considering working part time - would you do it?

i may possibly be able to work 4 days at my job instead of 5. it would mean a reduction in salary of about $160 a week. plus i would most likely accrue sick and vacation days at a slower rate.

i never thought i would be the kind of mom who would want to stay at home but now that DS is here, it's all i want financially it's not feasible for me to quit, we have too many bills.

although it doesn't seem like much $$, working part time would really affect us. we are paying off our CC debt and saving for a house. if i stayed at home an extra day that would take a lot longer to do.

i wonder... is it worth it just for that one extra day with DS?

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

It's hard to say...we all have different opinions...and different financial situations. So it's hard to tell you if it's worth it...I sincerely don't know.

But I can say that DH and I have talked about my working PT when DS is in school. But that's not an option with my current employer or really in my line of work...so my hopes (and I'm really very excited about it) would be to start working in a daycare and go to school to open more opportunities in child care. That would be a paycut for me but if it would allow me to be home for my kids it's what I want...but that is far away right now...so we have time to plan...and that was the point I have taken so long to make...the planning and saving.

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

I think it's totally worth it. I went from full-time to three days and have no regrets. I also work two nights for a few hours when DH is home to make up some of the money. I have those two days at home though that I cherish so much. Wouldn't you save some money on daycare? Would that offset some of the money you would lose? Can you get creative with scheduling? It's definitely a tough decision.

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

I think this is only a question you can answer. I do know that when DD was in daycare, the rate was the same whether she went 5 days or 4, so that's something to think about if that's how your childcare provider works.

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

I would do it. but thats juts me.everyone will have their own opinion. If you can swing it financially...its extra bonding time with DC

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

Posted by Summerrluvv

I think this is only a question you can answer. I do know that when DD was in daycare, the rate was the same whether she went 5 days or 4, so that's something to think about if that's how your childcare provider works.

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

For me, in my personal situation, it wouldn't be worth it. Aside from the lower amount of pay, I would also lose other benefits. And as Summer mentioned, my daycare would charge me for 5 days even if DS only went for 4. All of this put together doesn't really make it a worthwhile situation for me.

In your situation, if all you are talking about is $160.00 less per week, I would consider it, especially if you are allowed to be flexible on what days you work. Like for example, if DS is sick, you could stay home that day and make up the time another day so you didn't have to take a sick day.

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

I'd do it

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

If I could I would work 4 days a week now and then switch to 5 days if financially the 4 days wasnt working.

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

It is certainly a very personal decision. I just know that we never get this time back with our little ones. For me, my DH went PT to be home with DD during the day and he goes to work when I get home. Is it a monetary sacrifice for us? Sure but we opt to make the sacrifice now so that we are home with our child (soon to be children). To us, it's worth not going out to dinner much or spending frivolously.

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

I work part time but we can afford it to some extent.

I love being a SAHM during the week and work only a few hours per week.

I did have to make some sacrifices. I have to be VERY frugal. No crazy shopping. No vacation to exotic places (or further away than the Hamptons for a few days). I also work on weekends and I don't spend a lot of time with DH during the weekend when he is off. And I do some house calls during the week once in a while.

That being said, that works for "us".

If you can afford the salary cut then do it if it's what to want to do. Do a budget and calculate what you will have to cut. After that, see if you can live without the "extras" that you have to cut out of your life. It's not easy and it requires commitment to stick to it. If you feel that you will have a hard time without some extras, then it might not be a good idea. For example, I stopped buying expensive bags, shoes, vacations, etc. I also cannot participate in classes for DS. That is probably the most "painful" for me because I wish I could afford Gymboree or safeTswin. So I have to be creative in finding ways to do things with him that are free or not too expensive.

Do you have the opportunity to go back to FT if it does not work out?

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

I am a SAHM now and I have to say I give huge PROPS to any mom working full time.

If I was in your position, I would stay home the extra day. Try it out, is it possible for you to switch back if its to tough financially? If its not going to kill you, (missing mortgage pmts, etc) but will just cause you to take longeer to pay off your debt, then I say go for it. He only grows up once!

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

I am working flex time right now - I work 40 hours per week but do 4 x 10 hour days. I am off wednesdays and it is so awesome to have that extra day with DS and not have to work more than 2 days in a row. Maybe that could be an option for you?

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

Are you allowed to work from home?

At my job we are allowed to work from home one day a week - that way I get extra time with Alex in the morning and afternoon, and gives me just the fix I need every week, without cutting on my salary...

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

I do just that

I changed from 5 days a week to 4

It is SO worth it to me because the other days by the time I get home or pick him up from my parents, we get home he eats dinner, gets changed into his PJs and plays for maybe half an hour or less, then goes to bed. I hardly get anytime with him Tues-Fri. Monday is Mommy/seamus day and we hang out, play, go shopping, etc. Its very important to me and I can work OT and make up the difference. I work 38 hours a week instead of 40 so it wasnt too big of a difference for me

And if you are losing 160 a week - that is about $8000 a year. After taxes, I would assume its about a little over $5000. Can you do without that money?

