What do you think? Return to work dilemma!

I'm sure there must be some of you out there in a similar predicament to me. I'm due to return to work in July and have been doing the sums to see if I can go part time. To be honest it's fairly depressing. everywhere I go mothers talk about going back for 2 or 3 days. A lot of teachers go back for 3 days (I'm a teacher by the way). But we just can't afford it and I get really down and jealous when I hear no one else is having to think about going full time. I just can't imagine having to leave my daughter all week and I worry that my job will just take over my time with her - let alone any time for me. As other teachers know it is not a 9 to 5 job. I am lucky that I get long holidays but I just feel I'm going to miss so much. I've looked up benefits and think we'd be entitled to about 50p (ok slight exaggeration). I'm thinking we could just about afford me going to 4 days but things will definitely be tight. So I'm battling with myself - go full time and have a little more money but less time with family or try and go to 4 days and struggle? I just don't know what will be best for my family and (rather selfishly) me? Anyone else in this situation? Any teachers gone bak full time?

Joobs

hi I cut my hours to 3 days at work because i moved about 30 miles away from work and the thought of that everyday would have driven me insane. I too was worried about the drop in salary and it was quite a lot, but i thought of every little way id be saving money eg, fuel costs, union, tax paid in wage, student loan to be paid, and we really went through our monthly bills and cut things. Now ive done it for nearly two years and although the extra money would be good the time i have at home is just priceless.

Have you considered doing three days and if things are difficult maybe trying to pick up supply on the odd ocassion? I dont know if your primary or secondary, im primary so it wouldnt be too hard.

I was a Manager of a Day Nursery when I had my 1st child and worked long hours and only had 20 days holiday so we looked hard at our budget and cost of childcare (company only offered me 10% reduction!) I found a job as a TA in a school which as you know meant I got holidays and did have a shorter day (NOT Much , Im doing degree and hopefullt teacher training next year!)and it was over 400 pay drop! So I decided just to do it and for 1st year I temped for a couple of days each holiday and cut down on branded food, cut a sky TV down to minimum put us both on pay as you go mobiles. And we copied just fine and very glad I made that decision Yes we havent had a holiday abroad for four years but day to day we have a good life. Could you do some tutoring in evenings or some of the hols maybe to up you income. My 2nd child is now 6 months old and Im returning 5 days a week in April but dropping to 3 days after summer holidays ( when hopefully my wedding will be pay for!)

I'm not a teacher but I did unfortunately have to go back to work full time 5 (occasionally 6) days a week. I'm not going to lie to you, it is hard. I do get weeks when I really, really miss her but I know that I am providing her with a better quality of life.

She is with grandparents 3 days a week and at nursery 2 days a week and she absolutely loves it! She gets to go to playgroups with grandma and see her cousins and then she adores the nurses at the nursery she goes to. She has just turned 1 and she is a happy and contented little girl. I did worry that it would affect her not being with me but I do genuinely feel it bothers me more than her!

When you're at work you don't really get time to miss them (awful I know) but although I'm not spending as much time with her as I would like I don't think I have missed out on anything as such.

Good luck whatever you decide x

Hiya
I'm not a teacher but I went back 2 days. We don't have anybody to look after Harry during the week and the cost of him being in nursery if i was to work more days/full time meant i would be coming out with not much more money. Being on 2 days I'm below the tax threshold too.
I love my time with him and I've been at home to witness his first crawl/walk...but I do enjoy my days at work as it gives me a but of me time!
I don't have loads of money to go out and buy clothes, but we have enough and were happy!
It's a hard decision weighing up the pros and cons....maybe you should look ahead a couple of years and think what you would regret missing the most...spending time with your child and watching them develop, or the extra money?
Everybody is different and there's no right or wrong, but personally for me I know I'd regret it later as will never get this time back!
Good luck with your decision and try not to stress too much, whatever you do I'm sure your little one will be happy!x

Hi
I think you should consider 4 days and ask the head if any way you can trial this on a temporary basis for a year, then you will know how the money works out how you feel and how it all fits together.
I am going to try 3 or 4 days a week when I return to work but reading through the LA maternity notes if you trial a change to your hours then it doesn't change on your contract in the longer term but if you cut them straight away there is no guarantee you will get your hours back.

For me time spent with my daughter can't have a price on it

My husband earns about 2/3 of what I do, so really I should go back full time and he should drop his hours but I can't bear the idea (his job is very much clock off at 4.30 and be home by 4.45 whereas mine just seems like an endless pile of paperwork and to do lists).

I'm planning to drop at least a day but if we find money's really tight I might do private tuition a couple of evenings a week to suplement my income.

Seriously though, everyone is saying to me 'do NOT go back full time' so if you can possibly avoid it then do. I think when you're teaching if you're part time people do cut you a bit more slack in terms of all the ridiculous 'extras' we have to do.

EllieKate this is exactly me. My husband earns less than me - in fact I will still earn more than him if I drop to 4 days. I'm just so worried about burning myself out. I'll work 5 days a week, plus I always have extra work, house work, spending time with my daughter and husband - how will I do it all and stay sane? I don't want to end up being exhausted and doing a half decent job of my job and my family. The phrase work to live and not live to work comes to mind. I will definitely look into the trial thing though. I might informally email my head and tell her what I'm thinking - see what she says.

Joobs

Has anyone looked in to tax credits and what you would be entitled to? I think if the household income is less than 40k then you are entitled to child and working tax credits....????

I looked into this, we are entitled to some child tax credits but only £30 a month but not working tax credit but then I did put was on mat leave not working and we have a lot less than £40k.