I am currently on mat leave with my 8 month old DD and due to return to work in June. I also have a DS who is 2.5 years and currently at nursery 3 days a week. We are relocating from Oxfordshire to south Norfolk soon for a variety of reasons. I have a high level job in Oxford and was full-time, but I was prepared to give it up due to the relocation and knowing I didn’t want a full time job because I want to spend more time with the kids. Not expecting anything, I asked my work if they would consider letting me work 3 days a week with a job share and more remotely than at present. I was fully prepared for a rejection and to hand in my notice. However, to my surprise, they said yes.
I don’t know whether to reject the job and be a SAHM until both the kids are in school, or accept the job. I love being a mum but i used to enjoy the job too. I am lucky enough that we could live frugally but relatively comfortably on my husband’s salary for a few years and he prefers this option because he feels bad about putting the kids in nursery (my DS went full time when I returned to work after having him and it was hard on everyone as he is a very sensitive boy). Also there are limited childcare options near our new home because it’s rural - the nearest nurseries would involve an hour’s commute (DH and i both work mostly from home) so we would have to suck that up 3 days a week or use childminders or a combination of preschool in term time for DS and childminders in the school holidays. We do not have family who can help with childcare.
No doubt if i took the job there would be a level of work stress and working extra on top of my part time hours, but it’s a great job and well paid. We would use the money to save, pay off the mortgage and have some nicer holidays. I don’t fancy the 3hr approx commute to Oxford though, which I would have to do once every 2-3 weeks, possibly with an overnight stay.
I don’t know any SAHM and worry that I will miss the mental stimulation and social interaction if i choose this option. But i would love the opportunity to be with the kids, going to groups and doing activities at home. My boy could attend the local preschool part time too, which i think would be good for him, and i could look after him in the school holidays (there are no holiday clubs at this school).
If i did choose to be a SAHM, I am relatively confident that i can regain my career when I want to. I am not 100% career focused and definitely more on the ‘work to live’ side than ‘live to work’ but I did enjoy the job and jobs like this don’t come along often, it’s the first job I have ever enjoyed and I worked hard to get it. I have looked into other part time opportunities nearer the new house but it’s hard to get anything high paid when working part time in my sector.
I can see pros and cons either way, I just don’t know what option to pick and I have to let work know in the next few days. Grateful for any insights please!