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Sacrifice my job for a job DH doesn't have yet?

85 replies

BombyliusMajor · 15/05/2020 17:13

I can't work out what is reasonable and what is not anymore - please help me sort out what we should consider doing in this situation!

We have a 2.5 year old DS who normally attends nursery full time. I work 3 days a week at a job I really love and which is very fulfilling and meaningful to me. I trained a long time to be able to do the work. Although the nature of my job means I am unable to work from home with a child in the throes of the terrible 2s, I have not been furloughed (I think because my manager thinks it makes our department look better to say everyone's working). My colleagues without children and with private space at home have been able to keep working at about 80% capacity. I'm doing bits and pieces of admin, but I'm not really 'earning my keep' work-wise, and if nurseries don't reopen properly until September or beyond, I'll be for the chop, without a doubt.

My DH lost his contract (self-employed through a limited company) at the end of March and has been looking for work with no success ever since. He's been having several interviews a week, but the jobs keep being pulled because of hiring freezes. Each interview is about 4 hours long, and involves hours of technical tasks to do in advance. Trying to get a job in his field is more or less a full time job in itself. He is finding this all extremely stressful, and I am finding it very hard keeping our DS quietly occupied while the interviews go on upstairs in our relatively small house.

In normal circumstances, my DH earns about 7 times as much as I do. If he were in work, I would accept that my job had to take the hit and I would ask to be furloughed.

However, my workplace is re-opening around the end of May and want me go in to the office where I could return to some of my normal duties. There might full-time work if I wanted it, and though it would be very tight, we could live on that salary. As my DS's nursery looks extremely unlikely to be up and running on 1 June, I have asked DH if he would consider doing childcare 2 days a week in the first instance, so I can return to some productivity at work. He doesn't think this makes sense, saying the best way I can support the family is to look after DS while he finds another job, as he has the far greater earning potential.

I do get that. But, given that the economy is about to tank like never before in living memory, though, there is every chance that he might not find a job for months; it seems daft to me to risk the one income we do have when there is an adult at home who could look after DS.

My job is with a reputable organisation that will survive the pandemic with no trouble. Good pension, good benefits. I just worry that if I throw it over and DH is unemployed for the next year or whatever I will really regret it and probably be very resentful.

What should we do? Is a job in hand worth 2 in the bush, so to speak Grin? I am so stressed I don't feel like I can think clearly about it anymore.

OP posts:
TARSCOUT · 15/05/2020 17:18

Can you work flexible days at work so you could work on days he has no interviews. He can't possibly have interviews every day. If he did I would be really worried that he didn't yet have a job!

changeagainandagain · 15/05/2020 17:19

If I was in your situation I'd be going back to work ASAP before you end up with no jobs between you.

His earning potential maybe 7 times yours but it's 7 time nothing right now, and you have to keep your job which you clearly love.

Right now it's not about future earning potential
It's about earning full stop.

Windyatthebeach · 15/05/2020 17:21

7 times your wage right now is zero.
Keep your job op.

Ozzie9523 · 15/05/2020 17:21

I’d definitely keep your job, that’s a no brainer to me. He can work his interviews around childcare.

Cornettoninja · 15/05/2020 17:22

I agree with you. It’s all very well him having earning potential but that’s not putting money in the bank. If it takes longer than he’s estimating (and who can truly say right now) you being in a position to take up full time hours might be your households saving grace.

Childcare might not be back in full swing in June but you might be able to get some hours or maybe look into a childminder? Either way there are ways around childcare and I think it would be reckless to willingly lose a stream of actual income.

junebug21 · 15/05/2020 17:25

If he is capable of working in an environment that earns 7 times what you earn...then he is capable of looking for a job whilst looking after a 2yr old!! Keep your job OP! He is trying to opt out of parenting imo!!

Olliephaunt4eyes · 15/05/2020 17:25

You need to keep your job. Your DH doesn't know what will happen with his job hunt.

mummmy2017 · 15/05/2020 17:28

Remind him , if he is jobless and you give up your job, you can't even claim UC.
So tell him , he WILL be parenting his own child.

