new job offer & little bubs

[kittykat]

i have a few things going on at the moment one being that im studing to be a teacher aide which means i will be doing volentering one day a fortnight night as part of the study not a problem as DH will be home that day the other is the school that i am at has offered me a job one day a week to be swim teacher aide paid of course here is the delema the day they want me to work i will have to pay for care for two of my four kids one being 1 year old ( only just by one day) the other will be 3 1/2 no probs there as she goes to pre - prep 5 days per fortnight. By the time i get paid pay tax and child care and centre link take there bit i will only take home $30 not much hey! the money aside i feel really bad becouse i will be putting bubs into care when i have stayed home with the others untill they were old enough for kindy/pre prep the guilt the guilt the guilt the job will go for about 8 weeks so its only 8 days of care for bubs and its in a child care where my sil is the boss shes lovley and would do any thing for my girls so i know they will be just fine. Ive always been a loud advocate for kids staying out of child care if mum/dad stay home i like kindy/pre-prep as it prepares them for prep/school so i see a real benifit from it but it can be costly so now i am putting bubs - 31/2 year old in care one a week for 8 weeks so i can work. Ive been given the job no interview nothing and it what i really want to do and i think long term it will pay off lets face it by the time im really for full time work i will be 35 and out of work for 9 years with the qualifications that kids leave school with i will no chance.
Im working on sat morns as a swim teacher but i cant see that as making a real solid future long term.
What so you guys think? i have very few people to ask and DH is happy if im happy becouse he knows i will make the best decsion
kath

[nickel]

aah, this is an issue so close to my heart! Whatever you decide - make sure you are happy with it! I'm sorry no one has replied to you, because it's such a difficult issue to think through on your own.

I think you probably need to not consider the financial side as no amount of money makes up for guilt about parenting. Jobs can be so much more than extra money, they provide an opportunity for you to do something outside of parenting - which can be really important for some people (it was for me!)

You'd need to think about WHY you don't want to put the youngest into daycare. Especially if it's such a cool place that you trust. Kids DO like it (after some adjustment) it's great chance for them to interact with other kids and learn social skills etc. although maybe not so much for a little bubba!

Most importantly - It does teach them that when you go away you come back - REALLY good for all kids to learn, at whatever age as it seems to help them feel more confident in life. All the negative studies re. childcare tend to be based on children attending for say 4-5 days per week for up to 9 hours a day - obviously not the case with your bub.

BUT if you feel at all guilty you are gonna hate the job, hate yourself and be miserable. If you can talk your heart into understanding your brain! then go for it. But otherwise don't sweat the small stuff, make a decision YOU can live with. Your kids will be fine either way as it's kind of obvious that you love them!

GOOD LUCK