There is a part-time position open at my church for someone to watch over the school kids after school from 3-6pm every day. It is only 24 kiddoes and I can take my 3.5 year old son with me. I cannot take my daughter because they are only licensed for kids 3 and older and she is 2. My mom is retired and said she would be happy to watch her if I wanted to take this job. The extra money would be gravy, there would be virtually no prep work and being a former teacher the job would be a cake walk and it's only 3 hours per day! However, our schedule gets much busier during the school year and it's nice being so flexible with our time that we can be as spontaneous as we want most of the time. I wonder if adding this into the mix would seem too much. I know in the grand scheme of things this is really a very small predicament to be in. A blessing actually, but before I bite off more than I can chew I just want to make sure before I make a commitment. The last thing I want to do is take on this role, decide it is too much and then possibly burn a bridge for opportunities like this in the future. What would you do?
Thanks,
A.
I don't need the money, but considering how easy the job would be and short amount of time it is each day, it would be like them handing me an extra $500 each month! My kids do think it is a special treat to go to grandma's house by themselves, so I think that would be great for my daughter. It would only be for nine months and then my daughter would be able to go with me too.
Our schedule during the school year includes MOPS every other Thursday morning, bible study on Tuesday morning, my son would go to preschool Monday and Wednesday morning and my daughter would go to Mom's Day Out on Wednesday morning. Our only free morning would be Friday and every other Thursday to go to the zoo, children's museum, park or have play dates. My husband usually gets home around 6pm so we usually eat around 6:30 anyway and bedtime falls between 7:30 and 8:30pm.
Is there someone you could job share with? You take 3 days and the other person could have 2 days? That way you would have a back up for illness, vacation, etc.
If you need the money, then take the job. If you don't need the money... keep your time! When given the choice between $$ for working overtime and comp time, my husband ALWAYS take the time! We budget to live on what we make, the "gravy" (for us) is having time to enjoy it!
Is that $500 a month before or after taxes? Assuming before taxes, I'll take off 25%. So you have $375. Assuming 20 working days 375/20=$18.75/3 hours a day=$6.25. Lets also assume you lose an hour due to commute time and drop off/pick up of your daughter. $18.75/4=$4.69. You'd be making $4.69 and losing these hours.
You'd be gaining some fodder for your resume, and as you said, your daughter likes visiting Grandma and that is is all good. But at that hourly rate, is it worth is? Double it, since I was being conservative - $9.38. Is that worth losing that free time?
If it's $500/Month after taxes you're talking $8.33 per hour for 3 hours of work. Does that feel worth it for you? What would you lose during this time?
I find looking at real numbers useful b/c there are opportunity costs to everything.
Since it is only for 3 hours, I would take it. I love being a stay at home mom. I don't have any part time job, and I have turned down part-time jobs cause I really just wanna be with my four kids and be at home, but I would probably would take the job you are describing- simply because it is only three hours, and you can bring your child.
Me? Extra money. There are so many things I want to do with and for my family, that a little extra money would make a big differance.
I think I would take a look at exactly what it means when you say it gets more hectic during the school year. Are there sports, band, or other activities that your older kids are involved in? Are there other timne commitments that you are already committed to? If it's just the option to stop for ice cream or not, I would take the job and put a name on the money. Let half the money go into your pocket and the other half into something for the whole family to look forward to. Call it your vacation fund or Christmas money or something. That way, you are working toward something and wont be as likely to resent the time commitment.
Me, I would take the job.
It's nice to have a choice. Every family has different needs. You are lucky to have a trustworthy family member to help out and it's nice to have a tiny break from the kids. You can have a cake and you can it it too :) whatever works the best for you. You can always walk away from the work opportunity if it's bit too much or it might be a great opportunity going forward.
I would take it (but I don't really know the details of your situation.) It's obvious your interested and maybe the change of pace would be fun! Also a chance for your kids to have a separate activity where one goes to work with mommy and the other gets some alone time with grandma. This is good for them I think! What time does your husband get home for the day? Will this job interfere with precious family time? This depends on when bedtime is at your house, when you usually eat dinner, etc. You will have to get more organized as far as dinner planning etc, but it may be fun for you and your kids!
I would never give up my freedom for a job I don't need. My time is way more valuable than that. I love being able to do whatever I want or need whenever I want. I would hate to be tied down to something that I didn't need to be tied to.
I think if the hours were different, I'd take it. However, 3-6pm is family time for us. Dinner together, go for a family walk, bathtimes, etc. For missing out on those things, I'd keep my free time. Also, it's 3-6pm, but by the time you drop your daughter off (or have grandma pick her up) and by the time you actually pick her up and get home, the commitment hours would be at least 2:30-6:30?
