Mumsnet Talk

I've been doing this for 5/6 years. I've shortened my lunch hour and lenghthened my working day. It has it good points and its bad. I get an extra day at home with the children and childcare costs are less. On the down side I'm permanently exhausted. 3 days of being a SAHM and a full time job feels quite a lot like working an 8 day week most of the time! That said it is preferable to doing 5 days at work with all the extra costs that would come with.

I do 5 into 4 days and agree with what Librarian by Day has already said.

I went back to do 30hrs working hrs rather than 37hrs. Tues and Thurs I work 8.15-5.45pm at home. I find it a real struggle as full on all day (no chat at home) its mum mode at 5.45, tea, play, bath, bed, talk with Dad, wash pots, washing in & up. It's 9pm and knackered, then up again at 1am and sometimes 3am and fully up at 5ish with LO. Looking to reduce hrs now to 24 working 4 days a week in the office rather than condensing when working from home. Alas may not be able to afford it!! I want to give more time to LO who's 9mnths now, coming home at 4pm would suit to = a less stressed mummy. Feel lazy though reading other comments...

My friend used to do that, i.e. fitting 40 hours into 4 days, she said it was bloody hard.
If you need childcare, this adds to the pressure to find a childcare for long days.
By the way, I notice that childcare providers often charge full-day's rate x 4 days, but when it comes to full-time (5 days) they are able to offer a discount. When I calculated this option for myself, it appeared that I would be paying for 4 days childcare almost the same as full week.

My employer would not have agreed to condense working hours anyway, but as I now work 9:00 - 4:30, I find my days and taking care of my DC stressless and enjoyable, rather than tired and rushing.