without resorting to insults (even implied ones.)

So - do I miss the intellectual stimulation? No. I do not get this at work. Work is actually very dull a lot of the time. I do like some of the people I work with and would call them friends but do I go to work and have lively discussions about topical issues, no. By contrast I would ironically be able to develop those sorts of interests much more at home. So if it is an interest in art history or French literature or watercolour paintings we’re about that is not going to happen at work!

I do very little lazing about and have and would volunteered to read at DCs school, worked with a local toddler group and would continue to do so and could perhaps do a bit more, but I don’t feel my existence needs justifying in itself through work, paid or otherwise. I don’t feel this about anybody tbh.

I think the best example I can set to my children is to be a human being who hopefully they see as strong and capable and also caring and kind and grow up to be the same. This can happen at work but also outside of it.

Agreed 👏

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