Submitted by pookiewook t3_zz40qs in personalfinance
biondablonde t1_j29cdo0 wrote
While it may be worth a look, you really can't put a price tag on that kind of flexibility, especially when your kids are young. It sounds like at least one of them has special needs as well, making the flexibility even more necessary and valuable. I would probably wait until they are in full-day school to consider a job that doesn't promise the same schedule. Remind your husband that he CAN do the higher paying, less flexible job because you are there to handle the kids' needs.
pookiewook OP t1_j29i52z wrote
Very true! I am considering looking once they are all in school. I love the flexibility.
sowhat4 t1_j2afs6f wrote
Don't count on the school picking up a parents' slack totally. Unless they've been in daycare/preschool since two-years old, those kids are going to be sick a minimum of twice a month. And, if they were like mine, they would stagger they days they had to stay home.
You will be surprised how many sick days you will have to sacrifice in order to pick them up from school and run them to doctor's appointments. They can't go back to school until fever free, either.
Don't do it. The return to an office would not be worth it unless 1) you have a nanny or a GMa ready to step in and/or 2) a husband who can take all that time off his WFH situation - for three kids. All the time. Don't forget your added expenses like clothes, dry cleaning, gas, car maintenance, and just the unpaid labor of a daily commute.
pookiewook OP t1_j2b0hkw wrote
My kids have been in full time daycare since they were 12 weeks old. I’m quite familiar with keeping them home when sick.
My husband thinks I can find another full time fully remote job that pays me more money.
thatgreenmaid t1_j2b8fyw wrote
And perhaps you can BUT fully remote doesn't mean flexible.
pookiewook OP t1_j2bgr60 wrote
Very true, his job is not as flexible as mine but he is also fully remote.
UnableInvestment8753 t1_j2cd3c6 wrote
One other note: a lot people that were hired to be remote are now being told they aren’t anymore.
sowhat4 t1_j2bags6 wrote
Ah, so you already know the drill. Then, go for a fully remote job as long as your husband is down for doing at least his 50%. It sounds doable - unless you were commuting to an office every day.
pookiewook OP t1_j2bgvx9 wrote
Thanks!
Lunakill t1_j2dlnc7 wrote
May I ask why he isn’t looking? It sounds like you do a lot of the childcare, which should leave him better positioned for large changes like that.
robyn_herbert t1_j2ds2y9 wrote
Probably not goona get a response because this is the hard question he doesn’t wanna answer.
vague_diss t1_j2f5sqh wrote
This is true. Also after school activities! So many teams, clubs, fund raisers, play dates, half school days, yada yada yada. If this means you don’t need day care or a sitter, your flexible job is solid gold.
Tdanger78 t1_j2a7s8a wrote
I wish I could work from home but my job requires I work on a secured network. My wife works from home and homeschools our daughter. My job covers all health, dental and vision, and I’m not even close to maxing retirement for 401k or IRA. You’ve got a young family and I can’t say enough that having the flexibility your current boss allows you is something you may not find. Money might be nice, but that flexibility loss will absolutely cause issues your husband isn’t considering. Y’all have it pretty sweet, I wish I could work from home and be with my kids more but I’ve got a decent job with great benefits.
RustySheriffsBadge1 t1_j2aisbb wrote
I mean VPN exists for a reason. No doubt there can be other reasons you can't work from home or it's more nuanced than secured network but if is just, "we need you on our secured network", that's crap.
Tdanger78 t1_j2ajwvt wrote
It’s not able to VPN because of the security required. Can’t really go into much more than that.
RustySheriffsBadge1 t1_j2ale5c wrote
fair enough
[deleted] t1_j2cdv6e wrote
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dlec1 t1_j2dq7zs wrote
I think that would make the most sense. Most employers will tell you they’re flexible with kid stuff, but they really aren’t. You know your current employer is. The devil you know is better than the one you don’t.
Also as someone who travels for work, no money is worth missing time with your kids for a sales job (assuming that you like your kids!).
[deleted] t1_j2anuoc wrote
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hausishome t1_j2a8tcs wrote
I’m in a similar position. My job is so flexible, I work 100% from home and have been able to keep my kid home with me so far (we did move my mom down so she can watch him when I need as he’s getting older). I do travel regularly, but I have excellent benefits and good pay. Could I make more? Absolutely, but it’d require far more responsibility, almost definitely I’d have to be in the office, etc. It’s a tough spot, but right now I choose the benefits and flexibility
[deleted] t1_j2ciogh wrote
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fml87 t1_j29l23c wrote
You can put a price tag on it actually, and they are by being under compensated compared to market rate. The decision is whether that’s worth it or not. To me, it is.
MrDrJohnson850 t1_j2bhpas wrote
I would also add something as someone with kids in full-day school. The appointments, doctor visits, illnesses, and general need for flexibility will still be there. It's honestly priceless to have flexibility until they are grown and fully self sufficient.
p1p1str3ll3 t1_j2cgcir wrote
Also, right now, OP is at a place where they can look and be picky. The best time to look for a job is when you have a job.
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