Question

Hi TBM Family!  I'm an SAHM the past 4 years which I have loved.Hi TBM Family! I'm an SAHM the past 4 years which I have loved. I had wanted to leave my job to be with my kids during their formative years and was very lucky to be able to do so. I always said I would aim to return to work by the time they were both in school. Well my youngest is starting school in September. Eek! I only wanted to return to work part time but there are just no part time jobs available right now in my area. I applied for a work from home position earlier this week and we had a phone interview which went well and will have a Zoom interview tomorrow. However, on speaking to them they said it will only be WFH as long as the current restrictions during the pandemic and then I'll be based in their office. The salary is 10k lower (plus about another 7k in benefits) than my last job. I know that after 4 years off I won't be starting back on my previous salary, but it would make it very tight with paying for childcare. And it would also mean a lot of hours away from my kids (part time would really be my dream). But, with the mega recession coming should I just go for it, and feel safe knowing that we'd have 2 household incomes? Both the job and the company sounds really nice. It's just the 2 things holding me back; 1. it's full time 2. it's not a lot of money. And I think 3. I am just nervous in general about returning to work after being home with my kids. But I knew this day would come. I can't stay home forever. Sorry I have rambled on.  

Answer 1

Can you hold out a bit longer in order to see if the part-time type of position you prefer comes available?  

Comments

@ratchet899 I could. There isn't really any pressure financially right now. But with a recession coming I worry it could be too late to look for a job then.  

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@irremissible Understandable. But, the recession could also have some companies preferring to hire p/t, vs. f/t, so that don't have to spring for benefits. You have a lot to think about, in addition to all that's going on. I wish you the best with your decision.  

Answer 2

Apply to be a bus driver, a playground supervisor, lunch lady e. t. c. you can even apply as a substitute lunch lady and only work days you want. All your hours would work with your kids so no childcare needed so the lower income would be relatively similar as if you were working full time but paying daycare. I've also been doing uber eats and I can make a couple hundred dollars for 6 to 8 hours of work. I just do it when I'm not busy or already running errands.  

Comments

@starling I'm in Ireland. We don't really have anything like that here. I have retrained and am a qualified SNA, which is basically like a teachers assistant here, but it's really difficult to get a job in this line of work. If I waited until September there's a chance I could pick up some subbing work but it's not guaranteed, and we don't even know for sure if our schools will be re-opening then.  

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@irremissible oh ok, bummer. Yeah we are unsure too about schools. Could you offer in home childcare for a couple kiddos? Im not sure what the laws are but im site there's lots of families needing childcare.  

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@irremissible Makes more sense now, as to why you're concerned about not being able to find something during the recession.  

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@starling Yeah I could mind a child or two myself. It was always an option of mine if I couldn't find a job.  

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@irremissible well whatever you end up doing I wish you the best. Stay healthy!  

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@starling Thank you

Answer 3

Edit to note: The job I am interviewing for is in the head office of a creche/daycare. Do you think they offer reduced rates of childcare for employees? They didn't mention it in the phone interview.  

Comments

@irremissible If they don't offer reduced, or even FREE daycare for their employees, something's wrong.  

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@ratchet899 Yeah I'm pretty sure that they would, but I don't know anyone to ask. I guess I could ask this at the interview tomorrow.  

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@irremissible Let us how it goes!  

Answer 4

Ups is always hiring for part time, plus you get free health care. The health care alone was worth me quiting my full time job. Once I calculated the cost of daycare and insurance premiums I ended up ahead working part time with ups.  

Comments

Just seen you are in Ireland so not sure what ups offers over there.  

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@aestivate We don't have Ups.  

Answer 5

In home daycare. With schools closed right now people are desperate! Consider night shift if you have the room. Or afternoons. (3-11). I’m a teacher and am going to watch a couple of my friend’s children 3-11 in the summer. My daughter is desperate for playmates and I trust that my friend is keeping her social “bubble” small as we are.  

Answer 6

I would seriously consider doing daycare in your home. They are desperate and I know here even when daycares open they are discussing operating at 50% capacity

Answer 7

Definitely inquire about a discounted daycare rate. I work part time at my daughter’s preschool & tuition is half off for staff. I was also SAHM until my oldest started school, I got my substitute teaching certificate & made pretty good money doing that, then fell into this preschool position, 4x a week, 9a-1p.  

Comments

@underwear Sounds great! Absolutely ideal for me and I'm in a similar enough situation. Thank you for the post, it gave me a boost