I have a dliema.....re going back to work - what would you do??

[TheQueenOfQuotes]

I was a SAHM from before DS1 was born until DS2 was nearly 2yrs old (DS1 was 5). I found a job because I had to if we wanted to keep a roof over our head and feed them. I've been on Maternity leave since May after having DS3 (who's now 6 months old) and my SMP finishes at the end of January.

The job I had was working nights, so we didn't pay for childcare (as DH works 12ish-9pm and I would leave after he got home, and sleep in the morning before he went to work.

I don't want to go back to that job, it was hell (well the work wasn't but the management was) But I HAVE to go back to work. (although now rather enjoying being back at homefull time) .I need to bring in at least £350 a month (after tax) to ensure that all bills are payed, food on the table etc etc.

So I have 2 choices.

a) find a part time morning job (what?) which brings in just enough to cover bill repayments etc - DH would look after the DS's in the morning so no childcare costs.

b) Find a full time job (again what?) which pays a lot more than we need, but meaning that DH could still look after the children in the morning, but that we would have to pay for childcare for DS2 and 3 in the afternoons (and possibly DS1 after school too depending on hours). DS2 starts school next September, so we would then only have DS3 to pay for childcare in the afternoons.

The first option would mean that I'm at home with the DS's every afternoon, but that it continues to take the estimated 4-5yrs to clear our debts.

2nd option could mean (depending on childcare costs) that we clear our debts quicker and I could then be at home full time permanently....

What would you do?

For receptionist jobs you probably want to talk to a temping/secretarial recruitment agency.

QoQ - if you're in touch with the families of anyone you cared for, I bet their reference would be of more interest to a private family than your managers reference would be anyway, if that helps. For instance if I hired a nanny who'd worked in a nursery, I'd want references from the parents of the kids in the nursery, not from the nursery manager IYSWIM...

I think a local paper ad along the lines of 'Qualified and experienced care worker available for part-time respite care on private basis, particular experience in dementia, first aid qualified [and...] Minimum rate £X per hour, references available on request' should get you some interest. (you'll want to redraft I'm sure!) So many people want their elderly parents to be getting more care, for example, but are at work & can't do it themselves. Best of luck.