What £££salary would tempt you to give up comfy SAHM slippers?

[foxtrottingtotransylvania]

I am sitting here wondering whether to apply for a job (application to be done online, closing date today). What level of salary would tempt other SAHMs to go back to work full-time?

Am stony broke and seriously fed up with it, old boss offered me an opportunity to go back to work full time at £300 per day and I turned it down. I'd have to leave at 7am and be back home at the earliest 8pm and often much later. Dreamt about the money, but just couldn't do it to children.

glassofslime, that is a long day. I was thinking that what would be good would be start early, finish by 3pm. And negotiate most of the summer off. Wouldn't be out all day long for any money.

Having earnt nearly £100k, and then having had breast cancer and a nervous breakdown - THERE IS NO WAY ON THIS EARTH YOU COULD PERSUADE ME TO WORK AGAIN!!!!

Sorry for the shouting, I just wanted to make it clear - Life is too too short. We are certainly skint now - have sold my horses, all of my old posh clothes/shoes/boots/accessories, almost to the point of selling my dh (not that I'd get much for him unless you like useless grumpy men in leathers on motorbikes - offers accepted), have done babysitting, ironing and cleaning for bits and pieces of money. But and it's a big BUT, I am so deliriously happy (and mildly sloshed, sorry everyone) to be at home, happy, healthy, cooking, being with the kids, painting, walking dogs etc.

I'm not trying to sound smug (although I am aware that I may be failing miserably). I am just so very aware that life is short, good health is precious, and I am just glad that I've learnt this lesson while I'm only 42, and not worked myself into a grave (although it did get a bit close.....)

no salary would tempt me away from my kids.

might conider it if it was substantially more than dp's

he could stay at home for a bit then, which would be fair all round really.

PA - sloshed or not - it's good to hear.

I think when DC go to school..something that is part time and also cover childminder doing pick ups for me plus a little extra to make it worth while so probably at least £200 a week.

Why do people feel that you are not doing a job unless you are paid to do it??
We SAHM are doing lots of jobs all day long, looking after pre-schoolers, driving, cooking, cleaning, the list goes on and on.
My DH and i are old fashioned, he goes to work and i look after the children... end of story.
Does that mean that i am a useless woman because i haven't got my fingers in all the pies?
"My life is harder than yours" competitiveness gets on my wick.
As long as the children don't suffer and your familly is happy then it's nobody's business if SAHMs earn money.
Adele.

150k +. not a penny less.

Paranoidandroid - Love the sentiment. V.Close friend is in chemo at the mo for breast cancer (aged 34), great to hear you're doing well.

Just read your post Ripeberry and totally agree. I actually work F/T but have DP, Mum and nursery to help. I have a serious and stressful job but its a walk in the park compared to full time parenting.

please don't start the SAHM v working (whatever the acronym is) mum argument.

I'm not arguing the merits either way, just wondered whether anyone had a financial tipping point where the lure of paid work was too much to resist? I am totally undecided, but have just stuck in my job application because, as my DH agreed, there's no point in worrying about whether returning to work is right for me unless i get offered the job. I haven't applied for any others, this one just jumped out at me and something i would love to do, and the salary coincides with what i think i'm worth.

I think if you cover half your childcare costs (the other half are your husband's obviously) then that should be the tipping point financially. When I went back aftrer baby 1 it was in a sense at a loss for a year until I earned more than our nanny. 20+ years later so please I did - massive difference in income by then and of course I hate being at home with children. It's so dreadfully dull. I dont' know how much someone would have to pay me to do it - a huge fortune. Not disrespecting the choices of others here of course.

FTTT - good luck with the job application!

I'm certainly not intending to get stuck into the SAHM vs. Working Mum argument - both sides have their merits.

But what I would say is this. In my experience, there comes a point when you need to earn a certain amount to pay for the childcare. Unless the childcare is reasonably priced, you will need to earn quite a lot to make it worth while financially. The more you get paid, the more the employer wants from you - be it in responsibility, or hours etc - and the harder it is to juggle. So yes there are financial benefits from earning a good salary - of course there are - but as a consequence of being paid a fortune, for example, I was expected to travel all over the world at the drop of a hat (not as glamorous as it sounds believe me), to have my mobile phone on 24/7, to work as a minimum 12 hours a day, to take work home, to work all through my 'holidays' etc etc etc.

I guess my point is that although on paper there may be an obvious tipping point, there are sometimes hidden costs which might alter the equation.

I hope this helps you. Ultimately, it is a decision that only you and your DH can make. Whatever decision you make, believe in yourself and your ability to make the right decision. Never mind anyone else's view!

Good luck

bump coz i'm nosey.

I went back because I loved the job had nothing to do with money, infact we have lost all our tax credits so we are probably worse of or breaking even.

probably about £3.50!

its nto about the money for me at all, i loved my job and would love ot return to work. but for me to go to work it would mean that DS was sorted enough in school for me to not have to worry about any meltdowns and exclusions....that wouldbe the best pay off of all.

I am lucky i work three full days per week at my old job and i love it. I refuse to work any extra days unless planned in advance and to cover holidays. i also refuse for them to pay me for this work and i then take them off as days is lieu (sp).

I am very lucky dd goes to nursery for thoses three days and i love spending my days off with her.

My DH works overseas so i enjoy going to work for the adult company i if i am being truthful the money does come in handy but we could afford our lifestyle without it.

foxy, I'd like to go back to work. however with 4 children under 8 my requirements are pretty severe -
intellectually stimulating
2 days a week
school holidays off
not too far from home (wiltshire)
financially worthwhile - although this is the least important - for something really interesting and stimulating I'd consider even voluntary work.

a completely ridiculous and impossible list, I thought. Never mind, I'll leave it for a few years until they are all at school and then maybe I can be more flexible on eg how many days a week.
but I think i have found something that meets all those criteria, amazingly enough (and pays OK considering it is about 2 days a week for only 35 weeks a year) - so I'm filling in application forms as well! I think if this job really catches your interest, and you can afford to do it (ie you don't earn less your childcare costs etc), then apply. interesting jobs don't come up every day.

anyway

Good luck with that QPH.

Mainly went back precisely because of the money, tbh! Comfortably covers 2 x childcare, netting me enough after all costs to feel I've made a contribution. I'd feel a mug otherwise.
QPH - good luck with yr job, ticks similar boxes to mine (except I have a long commute). They are out there if you wait, another reason why I cdn't chuck it all in.

And some people go back because they'd go mad/commit suicide if they stayed at home another day and then it's perhaps worth any loss/price.