Made redundant on mat leave. Shall I be a SAHP for a while?

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Hello, as per the thread title, I was (legally) made redundant near the beginning of maternity leave. I still have 6 months of my planned 1 year maternity leave left (only on statutory maternity pay now). It is a traditionally "prestigious"/high flying career and took a number of years of study and training to get there.

I am now considering whether it will be more stress than it's currently worth to look for and start a totally new job (in the same field) at the end if this year, and whether I should extend my "maternity leave" for another half year or so, or possibly even longer, before looking for a new job? Starting a new job at the same time as DC would be starting nursery will be quite tough (eg. Less goodwill/history of being a hard worker if I have to be off if DC gets a nursery bug). I only have one DC currently but hope to have another in a couple of years. I would not put DC in nursery if I were to become a SAHP.

My DH often travels for work and works quite long hours sometimes. Obviously financially it would be a sacrifice for us but we could manage it by being a bit more careful with our finances (and if mortgage rates don't shoot up even more in a few years...!)

Would be interested to hear people's thoughts. Thanks.

You will always be starting nursery at the same time as a new job, so that will be the same whether you start now or in a few years.
How easy are your jobs to come by? I think I'd start looking for ideal jobs now, andbecome a bit less exacting as time goes on.

For us, kids at nursery with 2 FT jobs was MUCH easier than school.

I’d start looking now. It’ll always be different/challenging starting a new job when you have a baby.

@CatsOnTheChair true. Interesting that kids at school while working is harder. I hadn't thought of that but it's true in terms of collection times!

Also true. Guess there's no harm in starting to put feelers out a few months ahead of time.

I always think it's a bad idea for women with a career to give up work because of a young child. The "childcare" years are hard but brief, and in that time period you could be keeping up with CPD or even being promoted. At the very least, you're keeping a foot in the door while you 'just keep swimming'!

Trying to get back in after a long break is hard and some never do it, partly because the family dynamic gets built on the mother always being at home.

FWIW i've got a 6 and 3 year old and i've only ever taken one day off because they were ill. It's not a given that they'll be poorly all the time.

I had a similar experience - first time I volunteered for redundancy- I was very ready to return to work once she was a year old!

Second time made redundant baby was around 9 months - I took 18 months ‘maternity leave ‘ b financial and for me reasons I also returned to work!!

I would see how you feel and work out what’s best for you & family. First time I had a nursery reserved space and didn’t cancel it thankfully! Second time around was a little more stressful as I had to find a nursery I liked with short notice!!