On the verge of a promotion, but also considering baby no2..!

[energywavering]

Hi all, I guess I'm looking for some help with the pros and cons of each option.

I already have a DS aged 2, and I started a new job part-time after I was made redundant from previous job on maternity leave (I was very happy with the situation as old job became mundane) and I love my new job!
I'm 3 days a week and I love the company and what they do. I also get a sense of satisfaction from my work which I never have in previous role. I work in finance. A promotion would be brilliant as I do feel my work has become fairly easy for me and I'd love a few extra quid a month plus a challenge.

Now, DH and I always agreed we'd have a 3 year age gap between 1 and 2, that way we'd benefit from reduced nursery fees through the funded hours, but also energetic DS would be somewhat 'easier' at 3 at least in terms of potty training and understanding the world a bit better. But also the gap would be good in that it's not too large.

Now I'm in the predicament of going for the promotion and then falling pregnant, which might make it all more complicated, or waiting longer to have DC2, possibly a 4 year gap, which seems rather big..?

Would love to hear from anyone who's in/been in a similar position x

Don't see why this is an issue at all....go for the promotion, if you get it you'll get at least 9 months (probably longer unless you get pregnant immediatley! ) to get experience in the role with comparably fewer distractions ( compared to having a young baby and a young child) to really show them what you can do, will get paid a higher rate of maternity pay and will have a good job guaranteed to go back to. Even if you wait a few months so it will be at least a year in post before you go off again it shouldn't have a huge delay in the gap between the children.

If you don't go for the promotion now who knows when the next opportunity will come up and your employers will wonder why you didn't go for it....if you have another baby and then come back a) you'll be at a disadvantage having spent time-out of the workplace and b) they could promote someone else during that time c) unfortunately maternity discrimination is still a thing and they might think this isn't the right time for you or you would struggle in the role/not be able to commit fully with 2 young kids, and you might be stuck in your old role for years.

Thank you @latetothefisting , it all seems so obvious now you've said it.
I think I am someone who sometimes cares too much what others think and how they might feel let down that I've taken the job on only to leave for 9 months a year down the line, but you're so right with all that you say.
Valuable advice - thank you x

@energywavering

Thank you *@latetothefisting* , it all seems so obvious now you've said it. I think I am someone who sometimes cares too much what others think and how they might feel let down that I've taken the job on only to leave for 9 months a year down the line, but you're so right with all that you say. Valuable advice - thank you x

Lots of places take on for 6 months contracts or even less, plus 9months to a year maternity cover, and if external will need a good few months to pick up the ropes and then they're gone. You're coming in as someone internal who will be able to get stuck in straight away so they'll get 9plus great months out of you, plus a guarantee they'll get a good worker when you come back so they can't complain too much!

On the scale of things, a few months to a year maternity leave isn't bad when you will have already worked there for nearly 3, plus if you get the promotion you'll be more likely to stay for longer. Some people are on sick leave for months. So for them 1 year out on maternity in exchange for years of a good worker is not a bad deal!

Good luck if you do decide to go for it!