How much should I work to balance motherhood?

[DonutEnvy]

Hi
I had 2 little ones back to back (one is 2 and a half and one is 1 and a half).
I am thinking about going back to work part time.
I am self employed so am paid on a shift by shift basis (healthcare).
Grandparents kindly agreed to watch the kids if I work 1 day a week. I want to do 2 days because this will give me enough to save abit aswell as cover my expenses. The other issue is childcare if I work 2 days a week.

DH has been covering everything in the joint acc and doesn’t mind whether I do 1 or 2 days but Im torn about working with some more independence or work and be at home mainly. Any advice?

I’d do 2 days, you’re still mainly going to be at home for the majority of your time and the extra money sounds like it might be nice

Is your dh paying into your pension while your not working?

what will happen long term with your earning potential?

hope for the best, plan for the worst. If you and dh separate (or died, or became disabled) and you have to support yourself, or fund your old age, will you be able to?

at the minimum you need to be topping up your pension to FTE contributions. If you cannot afford that, then you need to work more.

have you thought about splitting with dh so you both go part time rather than one of you taking the career hit? Then you both have more financial stability should one of you be made redundant/be unable to work. Plus pension equality.

2 days.

I work 2 days together and really enjoy the balance. I don’t have the option of family helping out so use paid childcare which is expensive.
I would recommend 2 days and use family one day and paid childcare the next.

No not been paying into pension whilst I’ve been off work.
Earningi potential wise my job is such that once you’re self employed you’re on a good daily rate anyway so it doesn’t really go up from there whether you work 1 day or 5.

You are right that I should work enough to top up the pension contributions