Single Parenting - is full Time worth it?

[katifer78]

Attention sensible people. I am deflated.
I upped my hours from Part Time (30) to Full Time (40) from 1st Sepetmber. I DD started highschool shes now a latchkey kid off the bus till I get home at 5.30pm
My calculations are making me wonder if it is worthwhile.
Take home pay + tax credits =
FT £1862.69 –
PT £1754.46 = £108.23

So Working full time vs part time makes me £108.23 better off each month.
£108.23/ 4.345 = £24.90
That’s £24.90 a week better off
40 x 4.345 = 173.8
30 x 4.345 = 130.35
173.8 – 130.35 = 43.45
I'm now working an extra 43.45 hours a month for £108.23
Extra 10 hours a week for £24.90 a week
Extra 2 hours a day for £2.49 an hour
So I’m now working 3-5 for £4.98 a day.

Now I know that I would struggle to find more work to make that £108.23 a month but is the extra faff of leaving her alone for 2 hours every night and being shattered and unable to collect her from after school clubs.

Would appreciate peoples thoughts, before I discuss with the boss. I did think about asking to train - if they pay for a book keeping course or something the promise of career progression may make it more worthwhile?

I went full time when my youngest was 8 after separation. I needed a higher income to get my own mortgage.

Lucky that I have been able to work from home 2 or 3 days per week dependent on employer and I do feel better being at home now that youngest is year 6 and no longer in childcare even though I can't help with homework or chat as I'm working (other than a quick hello).

Also my 3 x dc go to their dad 2 days per week when I work long days in the office.

There are definitely pros and cons I pay for a cleaner once per month which is more outgoing. But I also benefit from the extra pension contributions and career progression opportunities which are far more significant working full time so is not just about the cash in hand.

I try and spend quality time with all my dc regularly and actually feel my relationship with them and ability to support them are better overall than when I worked part time and was around more often.

I am completely exhausted though, I don't think there is any way around that.