Would you work for nothing to keep a job long term?

[Greatfun]

My current job is flexible and fairly well paid and PT (3 days). I am on mat leave with DC2 and have worked out that after childcare and travel I will be taking home nothing for nearly 2 years (when DD starts school). My job is an hour from home/school/nursery.

I dont know if I could get back into my very specialised field and havent a clue what else I would do. Once DCs are both at school my job could work quite well apart from the distance from school. I would be bringing home a good wage for 3 days, there is a flexible working policy and I can get time off with sick children easily and have much more than the average amount of annual leave.

Myheart says leave and spend this time with the children but my head says stay as these jobs are few and far between in terms of flexibility, etc.

How much do you actually enjoy your job?

If you like it, I would stick with it, if you think it will be hard to get back into in a few years' time.

I think it comes down to how much your job means to you. Personally, when I worked, I worked to live, not the other way round. I couldn't bring myself to work for nothing as there would be no motivation for me to keep going through the tough patches.

I could see why someone who loved their job or who just loved working would though, especially if they could never get back into the field again.

I chose to stay for the princely sum of £30 a month salary after I'd paid childcare, travel etc.

It was worth it I think, just to keep all my terms and conditions.

Plus it's a job I enjoy and can do with my eyes shut, so pretty much stress free.

I dont like it but I like the pay and benefits . I just have no idea what else I would do and fear I would end up in a badly paid job with little flexibility.

I don't get much leftover either after paying childcare costs x3!!

But I love my job and if I left it may be very difficult to get back into.

I'm contemplating increasing my hours and last night, when I told my dh how much "extra" I would bring home he was why would you bother? type reply.

I love my job and will be paying to go back for 6 months come feb before dc1 starts school.

I have been in my job for 8 years and can also do with my eyes shut so I know what you mean. Great T&Cs; 7 weeks leave a year, flexible working, could probably arrange 10-3 when DCS at school so I could drop them off and would only need after school care for an hour or so. Its only 3 days a week.