Money or time with kids

[cheesypastatonight]

I currently work part time, around 20-30 hours a week mostly from home. It's a great job in that I can do all school runs, attend all assemblies, pop out whenever I like and do the work whenever I like , nobody checking up on me and as flexible as I make it, ie I can go to the hairdressers whenever, as long as I get the work done later. It's is well paid, but I only have 4 weeks hols a year, which in school hols with three young kids, is difficult, but not impossible. I lock myself in the study and occasionally shout shut up I'm on the phone! Did I mention it is VERY well paid and I save a lot of money every month.

The thing is, it's so boring. I've done it for a few years and it's hard making myself do the work without being distracted and it takes over time after school and in the school hols the kids go to clubs or dad covers sometimes. I just don't enjoy it anymore.

I've found another job that is term time only, is afternoons, so the kids would have to go to after school club 4 days a week which they are not keen on particularly. It finishes at 5.15.
The pay is probably half what I get now. But I could afford to live on it.
All school hols off is a big pull but I just want a, a more social job, working with other people in an environment where I can have work friends/colleagues and have a bit of a life and also, this is an entry level job so once I have a year or so experience I could look for something better paid and maybe better hours so the kids aren't in after school club.

What would you do?!!!!

[Justmadeperfectflapjacks]

I added to my hours and dc went into breakfast club / after school club, more money - less dm hours for the dc and it just didn't work. . (gave it 6 months)
Behaviour of the dc changed. .
Emotionally I felt a distance in our usually great relationship. .
Won't be doing it again in a hurry. .
Dropped back down to less work and more dm hours and all good again!!
Least you will have cash incentive to stay as you are. .My wages are crap!!

[cheesypastatonight]

Hopefully bump for more opinions

[Wholovesorangesoda]

I suppose the only way to know if it works for you is to do it, with the problem there being you may not be able to get back into that/similar role if it doesnt work out (although I have to say your current job sounds like a dream!)
When you say it's an entry level role, I assume it's a bit of a career change? Sometimes like you mention you have to take a bit of a hit with money/hours but that can be recouped after a year or so, which obviously you have already recognised. It's a tough call, I think for me it would depend on how crap you find the current role and how much the other one interests you

[cheesypastatonight]

Thanks for your input. The job I do now is so good in every way apart from being boring. I just don't know what to do. Take the financial hit so my life is more interesting or think the flexibility and money I'll never find again in a job.

[Member652554]

Hi hun. I am in a similar position. I Would like to reduce my work hours to spend more time with my dc but then our income would drop and therefore reduce our quality of life. Only difference is I tend to be quite tired on my days off too at the moment as my job is quite physical. What is it you do if you don't mind me asking ?

[Leleophants]

If it didn't work out, could you go back to current job easily?