To take a job that pays less but is much closer to home once DD starts pre school?

[again2020]

I work for a lab in a university hospital. It's precisely 31 miles each way. I've been in the job for 8 years, we used to live nearby but moved when I was pregnant and after I had DD I kept working there, to finished my master's and my paper. .. both now completed 👍
I was furloughed May-Sept 2020. Traffic was fine before Christmas but has recently started to become much heavier, it's gone from 50 mins door to desk to about 1 hour 15mins.
My childcare is also getting more difficult, nursery have been ringing me due sniffles and I've had to come and get DD. My partner has just got his own business and is busier than ever.
I saw a job much closer to home that I applied for, sort of a side step but something I could do easily. I've been offered an interview.
It's 5 miles away.
It's a paycut. Current job is £25k pro rata, this one £20k pro rota. Term time only is an option, it was stated in job description. The fuel costs would make up for around £2k of the paycut per year.
Obviously I haven't got this job yet, but I'm weighing up pros and cons. DD starts pre school in September and I want to be there for her, I don't want to be a frazzled mess dropping her off in the morning and legging it down the motorway then not back until nearly 7pm 😬 I've done that for too long.
I would miss the intellectual stimulation I get from my current job and the people, as well as the freedom of working near a city. Leaving there does make me feel a bit sad. But I feel in a way I've pushed that career path as far as I can.
The new job would rewarding in a different way and I'd have more time.
Do mums rethink jobs when their kids go to school? Interested to hear opinions and views.

Go for the new job! I have two toddlers in nursery and the stress of traffic jams etc was too much. I got constant calls from nursery every time one of them so much as sneezed. If you're ready to move jobs, and this seems like a good opportunity, take it. The 3k (after petrol) is about £150 a month post tax.

@legalseagull Thank you! I'm inclined to agree. You definitely have to weigh these things up when having children. Hope you sorted out something more convenient for you aswell.

Go for it! I changed jobs after having my first DC. I went back when he was 18 months as a Classroom assistant at his preschool /nursery. He is now 5, and I am currently studying for my PGCE. That job change has enabled me to be there for him much more easily and has also led to a whole career change for me. Being able to easily juggle childcare/pickups etc is a massive, massive plus for me. Especially if you feel the new job would be equally rewarding. The job change also meant dropping to a third of my salary. Still worth it in terms of stress levels, childcare and job satisfaction for me. Good luck with the job application!

Just before my eldest started school (also had a 2 yo) I got made redundant but made the conscious decision not to find a replacement job. Instead I started a child friendly business that was very part time and term time only. It impacted family financial but dh was earning well so it was totally worth it.
4 years and a pandemic later I am returning to employment, kids are older, everything is different.
Totally normal imo to reassess career priorities when you have small kids. As you approach the school years is harder as you have to think about term times etc. It’s all doable but much trickier than when they’re 1-2 and can just go to nursery whenever.

Go for the new job especially if term time is an option as it's hard to find these jobs and you will find it invaluable as your DD starts school.
I think it's quite common to reassess jobs/careers when dcs start school

Do it. I changed job when my dc were small in order to gain flexibility. It did involve a pay cut but my work life balance was so much better.

Good luck!