Career decision to make - opinions needed!

[lphall]

Hello,

I’m a mum to 3 kids (9,7 & 18 months), and since my youngest was 7 months I’ve been back working FT. Been finding it really difficult juggling everything, despite being in the fortunate position of having family help with childcare.

My job is very well paid, but I really hate it. Hardly any flexibility, long commute, some of the people are rude/abrasive. I’m also deeply unhappy that I’m away from the kids so much, without any leeway for some flexi around school, home working, etc. I have asked for more flexibility, but have practically had to beg, and they’ve made me feel terrible about it. The worst part is that the role was advertised as hybrid, but they switched it up when I started!

I recently received an invite to interview for a job that I think I would love, it’s PT (22 hours) which would mean more time with the kids, and local! The only thing is, it would be quite a big cut in pay. My husband and I had a chat, and luckily we could swing it.

I know in my heart of hearts it would be better for all involved at this time in my life if I got the PT role, but still have reservations about losing income (especially with everything rising in cost!).

Does anyone have any advice, or been in a similar position? Thank you!

Not trying to sway you either way, as only you can know what will matter most for you and your family long term, but be really careful about signing up to be on “the mummy track”. It can be really hard to go back up to the level of job you were in before you took the pay and hours cut. So the decision might not just be for “now”, it can also have implications for years to come.

Assuming you have a career in a certain field, would the part time option be in the same field, so not losing out of being 'out of the loop' in your profession? If it is and you can change it quite easily if you ever want more hours I would do the lower paid one...I would however make sure that my pension contribs are maintained to the same extent as existing or to same as DH level whichever is lower and not let that be reduced because of reduction in hours...but that's just me.

Thank you @Slaistery. That has absolutely crossed my mind, that combined with the cut in pay is what’s making me hesitate.

My husband and I are both very hands on, and try to share family responsibilities, but he is the main earner, so it falls on me to try and and get more flexibility (as so often is the case for women!).

I work in Marketing, and my current role was particularly well paid for my area, so I think it would be hard to match it again in future. There’s also lots of scope for advancement. However, there are also loads of downsides, i.e., they pay staff well as they’re not treated very well. I often have a cry on my drive home from work, and they just don’t get what it’s like to be a parent of young kids.

Thanks @WoooahNelly 😊

I work in Marketing, and the new job would be very similar, but with more of a focus on design. The job sounds great, just the thought of losing income. I keep telling myself that I’ll have opportunities later when the kids are a bit older.

Think I’d need to have a chat with them about pension, as it wasn’t detailed in the original job ad, but it is so important! Only realising that now as I’m getting older 😅

Who earns more? You or your husband?

Hey @omgsally, my husband is the main earner.

No one on their deathbed ever said "I wish I'd spent more time at work"

If you can afford it as a family, and the part-time post keeps you in your field so you've got something to build on in a few years then personally I'd go for it

So true @LadinLee ❤️ Once the kids are a bit older, I might have more time to take on extra hours. Thank you.

If it was me, I would take the part time position. You are clearly unhappy and in the long run that will not get better and whose to say you would want a similar position as your current role in the future. I always say move with your current situation. Good luck.

I would take that in a heartbeat.

If you can afford it I would absolutely take the PT job.