Would this be 'out of the frying pan?

[RedFlagHag]

I am a secondary school TA and am considering changing jobs (have been offered an interview for a job which I think I would pretty much be guaranteed to get for various reasons which i won't go into now).

This was only ever a 'stop gap' job, anyway, but need to be sure I am making the right move before I leave this job for another, and wonder what others think / would do?

At the moment my role has the following pros and cons:

Pros:

My commute is a pleasant 15 minute bus ride + 10 min walk each way.

I get school holidays.

I get to work with young people all day, which I really enjoy.

Cons:

It's full-time (five days a week, 8am-4pm).
I only ever wanted 3 or maximum 4 days a week, really.

The pay is poor.

It is extremely stressful (not the working with students bit, which I love, but the 'dealing with all the status bullshit and fragile egos of the teaching staff' bit!).

In all honesty, I am way over-qualified for the position.

The new position is working as a support worker for a women's charity. It would have all the emotional stresses and demands of my current role, I would imagine. The pros and cpns are below:

Pros:

More money.

'Only' 4 days a week (9am-5pm)

More varied work.

Uses my qualifications.

probably more scope for progression.

Cons:

An hour's commute each way.

No school holidays off.

Quite a challenging role.

WWYD?

My main thought would be school holidays but only because its my main problem. How old are your kids / do you have kids ? If you can cover the hols then go for the challenge.

Hi ChrissyHynde (love the name, btw).

Yes, I have a child in full-time daycare (which my current job just about covers the cost of) and a child at primary school.

I have to keep my younger child in nursery during holidays anyway, or I'd lose the place, which is a bummer. It is helpful to have school hols off as far as my older child is concerned, but to be honest, childcare is still a hassle, as finding 'term time only' childminders is a faff. The main beenfit of school hols at the moment is for me, really . It breaks up the exhausting term-time and gives me a chance to catch up around the house and with other mundane 'family' stuff.

Your DC's only young at moment and I found with mine that nursery/holiday clubs were fine when they were young but as they got older ie 7 and 12 it just doesn't work.

Sorry also forgot to say and about your travelling time it will eat into a lot of your day so not much time left for family meal of an evening, kids activity or something else

My DD is only 3 so I'm no expert on childcare during holidays. But I think the scope for progression is an important aspect. If this gives you the chance to get a career rather than a job, personally I would go for it. You've got a lot of working years ahead of you, and you might as well make them interesting ones.

I would say as you get more money and a non working day- which will save you a fair bit on childcare - and the jobs sounds much more you then I would go for it - I would say only reall downside is the commute -but as you would be starting later that would be a help
re the stress
re the holidays - my DS1 is at reception but I think mix and match for primary school age works well - eg some AL - and if possible OH/dad takes some as well - grandparents, childswap with other parents and holiday clubs