Post-maternity, few yrs out- temp at old level or perm at lower level?

[SwiftRelease]

How best to make up for lost years and out of date experience?

Option 1) Temp is more £, lots more, but in London, quite a trek from here(may mean overnight stay), at same level as former role so may be good way into future role at this seniority locally

Option 2) more junior than my former roles, am definitely overqualified and experienced for it (on paper!) but potentially a way back in locally or may keep me firmly at a more junior level.... Better work life balance as shorter hrs and shorter commute.

Option 3). Wait it out for "ideal job" to land in my lap (yeah, I know, but that's dh's suggestion...sceptical emoticon)

Any thoughts appreciated, thanks!

I would agree with going for the temp role. What does dh disagree with exactly? The distance or the lack of job security? I work in a temp role and I find one benefit is being able to take time off for the dc (eg if ill) without worrying about it eating into my annual leave.

How did you both make the decision for you/one parent to SAH? Was it envisioned as a more permanent way of life? If not, and going back to work for you has always been on the cards, then your DP needs to get on board with the new reality. It won't be as bad as he fears! Can you afford a nanny, particularly for the longer commute/higher paid job?

I'd worry about a lower level job if you're ambitious and not just in it for work-to-live.

Sounds like this is decision time for your DH - you clearly want to go back in at your old level, and clearly want your career to be equally important.

He can either accept that it's his turn to step up at home whilst you're getting your career restarted - which means you both have a shot at rewarding local work in a year or so, and he gets to take on more responsibility with the kids. Or, block you, and risk you feeling resentful and trapped as you watch him never take sick days "because you have the little job darling".

Yep, a slight caricature - but worth discussing with him in detail before you return - will he take sick days, do pickups, dropoffs etc, or is he just expecting to carry on just as he has been? Is he really thinking it'll be "unfair on the girls" or is he subconsciously realising that if you take the remote job, there's no way he'll be able to avoid picking up responsibilities for the children? Is he afraid of what that might mean for him? Does he have any ideas of how it will work, or is he just not thinking about it in a "la la if I wait it'll go away" way?