would you do it? work related
shacadu
member
I quit my job in order to spend more time with the baby and now I have the opportunity to work part time. I'd get half my salary, and need to put the babe in childcare from 12-5 daily. My commute is about half and hour to 35 min and I would work 3 hours a day plus some work from home. Daycare at the centers isn't going to work because they don't offer part time so I'm going to have to find someone who watches children in their home (which is another thread entirely).
So after childcare and gas I'm bringing home less than half of the paycheck. It's not that much to begin with and frankly I'm not sure it's worth it. Hubby makes enough so that we have something left over at the end of each month and can still do things like go out, take vacations (though simple ones), etc. We just have to be more frugal, so going out once a week instead of multiple times, etc.
It's a lot of extra on my end: having to pick up, drop off, pump, prep meals, etc.
WWYD? I imagine I'll get a lot of different types of responses here...
Re: would you do it? work related
It doesn't really sound like you want to go back.
I think part time would be perfect but your situation sounds like a lot of extra work. I would enjoy your time home with your baby and go back full time later on.
It's not necessarily that I don't want to go back, it's that I worry if an extra 200 or so dollars a week is worth all of that.
I'm not worried about going back later on because I teach math, have a great resume/references and have contacts throughout the district.
I was part-time for the past 2 years and absolutely LOVED it. I worked 2 1/2 days a week- my mom watched the kids one day and my husband stayed home the other day and a half. It was perfect. I wasnt making much- but I had full benefits for my family...which is really why I did it. I also loved getting out of the house for a bit and being around adults! Unfortunately, my school doesnt have any part-time slots for next year- so I am out of a job! And let me tell you- it is impossible to find a part time teaching job anywhere!!
But since you're specialized, it will be easier. After everything you have to go through, for 200- I would just stay home.
As a full time working mom, I really don't see daycare drop off/pick up as being inconvenient. I actually enjoy it--I love seeing how happy she is to be at school and how happy she is when she sees me at the end of the day. I think DD greatly benefits from being at her school and she loves it. However, I understand that it seems like a daunting prospect before you start actually doing it. I had a lot of apprehension about it and the length of my day/commute but once I got into a routine with it it has worked out well. You could always take the extra money and put it directly into a college fund.
Again, this is a working mom's perspective. In the end, you need to go with your gut.
I agree w/ the pp about daycare not being a drawback. For my kids- its ESSENTIAL. They need that structure and interaction and they thrive in that environment. Of course, I've been a FT working mom for 4 years and hindsite is 20/20. Initially, it felt completely unnatural to leave them there. But now, I worry that if I SAH, they wouldn't get that benefit. I have ZERO regrets on that front.
Anyways, I'm about to move into a Part Time status as well. 3 days in the office (possibly teleworking 1 of those days). For me, going in the office 5 days would not be worth it. We live an hour away from work so that would just be silly. We've been lucky enough to find a daycare that would work with us on the part time thing. In this economy- you'll be surprised how many will now consider it, so you may want to call around.
Its been months of planning and talking, and thinking it over but when I finally told my bosses and made it official, I immediately felt such a weight lifted off my shoulders. I have loved working at times and have also desperately wished I was at home at other times. I don't think I have ever felt 100% content with my working situation since having kids. Most recently, I passed up on a promotion just because I knew I couldn't give it the attention it deserved. That was hard to swallow but ultimately, I feel like this will ultimately be the best balance for me and the kids and I'm looking forward to it! But it will definitely come with some serious cutbacks in our comfort level. I'm most worried about the toll that will take on my husband as he will become the primary breadwinner (we've always shared that load equally). Anyway, I know there is a lot to consider- much more than just money. I can totally sympathize with your dilema.