Desperate-Piccolo's journey

I’ve been at my current company for 8 years, and it’s been a toxic environment where promotions seem to go only to those who are friends with the VP. I’ve been searching for a new job on and off for the past 2 years, but the job market is really tough right now. Recently, I received a job offer, but I’m seriously considering turning it down. The offer comes with less money, fewer PTO days, a lower 401k match, a downgrade in title, and worse benefits. It's a startup with no equity, which raises a red flag for me. To make matters worse, I had to go through 9 rounds of interviews! The only positive aspect is that my hiring manager seemed nice during our conversation, and I would finally be leaving this toxic company. However, I can’t shake the feeling that I might just be trading one headache for another. I’m really torn about whether to accept this offer or hold out for something better.

I recently accepted a new job offer after facing challenges at my current position. My role was restructured, and I was moved to a support role where I no longer have ownership of my segment. This change, combined with a disappointing bonus and minimal merit increase, made it clear that my company was trying to manage me out. Many colleagues are leaving, and I felt it was time for me to move on as well. The new job offer came in last week, but it's $10k less than my current salary. However, given the current job market, I'm grateful to have secured a position. One concern I have is regarding my childcare schedule. I wanted to speak with the hiring manager before starting to confirm that my responsibilities, like drop-offs and pick-ups, would be manageable. I was advised by the recruiter not to bring this up directly, which made me uneasy. She assured me that the company is flexible, but I find it hard to trust that without having a direct conversation. The interview process was extensive, with eight rounds, and now they want me to start in three weeks, even though I requested four. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and unsure about how to proceed with my childcare concerns. Should I take the recruiter's word for it, or is it reasonable to want to clarify these details before starting?