MrsSpenserGregson · 15/05/2020 17:39

Keep your job, go back in June with DH looking after your child 2 days per week initially. If you get offered full-time hours, and/or if your DH gets another job, reassess at that point. But don't throw away your job now. It sounds like a good one, you've worked hard for it, you enjoy it, and it brings in money! And you're contributing to your pension.

BombyliusMajor · 15/05/2020 17:39

I am really glad to hear these replies - my DH seems to think it would be insane to jeopardise his job search for my piddling part time job.

OP posts:
Sandybval · 15/05/2020 17:42

Keep your job, honestly.

Tappering · 15/05/2020 17:43

Sounds like your 'D'H needs a reminder that your piddling part time job is the one that's paying the bills right now. So perhaps it's not so piddling after all.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 15/05/2020 17:45

He can prep for interviews at the weekend and days you aren't working.

2bazookas · 15/05/2020 17:45

" He's been having several interviews a week, but the jobs keep being pulled because of hiring freezes. Each interview is about 4 hours long, and involves hours of technical tasks to do in advance."

Really?

Quite sure he's not playing Minecraft while you mind DD, cook  etc?
frazzledasarock · 15/05/2020 17:46

How long has he been into his job search?

Why can’t he look after his child in between interviews? What’s several interviews a week? He isn’t clocking up a four hour interview every single day is he?

If he earns seven times your earning why is he unable to take care of his own child when not attending interviews?

You’d be crazy to give up your real job for a theoretical one your DH might get.

What does he do on days he’s not doing these epic interviews?

Branleuse · 15/05/2020 17:46

Your husband is being incredibly disrespectful about your work. I bet he thinks its a bit of pin money for you. Its something youve trained hard for and love. Youd be mad to give it up. Who the hell does he think he is

Rainycloudyday · 15/05/2020 17:48

You should absolutely be prioritising keeping your job which, you know, actually exists. He can job hunt around parenting his own child. Unless there’s a danger of that denying his masculinity in which case of course his family should have zero income to live on which he sits at the computer looking cor a job Hmm

Chloemol · 15/05/2020 17:48

Go back to work, he can look after he child as you wish, giving him three days to do his prep etc plus weekends if necessary. As you say no one knows what’s going to happen with the economy. It’s better to have at least one of you working full time

Rainycloudyday · 15/05/2020 17:49

*denting

Cornettoninja · 15/05/2020 17:49

It’s probably a good thing he’s confident but he also needs to be realistic. What’s the point of you both being unemployed?

I don’t want to piss on his parade but it’s more likely childcare is going to be available before he gets another job....

InfiniteSheldon · 15/05/2020 17:49

You are not second best your career is not second best you have facilitated his career so far now he can facilitate yours and he will have to wait til Lockdown is over if he can't manage childcare and interviews. Do not sacrifice your dreams and a job your love. The money is irrelevant.

cakeandchampagne · 15/05/2020 17:50

Keep that “very fulfilling and meaningful” job you “really love”!
Mr. 7 times is at zero right now, but not because of you.

Bakeachocolatecaketoday · 15/05/2020 17:54

It's worth bearing in mind that may contractors can find the next job hard to find. I hired a lady about 4 years ago now. Her husband had finished one contract and was looking for the next one - so she needed some work to keep the household going. He found a job about 9 months ago - he was out of work 3 years and 3 months.....

tokirara · 15/05/2020 17:57

I think OP is saying that "several interviews a week" mean that DH would have to decline interviews on the days that OP has to go in to work.

It's a no-brainer though - clearly the chances of landing a job are slim at the moment, I agree with other posters - you should go back to work and he just has to attend interviews around that.

changeagainandagain · 15/05/2020 18:03

Sorry but this kind of career sexism just drives me to distraction!

Please don't loose your job because of his lack of support, he's putting himself and some misplaced male pride above the reality of the fact he's earning noting right now.

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