To quit my career and go term time?

[Mamamamadoododododo]

I currently work in a public sector role - which has the same benefits as CS (pension, mat leave, sick leave etc.) There is a pretty linear progression for me with good income IF I can get into the CS which at the minute i'm struggling to do.

I have 1 child - who is 15 months, and i want another next year (and possibly another after that).

I was career minded but struggle to find the balance at the minute and i find sitting in a room chatting about made up corporate stuff a little pointless now.

I've found a job at a nearby (not local) college which puts some of my experience to use and would help young adults massively. However its less money (about 10K less), less pension, less sick leave, SMP maternity and no progression but is term time and less hours per day.

I don't need term time yet, but would need something (or rely on holiday camps) when my kids get older.

I feel so deflated in my current job - i'm dropping the ball everywhere as i'm trying to do full time in part time so i can spend more time with my baby, feel very left out because my maternity replacement is still here not dropping the ball, and i just want a career change but cant afford to make move back into university.

Do I quit my expected career and try for the term time job - or do i stick with my career and keep earning more with comfortable benefits?

It depends - if you can afford to drop down to term time only and want to, then I'd go for it if it'll make you happier. Life isn't always about having loads of money - I guess I've realised that since having a baby.

There are distance learning qualifications - I did my undergrad with the Open University, all funded via student loans :) admittedly not alongside a baby, though I am starting my distance learning masters in September with a 1 year old, so I may not be so chirpy about it then! haha.

Could you go part-time in your current job? Then you would keep the good benefits and the possibility of career progression. TBH, you've just come back from mat leave, it's a tough transition. And doing a full time job in part-time hours is rarely a good idea.