Return to work - part time or freelance?

Hi Ladies,

I'll be returning to work in a few months but I'm not sure what I should do. I was full time before taking mat leave but if I go back I would only want to work part time (my DH has Tues and Wed off so I wouldn't have to put DD in CC). But I have been thinking, am I better off just resigning and taking on some freelance work (the freelance hourly rate is double my usual wage) or for security reasons should I just go back part time? I have to travel to work by public transport which takes about an hour 20 mins each way but if I take on freelance work I can do this from home. I guess the only thing with the freelance work is that I don't know whether I will always have constant work, and I would only get paid at the end of a project which could be a couple of months after I commence it.

What do you think I should do?

:bump:

Hmm

I think a difficult call.
I don't work in an industry where one can freelance however my hubby and his mates do.
He works in an employed job and his mates mostly do freelance.
In the last 12 months they have all noticed that the freelance work has dried up alot. There have also been a lot of redundancies insofar as paid jobs are concerned.
I am quite risk averse.
In those circumstances I would probably go with the job rather than freelance, at least you have some security despite the inconvenience of travel and less income. You could still do a bit of freelance on the side if you wanted some cash and the particular job suited you. I think an additional upside of your job is that you will know exactly where and when you are required and your household can plan around that reliably.
Freelance might not be regulated which may not work for you if say the work comes in and needs to be done urgently on days where you don't have care.
there is my 2 cents anyway!
good luck with your decision!

To start with go back to work part time, and the days you are off get some freelance work done from home. Once you are happy with the regular income you are making with the freelance then leave your other job, but as long as your happy that all is going ok. goodluck for what ever you decide.

I took a step out in faith a couple of years ago, and now work for myself as a Hairdresser. I rent a chair in a fabulous salon, and I work when and how long I want, so I often work a lot of evenings etc! I can also do mobile work with this if I want.
I can decide to take a day off when I want (as long as I plan ahead), and I can decide when I want to go on holidays etc.
It was the best thing that I have ever done as I can completely work it around the kids.
It was very scary at the beginning, but I have built up an excellent clientele now.
I am now able to make much more than a normal FULL weeks wage in just 2 days or less of work a week.
It also means that the amount that I am paying for childcare is minimal as I often work when DH is home, and the amount I do pay for creche barely makes a dent in my income for that day, it is kind of just one haircut, and it is paid, where as if I worked for someone else probably half my wage for the day would go on cc.
I also take a lot more pride in my work and really enjoy it. The kids are even able to come with me if I can't get a babysitter. I also can claim a lot of our utility expenses at home too as well as fuel and flexirent on my comp etc.
For a while I also did a part time job in a call centre as my security blanket, but now I don't need it.
I am so thankful to God for giving me such a great opportunity, and I am still proud of myself that I was able to "think outside the box" in regards to being able to bring an income in to our family, but also be a stay at home mum too.
Once you get your name out there jobs may start to flow for you anyway?? If you can combine the two for a little while, it may be a good way to start?
You can do it!! Good Luck!!

Thanks for the replies ladies! You know I have been thinking about it and I am leaning towards going freelance. I know there is heaps of work going at my work so I'm sure they would give me preference over other freelancers plus I do have some other contacts in the industry that have offered me work. The area I'm in will always have work and if we do hit slow patches I know we can survive on DH's salary alone (although it will be tight). If I went back part time I would be expected to do overtime without any extra pay (we work to deadlines and you have to do whatever to get it in on time) and they notoriously give you too many projects to handle at once, whereas if I'm freelance I can turn work down if I'm too busy or stressed.

Sweet Bliss congrats on taking your leap of faith - it certainly appears to have paid off, well done!

A little bit differnt but similar. I'm a teacher and went back part-time. I found I was doing a lot more work then my 2 days a week because there just wasn't enough hours in 2 days to get the "extra" stuff done that I would normally do in non-contact time or after school. Also when reports came round it was horrendous!

Now I am doing relief teaching (freelance) I love it - if the kids are sick I don't feel bad calling in sick, no planning, no extra hours and no stress. Yes it's a pain not knowing when I'm working but I get paid double when I do work and it's like a bonus every time I go. The tricky part is daycare - obviously I don't want to be paying for care when I'm not working so I only work on days DH has off. When he takes holidays and things like that I notify the schools that I am available on this date and it works quite well!

If that is the case hun, go with the freelance. You have all the contacts. Go for it. There is the upside that you can be at home with your bub. Best thing ever..... hugs

Thanks again everyone, think I just needed to get it out there to clear my thoughts iykwim? I appreciate all the replies!