I worked full-time as a teacher until just before
I had our daughter. After that I was able to take two and a half years off although I still had some private pupils, which helped. I made up all the NI contributions I had missed when I went back to work.When she was two and a half I did supply teaching, which fitted nicely around her as I found an excellent lady , who is still a friend, to look after her. She started school at nearly 5 and I was able to do some more work, teaching adults in the workplace, as well as the supply. I taught for a year if France as part of my university course, so I also get a small French pension. If I ever needed more money for something when I was younger I took on a weekend part-time job to help make ends meet! (eg paying the mortgage). It was hard work, but worth it. Admittedly, I didn’t have children to look after, but a little part-time job would have been helpful for this lady, money-wise and would have given her a break from the children.