I need to go back to work by the beginning of march. I've been on maternity leave since last May, was due back on Monday just gone by - but resigned 4 weeks ago. I was working as a Care Assistant doing 3 x 9 1/4hr shifts a week on very crp pay £5.50 (would have risen to £5.70 in September had I not been getting SMP). I hated working there, LOVED the work but the manager treated me like sht. I was the "scapegoat" of the night girls - so if any thing went wrong/any complaints and it was "always" my fault.
I've been looking for something to fit round DH's hours - so morning work, or nights if decent pay. But was really just looking to only have to work enough to bring in just £350 a month (after tax). Hopefully just mornings so I could be at home with the DS's in the afternoon/evening. However, DS1 is already at school, and DS2 starts in September. So in reality it would just be DS3 who I'd be at home with in the early afternoons.
Anyhow, SIL has just moved to neighbouring town to start a new job as a Manager at a new care home. She's in charge of recruitment and called this morning (I was out) to ask if I was interested in any of the posts. (as she apparently put it I've been head hunted ). The most "viable" option in terms of the shifts on offer is the night shift.
It's 10pm-8am working on a 2 week rota. 4 nights on, 3 nights off, 3 nights on 4 nights off. As yet SIL doesn't have details of the wage (although should have got the info by the time I call tomorrow to chat to her about it).
Now the issue is this, I'd need to put DS2 and 3 into childcare (possibly a childminder) on the weekdays after I'd been working the night before, just for about 3hrs after lunch so that I could get decent sleep in - especially given my nights would be all joined together.
I think that I'd just be able to scrape enough money in with my hours to bring home the £350 I need to pay bills/buy food - and pay for childcare (as it wouldn't be every day every week that I'd need it). And in October once DS2 is at school fulltime the childcare costs would drop - thereby giving us more money to "play with" so to speak.
Now possible issues (aside from using "outside" childcare which we'd always hoped to avoid) include the fact that I'd almost certainly have to cycle to and from work (it's about 10/11 miles - used to do a lot of cycling - similar distances and pretty sure I could get back in the short of shape required ). The buses to the job in the evening just don't work (I could leave home to catch the bus in town at 8.20 and arrive at 9pm, or leave at 9.20 and arrive at 10pm). I could (in theory) get the bus home again in the morning (though nothing of taking bikes on buses LOL).
I'd also be working "under" my SIL - though I'm not too bothered about that as we get on really well.
Pro's would be:
Doing work I LOVE doing
Probably more chance of "career progress" (ie not being stuck at the bottom of the care assistants heap, but possibly working up to Senior Carer etc)
Once DS2 starts school it would be more financially viable.
I'll get fit again with all that cycling.
Really not sure what to do........