Working Evenings... worried!

[AK91CH]

So I have an interview tomorrow to go back to work after having the baby he will be 1 in 2 weeks. I decided I didn't want him to go to a nursery being so little still so I have decided to work evenings which means no nursery fees as hubby can take care of the children. The hours will be Monday-Wednesday 5pm-9pm and Friday 3:30pm-9:30pm. My question really is will this be difficult being away from home in the evening. I am looking for some advice from others who have worked evenings while hubby or family cares for the children. Everyone I have told so far about this interview seem so shocked that I am willing to work these hours. "Will that be too much" "oh you and your hubby will be like passing ships" "oh I couldn't do that". Any advice would be appreciated x

[Saladd0dger]

I work evenings. It works for us, like you no nursery fees. Although I start and finish later so I’m around for tea time. It’s a struggle to leave the house knowing everyone is getting ready to settle down and cosy for the night and I’m not lol. You get used to it though.
Good luck OP hope you get the job

[pintsizeprincess]

I work evenings too. I do 6 to 10 3 week nights and 4.30 to 10 on a Saturday. It took a bit of getting used to but it's fine and we have our routine now. I started this when my youngest was 1 so very similar to you. We don't have a support network as family live further away so it works for us. My youngest starts reception in September but still going to keep these hours as it means not needing to worry about childcare in the school hols or sickness, training days etc. Good luck for tomorrow. Hope it goes well.

[jessstan2]

Three afternoon/evenings a week leaves you with four free ones. I certainly think it's workable. Nobody would bat an eyelid if your husband worked some evenings or nights and you were left with the children. Pay no attention, I hope you get the job and you like it.
Good for you.

[jessstan2]

Let us know how you get on at the interview, AK91CH. You might not like the idea of the job or the firm when you're interviewed or may be up against stiff competition in which case, back to the drawing board, From the hours point of view it sounds ideal so I hope you get the outcome you want.

Good luck .

[Bryjam]

Don't worry about other people's opinions, they would make a comment if you were working days as well. People are not very good at shutting up.

I worked opposite shifts to my DH for years. I did find the few that made the dogs at the start turned out the be the ones who's DH couldn't manage to take a pee without them let alone look after the children!

Good luck with the interview

[NiktheGreek]

It'll be fine honestly. This is what we did when the children were little. We could never have afforded nursery fees so it was ideal. We still had plenty of time as a family and in think the children benefited from having that time with their dad that they wouldn't otherwise have had. Good luck.

[pinkhorse]

I know a lot of people that do this. Good luck!

[Unihorn]

Presumably you still have Thursday and weekends together so not really shops passing in the night? My husband and I are both shift workers so are lucky to see each other for a few hours a week. It's just how things are with young children unfortunately for us. I don't know why people have made comments like that, it's surely not that unusual a set up?

[AnnabelleLecter]

I work up to three evenings a week and have done since DD was very little.
It worked well for us as no childcare needed. Another bonus is I'm not a morning person so now DD is 18 and sorts herself out for work I get up when I want. Occasionally I finish around 12/1am which suits me personally but means I don't want to get up at the crack of dawn.
Another advantage is my commute is much faster both ways than it would be in the early morning and I am always driving the opposite way to most people in the evening. I completely miss both rush hours.

[Prusik]

Just placemarking! I'm.going to reply during nap time! This is us

[Grace212]

I don't have DC so apologise if it's mad to reply

when I took on evening work, I was amazed at the reaction among friends and family - like they really couldn't cope with anything outside 9-5. Comments about will boyfriend mind, will I feel depressed not having an evening, what sort of people will be on public transport, how I would manage meal schedules - quite why people were so horrified at this remains a mystery to me. So you might have had exactly the same comments even without DC.

[AK91CH]

Thanks for you comments! I am sure if my husband was working these hours no one would bat and eyelid. Think many people forget that my husband is also their parent and not a babysitter 🙈 I was thinking the same about the children getting time with Daddy too! Thanks everyone my interview is at lunch time so I will let you know how I get on later x

[WaitroseCoffeeCostaCup]

Yes, I did exactly this as a single parent 9 years ago...and met my now Husband!

[Rel0cati0n19]

Of course you can work evenings. I work a combination of days and nights. The world does not stop functioning at 5pm !

[AK91CH]

Hey so I didn't get the job thought id let you know! A little gutted but it obviously wasn't meant to be. Just got to keep looking and applying! Do you mind me asking what kind of jobs you all do in the evening?

[WitchyPoos]

I did weekday evenings till 11pm and a weekend day for four years. Did it due to not paying out childcare too. Changed hours now so only do one 11pm finish. It's in retail.
Im not doing any more lates at all put it that way
message edited at OP's request

[WitchyPoos]

Not doing I meant... obviously 🙄

[Unihorn]

I'm a restaurant manager, I assume most people doing similar hours also work in hospitality but retail, call centres and some admin jobs around here also have similar hours. In hospitality at least you would be required to work 99% of your weekends though.

[donajimena]

Sorry you didn't get the job. Onwards and upwards! I don't work evenings but my mum did 4 evenings per week. It meant a lovely close bond with my dad.