Part time v full time

[IsaMatilda]

I am due to return to a full time job in london, which is an hours commute for me, but have been offered a part time position more locally. What are mum's experiences of going back full time? Is it achievable? My role is managerial but nothing too stressful and does not call for overtime. The local position is a great job but obviously paying much less and childcare costs do not reduce much for part time care and I am torn between the money and quality of life.

Any advice? What did you do?

How old are your how many kids, & would your childcare costs be covered either way?

How old are your kids, how much does your other half do at home, and how much help like a cleaner can you afford to buy? How important is continuing to develop your career versus time with your child(ren) to you? What childcare are you planning and how locally does your other half work?

Why don't childcare costs reduce for part time hours, are you doing shorter days rather than fewer days a week?

It really does make things a lot easier having at least one person work locally - with a long commute there's always a risk something goes wrong and then you worry about pick up. They will inevitably get sick and someone will have to collect, which is easier if you are closer.

I'm happier working part time 3 days a week than 4 days, I've not done FT since pre kids. It gives me more time with the kids, and makes evenings and weekends less manic as I pick off some jobs during the day - DH has a very long commute so I got very little help. It really depends on how you weight the different trade offs though.

I work locally and PT, 3 young kids. It's not perfect but FT is simply not possible without us all going a bit mad and never seeing each other. We have no family near us also. Just my own experience. Good luck!

I gave up my central London job after having DS, it was an hour away from his nursery and I wanted to be closer. I took a local job 3 days per week and it worked out much better for us. He started school in Sept and I have upped my days to 4. I would take quality of life every time and don't regret it in the slightest.

Thank you for your post. My partner also works in London but works from home two days a week. If I was to go back to my existing job it would be four days a week so there would just be one day where we weren't local. My have one daughter who is six months old. I just know that decent part time jobs are thin on the ground and feel if I don't grab this chance with both hands another opportunity won't come along. The drawback is while I'll have much more time with the baby we won't have much money to do anything and long term my pension will be up the spout.

No experience as I don't have children....

However, if I were you I would return to London job four days a week. If it doesn't work you can always look for a more local job.

There are lots of threads on Mumsnet by women who have had decent careers, went part-time in poorly paid jobs and cannot get back on the ladder.

Thanks for the advice. At the moment it's quite hard to think far enough ahead to wanting to go on the career ladder but it might happen one day and then my chances will be poor right enough.

I think if you are....

1. don't work silly hours
2. are established in that role
3. in a decent job

I would give it a go. You might need to tread water for a few years but I think that might be better than stepping off or taking a step right down the ladder.

I would go back to your existing job. Presumably your OH will take and collect from childcare when he WFH. Why reduce your salary and bugger your pension. Also, if you earn less, your OH may start to expect you do.more at home or cover sickness.