Going p/t (single parent)...would I be mad?

Fittle

Without boring anyone with the details, I'm in a job I detest. I am overqualified, bored rigid and depressed because of it. It is secure for at least another 3yrs (we are a charity and have 3yrs funding in the bank). I am on a take home pay of approx 2300pm. I am a single parent with a large mortgage, one child and childcare costs, including all the other bills/debts I've accrued. I do get maintenance but am always poverty stricken two days after pay day.

I have been offered a p/t job in a field I would quite like to get into - It's a permanent position and closer to home (so it would reduce my commute and travel costs also).

My question is would I be insane to go from a f/t job to a p/t job, given the current economy? I would get some SW support with the p/t job, and would also be eligible for the extra bits that lone parents get (fuel allowance/fis/back to school allowance etc). I think I could just about manage in a p/t position, given that I wouldn't be paying 550pm on childcare, which is what I currently pay (I pay approx 5euro per hour, plus collection costs plus I work late some evenings - 550 is an average pm).

Edit; I'd like to add that I'm early 40s, so no spring chicken and am under no illusion how hard it might be to get back to f/t in few years.

Has anyone done this and what quality of life would I have working p/t and living on some welfare benefits? I'd appreciate any input, or if someone could point me in the direction of a forum that could advise me (if this is the wrong one). Thanks.

milliejones

Hi - gosh, that's a hard one! (It's clear that you have little family support, so I sympathise - most people think we all have kindly grans who actually want to help out!) For your child's sake alone, the decision is easy, go part-time - this thing about mothers being enabled to leave their babies in child'care' while they go to work must be the cruelist joke and greatest economic swindle of our modern 'enlightened' times - that's my assessment after trying very hard to do it (I actually thought it was a norm!)

But I see you've large money commitments and that you are on your own - I wouldn't bank on welfare helping out in future, as I can't imagine it'll be there for too much longer - the rules for qualifying for it are going to get more and more restrictive at the very least. Working part-time would give you real 'daylight' time for yourself and your child - but you must be able to ensure you can live within your means (though once your child starts school, creche costs virtually disappear (as other mums often help each other out).

But if you can't live on a pt wage (and your mortgage noose suggests this), sadly my advice would be to stay in your current job - it's 'secure' ship for the next 3 years, which are going to be very stormy outside. But don't waste your time there - plan your next move or get educated/upskilled - the jobs market is changing rapidly, don't sit back bored and think your existing qualifications will do in 3 years' time.

Try to take as much unpaid leave as you can/ reduce to 6 hours per day/?work from home at weekends to make up) to reduce your child'care' costs. Have you asked your employer about these options? Other obvious alternatives I'm sure you've considered - getting an aupair instead (more available these days) - renting out a room in your home, - is there any freelance work you can do to complement pt work, etc. Good luck!

cee_jay

What age is your child? Just so you are aware, changes have been introduced to the One Parent Family scheme - details here: http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/BirthChildrenAndFamilies/OneParentFamilies/Pages/OPFPChanges_270411.aspx

Fittle

Firstly, sorry, my child is 9 now (so it's not f/t creche fees, but afterschool, which includes picking him up from school, hot meal and help with homework etc). Renting a room is not an option - my home is a 2 bed and while he could easily sleep in my bed (and sometimes does!!), our downstairs area is open plan and there is no 'private' space for a lodger. I have considered this option many times, thought really long and hard about it - but it would definitely impact on our lives way too much for me to consider it seriously.
I didn't realise that those rules had changed re lpa - I had heard talk about it, but that's the first I've seen of it in writing! Wow - so technically, any support I might get in lpa, would be gone in 5yrs...which would put me under immense pressure to get back to work f/t in that period...

I dunno what to do now! Perhaps I should just keep plugging away here, and look for a f/t, better paid job while I'm here...

dearg lady

Have you actually done the sums on this to see how much worse/better off you'd be? Remember your tax, PRSI, travel costs and childcare costs wiould all be reduced if you move to the part time job. So, that's the first thing I would do, calculate eaxctly how much your outgoings would be. If the difference was small, I'd be inclined to move to the part time job, you and your childs happiness ir worth a lot! If however it's a big difference, and you really couldn't manage, then I suppose the best course of action is to keep looking for something else full time.

Fittle

Yes, I've done all the calculations. Believe it or not, I would have slightly more 'disposable' cash if I took this job on a p/t basis....I am just concerned that as he's now 9, I know I will want to go back f/t in a few years (when he no longer needs childcare) and worried that things might be harder for all of us in those few years and I may never get back to a f/t position again!

dearg lady

Fittle wrote: »

Yes, I've done all the calculations. Believe it or not, I would have slightly more 'disposable' cash if I took this job on a p/t basis....I am just concerned that as he's now 9, I know I will want to go back f/t in a few years (when he no longer needs childcare) and worried that things might be harder for all of us in those few years and I may never get back to a f/t position again!

In that case, if I was you, I'd be inclined to take it. Goin part time to move into a more suitable job doesn't seem like it would go against you in any way, although maybe some HR experts could give you a better idea?
It seems you would be happier in the new job, and your only worry is something that may or may not happen, I wouldn't let that put me off changing jobs.