would you go back to this job for the sake of thinking ahead?

[Greatfun]

MN opinion required please. I hav 2 kids (1 and 3) job (3 days) in a professional job that I have been doing for about 10 years. I am currently on mat leave with DC2. I have worked out that after childcare and travel we will be about £300 per month better off by me returning to work. I appreciate this is a signifiant sum but we can (if we tighten our belts) live without it. My work is a fair distance from home and it would take 1-1.5 hours to get there and to the childminder, etc so the kids would be away from home for at least 11 hours a day. However, this may only be for 2 days a week as my MIL might be able to look after them for the 3rd day. I dont particularly like my job but have no idea what else I could do. On one hand I would love to hand my notice in to be with the kids whilst they are small but hate the idea of not knowing what else I would do and ending up in a poorly paid job wishing I had kept my skills up. But on the other hand I think it would be better to work (for financial reasons, being a good role model to my DD, etc). I think I could get back into my current work after a few years out but can't be sure and definately wouldnt get all the added benefits I currently have. wwyd? Stick it out for the longer term benefits of a flexible, p/t well paid job or give it up due to all the hassle for relatively little financial gain at this stage and a whole lot of running about with the kids in childcare for long days.

Greatfun, it's always a tough call. But what I would do - in fact, what I have done - is go back for those three days per week and just see how it goes. You can always jack it in if it really doesn't work for you and your family. Incidentally, I wouldn't worry about the role model thing - you know that your kids will be influenced by you as a person, rather than by whether or not you work.

I know you are probably right. My heart says jack it in until DS is at school and my head says stick with it.

£300 a month is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick! I went back 3 days after my DD2 turned 1 and although i dearly wish I could jack it in at times we're better off with me staying here. So many people would kill to have a flexible well-paid part time job, they are nigh impossible to find at a professional level unless you are something like a GP or similiar?

Remember your child care costs will go down as your children get older, and you keep your foot in the door with the option of increasing your hours in the future when the children are older and you want to concentrate a bit more on career again. You are also getting pension benefits and are eligible for pre-tax childcare vouchers if your company does them.

My commute (driving) is 45mins-1hr each way - bearable for 3 days a week! And why doesn't your DH help with drop off or pickups - mine leaves work early to do one day, I do one day and MIL does the third day. He also helps with drop off in the morning as DD1's school and DD2's Nursery are in different directions.

Finally if my DH loses his job in this horrible time of redundancies I feel more secure that we have my job to fall back on, with the option to increase hours if I had to. I'm actually about to add a 4th day - working from home, after my DD2 turns 3. (Is this option available to you, considering your long commute?)

I may be able to work at home once a week I would need to speak to work. I am finding child care a nightmare at the moment so that may be the deciding factor anyway.

I have 4 kids (9,5,3 and 1). I havent worked since since i had my 3rd due to all the reasons you have listed childcare costs, logistics etc. But i can honestly say that after being at home fulltime for the past 4 years that i would chew my own arm off for some regular adult conversation and to think about something other than whats for tea!

I am about to go back to work p/t for no financial gain and what will prove to be a logistical nightmare but it will be worth it just to be something other than mummy.

Thanks lhg32. Thats interesting. I ahve only been off work for about a year so its all relatively new. Time to look again at childcare I think. I might investigate a nanny share seeing as the nursery for bth children is nearly £100 per day anyway.

Greatfun - lots of valid reasons to jack in work that you have isted and I agree with them.

However,if you give up work now you will find it near impossible to get back if it is a relativley skilled professional role.

Firms always prefer younger people who are in work over older and experienced people who have been out of the workforce for a while. It is wrong an it is illogical but that is how firms are.

Try to stick with it on a part time basis if you can. Also, if you are earning and say your DH/DP lst his job then it would give your family a big backstop as you could work full time while he was looking for work.

Not an easy choice I know but in the current economic climate having a job is better than not. You can always give up if it is too much as others have said.

Thanks all for their input. Its much appreciated. I realise I am lucky to have the choices that I do so I just need to go and make a decision now.