Two options- What would you do?

[GoSlowFlo]

Hi there
Going back to work when baby is 10 months old, our only child.
I have two work options, and would love to know what other people would do in my shoes.
1, 3 xday shift 8am-5pm (24hrs/week)
2, alternate night shifts 1 one week, 2 the next 7pm-8am (18hrs/week)
Both would pay the same.

[Piffpaffpoff]

Would option 2 mean no childcare?

[GoSlowFlo]

Fortunately we have family to cover either option.

[iliketea]

It depends how you've coped with nightshifts in the past. Personally, I would work in the daytime because I found nightshifts completely messed up my body clock and meant I was useless for the next 2 days. If however, you can manage nightshifts without too much upset to your mood/ sleep cycle then you would get more time during the day with your dc.

[Piffpaffpoff]

My gut says the alternate night shift as its its only 3 periods of work over the two weeks as opposed to six with option 1, but I have no experience of doing night shift so don't know how hard it would be. Would you be able to do it for a trial period?

[jkklpu]

Would also depend on your dp's schedule. I'd tend to go for the daytime option. Although it's more hours, it's also more like "normality", which is important for me going back after maternity leave. Would it be more sociable as well if more colleagues around?

[iliketea]

if you've never worked nights, then I would ask for a trial period that you can change to days if it doesn't work. In theory night shifts are great (because your days are free) BUT it's a bugger trying to get the right amount of sleep in the morning so you can both sleep the next night and don't feel like a zombie for the remainder of the day after you finish a nightshift.

[StripiestSocks]

I'd be tempted to try night shifts, especially if you could get the family to do child care in the day while you sleep. Presumably your DH/DP will be home during the night so you don't need child care while you're at work? Then you will have less sessions of work and therefore fewer issues with sick kids affecting work etc?