consecutive days or separate days in week to work - best for ds??

[slightlyharried]

ds will be 6mths old - i go back to work for 2 1/2 days and can choose which days - very lucky for this but which days to work -
will it upset ds if he has say tues & thurs at nursery or will it work better for him if days are consecutive eg tues weds???

[Hulababy]

I personally found consecutive days worked very well for both me and DD.

[mumsville]

Slightly

I'm going back to work next week. I'm doing three days and they were hoping for a Mon, wed, Fri. I negotiated for a mon/wed/thurs as I want to spend at least three consecutive days with ds.

However, all personal choice and I haven't yet started so I haven't got a clue how it will pan out!

Good luck.

[MillyMollyAngel]

I went back to work 3 days pwk when dd was 8mths. I initially worked Mon-Wed, the idea being that we'd have four days together in one go. Worked well for her and me.Have since been able to swap days around if I want to, but have found I seem to see more of her and spend more 'quality time' when we're together for a couple of days in a row. As she's got older, (now 3.5) we can plan also plan our time together as she knows Thu/Fri are our 'play days' and it also works better if we to go and stay over at my Mum's/friends etc. Hope this helps and good luck with going back to work.

[FirstAtForty]

I spread mine out, Mon, Wed am, Thurs, mainly for work reasons as it means I can keep on top of things better if I'm not out for more than a day at a time. Depends on your job though obviously as to whether this makes a difference.

Spreading it out seems to work okay for DD too - if she has a tiring day at nursery she can catch up on sleep at home the next day (she doesn't sleep well at nursery, but loves it otherwise).

Sorry - have provided some contradictory experience there Good luck with going back, I found the first few weeks were hard but it got much easier once a routine was established.

[Hulababy]

I have akways worked Tues-Thurs in a block since having DD. That way we always get a long weekend to enjoy. Ideal for if we want to go away. Also most BH are on a Monday so yu don't miss out so much holiday wise I have found.

[hana]

I think consecutive days are best - get the work over and done with and enjoy the rest of the days. I go back to work next week Mon/Tues - looking forward to it after a year away!

[HappyMummyOfOne]

I work 3 days, Tuesday to Thursday so have a long weekend every work. With the laws that say I get the bank holidays pro-rata I wouldn't swap to Mondays as I get loads of holidays this way

[bohemianbint]

I do 2 consecutive days - its great and Weds evening now feels like a mini Friday

[mumsville]

Slightly

Well I have started nursery (not work) and ds does Monday and Wednesday. He's having issues settling in which adds to the stress (and guilt) and I wonder whether consecutive days are better.It just feels like he'll always feel like it's his first day having only two days with a gap between them and then 4 days at home!

[Acinonyx]

Dd goes Wed and Fri but will go Wed-Thu-Fri from Oct. I've been wondering about this too. I'm sure consecutive days will be better for me but I'm wondering about dd (now 26 mo). I've agonised over it but I really need consecutive days to keep track of work and my gut feeling is that dd will find better to have a block - especially is she is just about old enough to grasp 'today' tomorrow' and 'yesterday'.

Mumsville - it did take a long time for dd to really settle - not until she was over 18 mo. The guilt is truly terrible! Jill

[giggly]

Just wanted to say watch what days you pick for childcare cover as some nursery's alter their hours on bank holidays.I do Mon, Tues, Wed, and can change id I want. My nursery also closes for 2 weeks over Christmas.