Is a short career break a reckless idea atm??

[RosieLee2019]

My DS is 25 mo. I’ve been back at work a year since mat leave. I moved jobs soon after returning, having been in my previous job 10 years. I’m in a position where I earn well and have a lot of disposable income, but work is really relentless and demanding, and I resent not being able to spend more time with DS, or having any time for myself.

I figure, with the amount I’m earning and saving, I could easily afford to take 6 months or so off to spend with DS. Then I was thinking about getting into contracting, and repeating the pattern of working for a period, then having time out to spend with DS.

I know there always a risk that finding contracts might be difficult, but we’re in a fairly fortunate position where we have a very manageable mortgage, don’t lead a lavish/expensive lifestyle, and I think I could manage the risk.

Is there anyone who has done anything similar? Is there anything I’m not considering?

What is it that you do? Surely that will factor in to whether it’s madness or not?

In theory it sounds fine, but is your industry likely to be hit by the recession?

Do you have a DH / DP to share the risk with?

Contracting is a quite different mindset which in my experience works best when going from Contracting to Employment rather than the other way around.
Also, would it not be a bit disturbing for your child to have 100% Parent for 6 months then 100% childcare for 6 months then repeat?
Could you stop work now (with a supportive Husband) and look at contracting when your child starts school?

Not really possible to say without knowing your industry. Have you considered (employed) PT? Might be more secure and more consistent for your DS. Is finding FT childcare for 6 months on and off likely to be an issue?

Agree with PP, it depends a bit on the what the market is like in your industry and whether you’re the sole earner in your family.
OP, have you been a contractor before? It’s quite a different mindset than being employed. In my industry, it pays better, and jobs are fairly easy to come by. But you still have to get used to idea than you can be let go with barely any notice, and you may have gaps between contracts.
Could you try a short term contract now before taking a break and see if it’s really for you? How easy would it be a find a new FT job if you decided to go back to employment?
Have you considered other options, eg changing jobs or going part-time?

You could use it as a route to finding something more family friendly?

The problem with contracting is that it is either feast or famine so thinking you can merrily take 6 months off and line up something for June is easier said than done. I contracted for a long time and was well known/rarely out of work but job availability and what I wanted in terms of time off rarely matched up. Most of the contractors I knew went from job to job to job and had the next one lined up despite promises that they would be extended because employer communication was generally so bad.

Set your bar very low as well. Employers will treat you like a disposable item.

IT is the best sector for contracting.