Full Time vs Part Time

[Plussizemummy]

I'm a lone parent who has just gone back to work for 16hrs a week and I am being paid NMW. Now, I have the opportunity to work 37.5 hours per week for 35K p/a + OTE. But I just don't know what to do. First of all, I can't imagine not being with my daughter for at least a portion of each day and secondly, I'm wondering what effect working full time would have in terms of tax credits etc. Oh and I'm wondering too if I can work full time and still manage to cope with teething DD at night time. What to do, what to do!!

Any advice or your experiences would be very welcome!

How old is dd?

What care arrangements would she have?

DD will be one next month and she currently attends nursery for aprox. 4 hours per day.

Personally, I would look at the jobs themselves - which one will give you most pleasure and fulfilment - a happy mum will mean a happy dd.

She will be fine at nursery if you chose that route and you will get used to it all. Not saying it will be easy but it is completely possible.

Not sure what the situation is on tax credits - but depends on what your commission is I suppose?

What sort of travel to/from work will you have, and what impact will that have on the number of hours your daughter will need to be in childcare?

She's already attending for a decent chunk each day, so adjusting might not be that difficult, but you might find doing the drops/pickup then commuting to/from work quite difficult. You might want to explore the possibility of a local childminder doing some?

Exactly what does 35K p/a + OTE mean? Does that mean you're guaranteed salary of £35k, plus there's opportunity to earn extra? OR does it mean that if you meet your targets (how are they set? are they reasonable?) then you will earn more than £35k. What happens if you don't reach targets?

Coping with disrupted nights and then going to work is hard. Harder for you because there's only you to get up and deal with it. But lots of people do it. What sort of workplace is it? Lots of parents? Would they be sympathetic? Even if you can't take time off or be in late because of it, it can make a world of difference just being able to say to boss/colleague, "sorry, I'm being a bit rubbish today, X is teething and I got 3 hours sleep" and know they've been through it.

Personally, I think going out to work is giving your daughter a great role model and it could be a wonderful opportunity to get some extra cash which could go towards extra opportunities/experiences for her (and you!).
You may be able to take the job and then when you've been in it long enough, apply for a flexible working arrangement and cut back your hours to something allows you more contact with your DD during the week?

take out fulltime childcare costs and see what your earnings look like then, its a big chunk and although you may get some ctc as single parent may not (www.entitledto.co.uk) only you know if you could handle it. My best friend works fulltime and earns similar and loves it but does struggle not being able to take son to clubs/meet local mums etc can be isolating.