Working Patterns - advice please?

[monkeytree]

I'm currently on maternity leave and have received a telephone call from my employer to say that working patterns are likely to change and we will all need to re-apply for our jobs.

Not to worried about re-applying for job because I get on well with management and have been there several years. However have really school friendly hours (one dd at junior school) which allows me to pick up and drop her off, 3 days a week - term time only - dream hours!

I get the impression this will no longer be possible. Hate the thought of leaving baby dd in nursery (poor childminder provision locally). Trying to figure out best working pattern to go for. I am fortunate that I don't need to work but I enjoy my work and like the people I work with enjoy being with baby but have missed the adult company/mental stimulation that my job brings with it. Older dd more than happy to go to after school club - this is costly. No family support. DH works full-time. Manager suggested two full days. I feel guilty as working is more about me than dds and I have always managed to have the best of both worlds - obviously will try to maintain my current hours in the first instance but what's the next best alternative - any advice gratefully received.

[redskyatnight]

2 days actually sounds like quite a good deal - you will have 3 days of taking your oldest to school, plenty of time to get on with "stuff" at home and your youngest should settle quickly with 2 full days. I think you'd struggle to find childcare for your youngest to cover your current school day arrangement tbh.

I used to work 4 hours a day, so my youngest was in nursery for mornings only, while DH took the oldest to school and I picked him up. This did work quite well in terms of lots of time with children but felt like a constant rush from one thing to the next - and also the youngest tended to go to sleep as soon as I picked her up, so I didn't get the benefit of time with her!

[monkeytree]

Thanks redsky. The 2 day plan seems like the best compromise at the moment. Really don't want to leave baby dd who will be 12-16 months when I return to work. If I gave up my job I know in the blink of an eye baby dd will be off to pre-school and I may struggle to get part-time work later on, its a real dilemma.