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

I returned to work after 3 months with DS FT…after another 3 months I quit that job and got another working only 3 days a week. I cut my salary by A LOT. As a lot of other women pointed out, I changed my lifestyle, I cut coupons, don’t spend a lot on unnecessary items, etc.

Is it worth it? Without a doubt.

First when I was working FT, I felt I didn’t get to enjoy DS on the weekends because there were parties to attend, errands to run, household things to do, etc. I felt like I was just dragging him from one thing on my To Do list to another.

Now I work 3 days…so I space out my errands and I really get to just sit and enjoy DS. I also got to see him take his first steps, crawl for the first time, etc.
I had a really hard decision deciding to go PT because I LOVED my FT job and I had to leave that all together. But someone on here said (in an unrelated thread)
“being home with your child is a once in a lifetime opportunity…once they grow that’s it you can never get those moments back (I paraphrase) and its true…I say try it out, you would be surprise what you can do $$ if you really put your mind into it and I personally don’t think you will regret having more time with your little one.

And as I look at it…if financially things get too tight, you can always go back FT…

Message edited 12/10/2008 4:17:36 PM.

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

I work four days a week and its fine, if I had it my way, I would want to work 3 days a week, but I can't do my job in 3 days.

Four days is good, its worth the money imo

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

I cut out a ton of stuff and no longer save for our house.

I don't regret a single thing about my decision.

If your DH is on board, I would go for it.

My cousin just went down to 4 days a week, her life has changed so much because of it. She now has fridays off...so she goes to gymboree on friday morning, then grocery shopping...cleans her house.

So friday night, she is free with a fun weekend ahead of her since all her chores are done. That's what makes the money cut worth it, make the most of that extra day off.

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

This is just my opinion... I would jump on it... I know it's interesting when people tell me that they are amazed that I'd want to not work b/c I have an advanced degree and the type of work I do... truth be told (especially with what I'm dealing with now)... you don't get the time with DC back... jobs come and go (don't I know it) and employers are cold, greedy b*st*rds... I know for me that this next gig I take will be for about a year... then I'm going to seek out p/t or flex time positions. My line of work is unique in that I make my own hours and financially get some things most people dont (ex. I don't pay for a car) - which is the ONLY reason I went back f/t. Had I had an office job without a substantial bonus and the car thing among other things paid for... I would have quit altogether.

JMO... you do need to do what is best for you and your family though.

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

Like PPs have said, it depends on a lot. What day of the week would you have off? Would it be your choice? Can you add hours to the other four days to either bring you back to the full 40 or closer so you're not losing out on the full $160 a week?

I work a compressed work week - 10 hour days M,T,R,F and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I do still have to pay for 5 days at daycare since DS is still in the infant room but I'm not taking a cut in salary so it's sort of irrelevant. It's also nice to be able to make dr appointments for those days and if I need to drop him for 2 hours, I do (though those days are quite rare - maybe 2x in the almost 4 months I've been doing it).

If they're willing to work with you on the schedule, I would see just how far. Even going in 1/2 hour earlier and staying 1/2 hour later would make up another half day and that would leave you with only $80/week less. Taking out the amount you'd pay in childcare (which seems to be about $50), $30 would be a no brainer.

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

Right now, I would keep working the extra day, as much as it would suck big time. $160 week is $8300 a year. It does add up. As much as your time with your child is priceless, so is being avbe to be a SAHM or even PT eventually or even with your 2nd ( ). It will pay off in the long run to hold off for now, IMHO

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

Only you can answer that question. Is there any way you can work longer days so you can remain full time, but still get that extra day with your baby? Hope it works out for you and your family

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

Posted by 1stimemom

Right now, I would keep working the extra day, as much as it would suck big time. $160 week is $8300 a year. It does add up. As much as your time with your child is priceless, so is being avbe to be a SAHM or even PT eventually or even with your 2nd ( ). It will pay off in the long run to hold off for now, IMHO

Re: considering working part time - would you do it?

I also would look into flex time and work 4 longer days. I did that when I first went back to work. I worked 7 to 5. I had to get up early but it gave me some time in the evening to spend with DD plus Wednesdays, my day off. Now, I got a new job with higher pay so I work 4 8 hour days and get paid more than before I hope to eventually knock it down to 3 days (and one evening) but I am taking it one day at a time so that I don't sacrifice too much money. My thoughts on it were that although I wanted to spend as much time as I could with DD, I also had financial goals for our family. I didn't want to delay our goal of a house (we are in a condo) because I felt that too would benefit DD as it would give her more play space inside and out and would bring a sibling someday. This works best for our family, you have to figure out what works best for yours.

Oh, and it seems like a few of us have chosen to take Weds and I think it is the best day off. Like Julz said, never more than 2 days of a work in a row!! It makes the week so much more manageable!