Would you take a full-time job despite parenting guilt?

[Thefrozenone]

Wasn’t sure where to post but it relates mostly to my concerns around parenting to felt it’s best here..

i have been offered a job that is nearly 20k above my current salary and a huge career progression. I am part time and always have been since DC was born, taking this job would mean full time and being away from DC more.

DC starts school in 2 years.

I need to afford a home for me and DC and this would be the perfect opportunity to do that but I still feel guilty about the time I will miss out on and DC potentially feeling disconnected from me.

would you say yes to the job or stay where you are and try again when DC is nearer to school?

Your child starts school in 2 years. What is they wraparound care like in your area and school holiday childcare like? I know in some areas, provision is poor

Yes, take it. Working full time is so much easier now than when they start school. The school days are very short and you need to turn up to things during the day all the time and there is homework in the afternoon. It’s much more stressful. Dh and I both took on big career moves when they were nursery age. It’s meant now that they’re older and really need us home more - I need to be home in the afternoons for my now 13 year old much more than when she was 3 - we have been able to take a step back and neither of us have to work FT anymore.

It’s preferable to adjust to working FT when DC is still nursery age so childcare hours align with work hours. It’s much harder when they’re at school because you need to piece together wrap around care, sort the school holidays, take time off to see plays etc. but if you go for it now you’ll have 2 years in the role under your belt before you have to think about managing the school juggle. And even if you won’t see all of the pay rise now because of nursery fees that won’t be forever- it’s a long term investment in both of your futures. I’d go for it.

… but people on their deathbed can (and do) regret that they were t able to provide better for their families…

I wouldn’t and didn’t I won’t with full time till he’s older

Definitely take the job. I’m a single parent and have worked full-time since DD was 10 months old. Never felt guilty, I’m proud to be able to provide. I’ve changed jobs several times over the years and earn way more now than I did when DD was small. That wouldn’t have happened if I’d worked PT.

I didn’t go back full time until both my children were in school.

If I had needed to work full time before they were both at school for financial reasons then I would have worked full time, but as we were financially fine with me working part time (25 hours) that’s what I chose to do.

It’s all personal choice.