Working 4 days vs full-time

[meltedbrieonmyknee]

Just after some advice about working full time
I'm currently part-time, 4 days a week 8am till 4pm. I have a toddler so this day off (Wednesday) works out well
I recently received a promotion to manage my current team and was asked if I want to consider doing full time work or stay at 0.8. The workload would more or less be the same whether I'm in 4 or 5 days.
Im offered the option of working from home on the wednesday. My initial thoughts were no because I have a 2 and a half year old so wouldn't get much work done. Then i thought about all the times I find myself checking emails and replying on a Wednesday anyway, and not getting paid for it, so I may as well get paid the additional - it's nearly $20,000 a year for 1 extra day do would definitely help.
So my question is- how difficult is it to work with a toddler? She will sleep for 1.5 hours, plus I can use a film for 2 hours (she watches barely any TV so Im not bothered about this being once a week) plus I can do a couple of hours in the evening once she's in bed.
I'd like to hear from anyone else out there who was doing 4 days and has moved to 5 let me know how it went.
I've never worked from home and I think this would be a good arrangement as I dont need to worry about her bring in daycare an extra day, she's already in 4 days
Thanks!

[RicStar]

I don't think it is possible to regularly wfh and look after a toddler both require to much attention.

[StealthPolarBear]

If you're working will you not be expected to make calls or attend meetings that won't necessarily fit with your dd's film or nap time?
Or can it be a day you can refuse those things?

[meltedbrieonmyknee]

It would be a day without meetings, I would delegate to a team member who is in the office, but I would be available if required, on phone calls. Most of the time it would be project work I'm working on. I was thinking of suggesting the following working hours, adding up to my 37.5 requirement:

Mon - 8-3:30. (pick up from childcare)
Tue-8-5
Wed- 10-2, then 7-8pm
Thurs- 8-5
Fri- 8-5

[NoahVale]

what happens if you wanted to go out and about with your toddler. your toddler will at some point give up naps.

[CatherineDeB]

I worked from home when Dd was little. Depends on whether you can save your phone calls for when she is napping. I used to start work at 5:30 so two hours were out of the way before she got up. Nap time was two hours and I fitted the rest in, without childcare.

You can write emails/do spreadsheets and anything else written sat next to her watching a film.

Entirely doable imo with my Dd. Could you suggest a trial period. If it doesn't work you could use a childminder for half a day and fit the rest in.

[WhisperingLoudly]

It's definitely not possible to regularly work productively with a toddler at home. I would guess your employer would be pretty miffed if they realised that this is what you were planning.

That being said I whole heartedly recommend increasing from 4-5 days. I've done every combination of PT/FT and a 4 day week was the absolute worst as I just crammed 5 days into 4 without the financial incentive.

[NoahVale]

i think your toddler will demand your attention, particularly if you are on an important phone call.
oth if your boss has said you can work from home,
how woudl people feel calling you when you were distracted?

[DiggersRest]

I wfm a few days a week. Are you sure they expect you to have your dc at home? The benefits for me are no commute time, being able to clean the house during breaks, chuck a load of washing on and get shopping delivered. Well worth the extra day and 20 grand more!

Perhaps your dd could just be minded morning or afternoon?

[lcoc2015]

Why don't you see if you can do it on a trial basis and see how it works out? If it doesnt work then look to getting additional childcare for that day (even just a half day) or go back to 4 days.

[ceeveebee]

I've worked part time for the last 3 years in a senior role and often end up doing work on my days "off", which I hate doing as I feel I am ignoring my children and not doing the best job I can at work either. My two (twins) gave up napping at around 3 and need lots of interaction at that age when they are starting to learn how to talk etc. I certainly wouldn't plan to regularly work from home without arranging childcare.

[DiggersRest]

I'm not sure what wfm is, obviously wfh

[meltedbrieonmyknee]

Thanks for messages so far
It would only be for 6 months initially as I am covering for my previous manager on secondment. If it didn't work it's only for 6 months but I'm so tempted to save $10k in 6 months of wages..
It was my new managers idea to wfm one day, she's well aware I have a toddler and that working would be with her at home too. She's pretty flexible herself having a little one as well.

[StealthPolarBear]

Well if your manager suggested it maybe that sounds ok

[Upplaaah]

I would definitely do it! The truth is you'll be doing the same amount of work anyway so you just need to be organised with your time?? I have done it and often paid a babysitter to be here when required (or family member). As they get older it's easier (pre-school and a film if necessary). With my younger one I have worked around naps and also as I said had a babysitter a couple of hours if needed, paying someone £8-10 p/h is cheaper than giving up an extra day at work for the sake of a couple of hours....!

[Upplaaah]

What I would say as someone else has is that if really you want this day to be with your child then this might not work! It sounds to me though that they will be expecting you to do a full time role over the 4 days you are in. I don't see why you can't do this anyway and just work less on the Wednesday and at least be paid for it...I know so many women working 4 days officially but always doing a few hours on their 'day off' which is unpaid to me this seems like you're getting a fairer deal...especially if your boss is flexible :-) You could try it and see?

[poocatcherchampion]

I do this regularly. Def give it a try