Taking a step back professional options

[waverly]

Help me choose an option

1. Ask boss to work part time.  I would retain my pension, but lower salary, no healthcare and less days off.  He may decline as I am a manager. I could increase someone else's hours and responsibilities to counteract part of it at lower pay, so employer saves money.  DS and DH really want me home for the kids after school instead of aftercare forever, but I gave up on the idea of working from home in the afternoons.  I would rather just work 9-3 daily. We do have a department head that works part time and just started managing people, so maybe possible. 

2. Quit the job and take another job it could be full time, but not as a manager.  Lower salary, still get pension.  Still get healthcare etc. One evening a week, 1 weekend a month.  Have to find evening childcare once a week, so additional expense.

3. Go part time- different job, salary cut, hours cut, so money wise it would be more just for fun money as my salary would go down by 40K.  One evening a week, 1 weekend a month.  More time with the kids.  In my town so no commute.  Lose pension, but I could get it back if I switch jobs later on to a full time job.  

[2chatter]

waverly - have you considered a sitter instead of aftercare? With more than one child it saves me
money, and I am super excited as the kids get all the benefit of a sahm schedule and I don't touch my career or income (in my case the cut would be more like the third option below if I went part time).

[twinmomma]

I think I'd start with asking for the part time schedule - it's worth it to feel out the reaction before you do more drastic changes, right? Do you need your healthcare?

[waverly]

I can get healthcare with H. As far as a sitter that might be good for next year when they are both in aftercare. DD is still in pre-k, so it is one price for the whole day. Next year she goes to K.

[2chatter]

I would compare one and two - but the weekend day does give me serious pause. I think it would be fine until about 4th grade for the youngest child - we run like mad all weekend and I need the time to run errands too.

[supertrooper1]

I agree with twinmomma, and start with option one. What is the worst that could happen? Your boss says no? If that's the case, then look into your other options.

[l504]

2chatter do you mind providing how much you pay and for how many kids? This is something I'm interested in for next year.

[l504]

I'd try option 1, but if that did not workout I'd probably also look into a sitter. All of this is dependent on your job satisfaction in your current role.

[saraml13]

Yeah, my advice would be: Try #1. If that fails, try to make current situation work with a sitter or other arrangements. Then #3. I don't think #2 is appealing. In my experience, I've had more flexibility as a manager than as an individual contributor because I've had more autonomy and can delegate. Even though taking a position with less responsibility may sound easier, I think a different full time role at a new company where you have to prove yourself will end up being more work, not less.

[waverly]

My job satisfaction is ok. Not great, not terrible. I am management so I deal with a lot of crap. I have several problem people, ironically the people with the most problems are not in my department but cause the most issues that I have to deal with because my boss doesn't want to deal with it.

It would be nice not to be management anymore or have less of a commute, but I would have less control over my schedule. I am not sure which is better.

I don't mind working the occasional weekend because I get a day off during the week which is me time. Not really because I clean the house and do laundry, but I try to take at least 2-3 hours as my time to watch a show or go shopping or whatever.

[2chatter]

l504 - here the norm is $10/hour; I am paying $100/week for 8 hours. $400/month is less than aftercare for two, and I don't have to pick them up anywhere/play dates/I am so excited.

[waverly]

Based on those prices a babysitter might be a good way to go for me next year because it would be $160 for 2 in aftercare compared to $100 for a sitter. It would be nice not to have to pick them up even though it's right by my house. Mine would be 10 hours though 3:30-5:30, well maybe 9 hours since I get off earlier on Fridays.  I like the idea of a weekly wage, so I don't have to pay them extra if I get home at 5:35.  

[2chatter]

waverly - I have picked friends' kids up from aftercare and while it's at the end of my street, it's like one more administrative activity (searching for the kids on the iPad, typing my name and signing) sends me over the edge. It's so funny to me that I would even spend more to avoid standing there while they call for the kids on the walkie talkie. Longest 4 minutes of my life, every time!

[waverly]

Yes mine has 2 doors. Ring door bell at first door, wait for them to let me in, walk to classroom, sign out pre-k child. Put pre-k child in the car, drive over to the other door because it is just far enough away that walking is stupid. Walk from there to second door. Bang on door because doorbell is broken. Walk all the way across the room to sign the sheet, why not have it by the door?

Door issues I am assuming are public school issues not aftercare issue because they rent the space. 

This is to save $100 a week from our center, where it was just one building, but 10 min out of my way and still two classroom pick-ups anyway.

[2chatter]

waverly - total beat down! It really cracks me up the weird things that make my skin crawl. The two doors - omg!!

[sdlaura]

Reading the accounts of picking up kids at aftercare makes me glad I already hired someone to do that a few days a week

[waverly]

I'm vested in my pension, so I can retire now right? I am sure if I did my pension would be something like $100 a month. Oh well.... I don't want to be homeless, so keep working I guess? ?