Daycare takes 1/2 my net pay?!

[bebedreamr]

Hi friends,
I return to work in 2 weeks. I'm sad. I love my coworkers, however I find my job boring and answering the phone monotonous. I have had a year off with my gorgeous baby girl and she is learning so much.
Here is my conundrum: I will be working full time. I earn about 17000 net pay working full time, day care for the year will cost me 8000. That's not factoring in my commute and gas everyday either, which would be about 80$ a week. So, there goes over half my pay at a job that is just a job, not a career. I have been there 5 years with no raise, although I do have a new desk and new spot to go back to.
The numbers scare me as I have more money on maternity leave than I do working! OH makes too much for us to get subsidy.
I want to work part time, would working evenings and weekends part time in a retail position hurt my resume? I am currently a receptionist/office assistant and have a Bachelor of Arts in sociology with coursework in Social Work (I am working towards another degree).
Sorry this is so long. I return in 2 weeks and its keeping me awake. I don't want to miss out on my daughters exciting developments. It breaks my heart ! But we need a second income, as OH earnings only cover our bills.

 

[NDH]

I'm not sure how working a part time job could hurt your resume? I say if it puts you in a better financial position and let's you spend time with your LO its a winning solution.

Good luck.

 

[Pearls18]

It's the same for me, I bring back £1000 a month after tax, DS's childcare is £712 a month, it costs me £200 a month to get to work AND IM ONLY PART TIME!!! We get a little help towards childcare from the government but not a lot. It's frustrating but way I see it I am working on my career so when children are at school I am not starting from scratch, will have good wages and see the 'benefits', plus it means I get maternity pay for the second, I too will be much better off on maternity! However, if your job isn't a career to you there's not point staying in something you don't enjoy. In terms of 'hurting your resume' it depends on what you want to do long term, if you want to stay in office work or go back eventually splintering off into retail might not be the best career move, but if you don't have a set plan all experience is points on a resume.

 

[SabrinaKat]

I understand your frustration -- I do work part-time and like my job (as a language teacher), furthermore, I have a PhD in Classics, which I have used a little (no jobs in academia), but to be honest, I prefer my 'low-level' teaching job as I have enough money to pay bills, but the creche costs 700 euros out of my gross of 1,300 a month (not sure net as new, harsh budget in December may mean I bring home 1,100?), but working part-time has meant that I have some 'extra' money, some me-time BUT I collect LO from creche at 2 (I only work mornings) and we have all afternoon together.

Personally, if you can work part-time in a bookshop or museum, etc., you'll have a little 'spending money', some me-time and still loads of mummy-baby time -- besides, taking a 'career' break might might give you some ideas of something that you really want to do in the future!

best wishes

ps. notice the quotes around 'extra', 'spending money', etc., as the money is to survive!

 

[JessPape]

Ignore the OH works to much, did you file anyways? Every person with a kid in canada gets something regardless. I didn't think we would get anything as my husband makesd 95K a year, we get 100 a month to go towards child care from the goverment. Honestly.. I though of going back to work, but its not worth it.

Working part time wont hurt your resume, working and showing you have a job is good, it can actually be better than having the SAHM blank period of no jobs on a resume. (from an employeer point of review, seeing jobs and not a blank time space is good). just don't job hope from part time jobs and it wont hurt you.