SAHM now, Should I go back to work full-time or part-time?

Question

I've been blessed to stay home with my son from 7 months old to 20 months old. With the cost of everything going up, I have no choice but to go back to work at least part-time. I do miss working and truly enjoy it. I'm a working girl by nature with a master's level education. My son is now almost 21 months old and I started him in a half day school program which I can easily make to full day (9-5pm). I have two great opportunities to go back to work but I need helping deciding.

1) Work for a small local internet company 3.5 days a week, good hourly salary no benefits, but I can be home with my son the other half of the week.

or

2) My dream job before I had my son, manager job that is 8:30-5 5 days a week, where there is an onsite day care center. Amazing six figure salary. It's ultimately what I would want to do career wise. Company offer up nine months maternity leave too.

I'd like to hear from other SAHM or Working Moms on their opinions, thoughts experiences, etc...

Answer 1

With the full, Id just consider is it really 40 hours a week or more.  

As for part-time, can you get insurance from other sources, a spouse?.  I also found when I worked part-time, you really dont need as much vacation, as a benefit.

You also might find more message boards on these kind of topics at Working Mother magazine, and by googling Alpha Moms.

Answer 2

I would take option number one, but only if you HAVE to go back to work.  You will have other opportunities to have your dream job but only on chance to watch your son grow.  The onsite daycare is nice, but you will be working and not able to spend time with him.  I mean really look at it.  Just because he is onsite does not mean you will be able to drop everything and play with him and be with him like you are now.

I vote for you to take the part time job so you can be with your kids.  

Answer 3

The cost of things is going up, but it won't be permanent. Food is up a bit, yes. Gas is up...how much do you burn now vs. how much will you burn driving to work? My gas bill went up about $40 a month....if I don't have $40 fudge room in the budget, I have bigger problems than that. Also, how much will you spend on gas and daycare and work clothes, etc? What will you really be left with? How much money are you really short? Think of these things before you decide.

Six figures is great...that was your dream BEFORE your son....upon becoming parents, we must subjugate our own wants for their needs. Six figures won't buy love or togetherness. Day care is only that---day...care. Not family, not mom, not dad. People, some better than others, being paid to watch your child while you don't. They cannot do the job you would do.

Will junior grow to say, boy I'm glad mom got that six figure job and was never home because boy oh boy did we have a lot of stuff! Or will he say, you know, I'm glad ma only worked PT/not at all, I didn't mind not having stuff, I had her...God bless her in her sacrifice for me.

The thing with high paying high profile management salary jobs is they AREN'T always 8:30-5 M-F....things come up, you gotta stay, you gotta go...family will take a back seat to this for you to keep your job.

Answer 4

Your "dream" job sounds great, and with an onsite-day care you can visit any time.  However, what will happen when the day care can't take your son when he starts preschool or elementary school?  You won't have that luxury of onsite daycare anymore.   Your job surely provides vacation time and that is what you use it for.  To spend time with your family.

It sounds as if you don't need the money enough to get a full time job.  Otherwise, your answer would be easy.  I would do the part-time job.  But really it only matters what's best for you and your family.

But please, don't poo-poo on your degree.  You didn't spend all that money on it, to do nothing with it for the next 18 years - unless you plan on using it after that time.

Answer 5

Your tone already sounds like you made your answer.  Know that if you start working full-time with such a cushy setting, you can always back down if it gets to be too much for you.  I never thought I would be a SAHM.  I am and I love it... but I know I would jump at the opportunity you have.

Answer 6

This is a personal decision that only you can make. Your question is only going to start a big ol’ battle on Yahoo. LOL.

I think that it’s up to us as Mommy’s to take care of our children, but I also think that as a mother and a person your children look up to, you also need to be happy in life with yourself. If you feel something is missing, then sit back and think about what that is and what you need to do to fix it.

I work because I have no other choice. My husband doesn’t make enough money for me to stay home with our son. And quite honestly, I don’t think that burden should lie solely on him. My son attends daycare 5 days a week and being an only child, he loves the interaction with other children. And he’s really shown great progress in that environment since the day he started….I’m very happy with our decision with this daycare.

Again, only you can decide what to do from here. I think you and your husband should sit down and talk this out and figure out what works best for your family at this point in time.

Nobody can get mad at you because this is your life, your situation, and only you guys know what’s best for your family.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

Answer 7

you have to do what you have to do for your family and if you enjoyed working in the past then go for it. try working part time just to get into the swing of things and if you feel like you can move into full time then go for it.

Answer 8

2). If you happen to find it too hard you can quit and you will always be able to find a part-time job that pays hourly.

FT jobs that pay six figures aren't easy to come by, so embrace the opportunity.

Answer 9

If you feel comfortable leaving him at daycare all day and it's onsite, I'd go for the full time job, IF you enjoy working and want to work that much.  Personally, it sounds like an awesome job and you can always see your baby when you'd like to.  All in all, you have to do what you want and feel you can handle.

Answer 10

1st choice. And then work towards setting up on your own...use the extra time in the week to be with your son and plan your own business.