Should I go back to old job or new one with slightly shorter hours? Help!

[twinkleymum]

Am off on maternity leave with 8mo due to return in September. My job (which I didn't like) will now be 3 days per week 9-5.30 and DD has a place in nursey on-site. Thing is I've been offered a job elsewhere they will allow me 3 days per week 9-4 and hopefully will be able to offer me a place in the nursery. I don't know what to do. I may not like the new job either, my current boss and colleagues would probably be v.annoyed with me if I left them. Both nurseries are good. Do you think the shorter hours in nursery will be a real bonus for our little family? There is only one person I'd miss from my current job and she is supposed to be my sort of job share partner when I go back, we were pregnant together and her DS is in the nursery, she even wrote me a letter to say how pleased she was that out DCs would be in nursery together on Wednesdays and that she is really looking forward to my return. I cant ask for those hours in my current job as they have a no part-day policy.

Help!!! Dont know what to do and have to make choice tomorrow!

Also forgot to say, am thinking about trying for another DC maybe in December. Don't know if this should have any influence on my decision as I may not be as lucky TTC as last time.

Any thoughts anyone?

Sometimes better the devil you know. I know the hours are longer, but it takes time to settle back at work, and ime I'd find it much less stressful to be in a familiar role with people I know, particularly if you will be sharing a job with a friend - and you have a guaranteed nursery place. You could always change later...plus if you're planning another child, don't you have to have worked somewhere for a while to get the full maternity package?

TBH, I would stay put for a while - you'd be surprised how little work means to you once you start back - the exhaustion is that bad. You might not want to have to deal with a new job also.

Will you get paid maternity leave if you're in a new job - is it the same company or will you have to be there for a minimum period of time, before having your (fingers crossed for you) next baby?

Best of luck returning to work, and good luck with the nursery.

X posts Mme Bovary! Snap on the advice though!

Can you look a little longer ahead - 9 - 4 will seem like a dream when it comes to school!

can you go around the 2nd place again to see if you get a feel for what it would be like working there?

Don't let someone elses enthusiasm at your dcs sharing a nursery place cloud your judgement - if she were offered a better job she'd take it!

The maternity pay is not an issue as although different job still NHS. I keep thinking that my priorities have changed and maybe my old job wont seem that bad on return. 9-4 would be better re school but that is a long way ahead and we may have moved etc by then.

Forgot to say my MIL makes me feel guilty about working 9-5.30 as she says its too long for DD and thats why I should go for other job. I just worry that I wont have any support on returning to work in a new job as nobody there who knows me. Have to make decision ASAP today.

Starting to panic now, hoping they're not phoning the nursery and making a big fuss to get DD a space if I'm not 100% sure I want it.