Going back to work after maternity

[tossacoin1]

What has everyone done after maternity, have you/will you go back full time, part time, not at all? I don't want to go back full time but my work have said they don't know for sure if I can go back PT and won't know until a few months before I'm due to go back. Even if I do go back my wage is pretty going to be cancelled out by child care and if I don't go back do I try and find something else or not bother. It's so hard to know what to do

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

I went back FT after dc1.

I didn't particularly enjoy being at home full time, and whilst we didn't have a lot left over after childcare, I felt it necessary (for me) to keep working. All income from us both went into one pot so we just adjusted our lifestyles to accommodate the childcare bills.

After dc2 I dropped to PT but still 32hpw. I was doing shift work, and the juggle was just so difficult with now two kids.

Not long after I went back after dc2 I found a standard 9-5 mon-fri job and went back up to FT.

I didn't want to step too far out of the workplace for fear of not being able to get back in. I enjoy working.

Having to do the shift work with dc1 and dc2, worked wonders for DH having to just crack on with the kids. I worked every Saturday so he did the birthday parties/swimming lessons etc. I worked a good few evenings so he did the CM pickup, bath, bed etc.

It's worked, for us, incredibly well.

[Oldestchild90s]

I'm currently shielding then going on Mat leave in August, i'm planning to cut my hours to part time when i go back. My company have told me that they have to offer my full hours back to me for when i return and if i have a good enough reason for the exact hours i want (lack of childcare) then they have to give me what i want. I would have a serious conversation with your company as i'm pretty sure they can't just say no! But i would explore all options while you have the chance

[LH1987]

I plan to go back to work full time, luckily I will be able to work from home and the day care I plan to use is right next door which kind of reduces stress.

As awful as I am sure I sound, I am now one month into maternity leave and look forward to a little bit of a break when I do go back to work! As much as I love her and as fabulous as she is.

That being said, if my wage was going to be eaten up by childcare I wouldn't bother. Its not just the childcare money, its travel, lunch etc. Also at least if you are at home you can do some housework etc.

Just do whatever is best for you and what works for your family.

[110APiccadilly]

I haven't even had the baby yet, but am planning to go part time. DH will also go part time so that we have one full time job between us (this has significant tax advantages over one of us working full time!) But we're lucky to have jobs where that's possible.

[FightMilkTM]

I’m going back on 0.5fte hours spread over three days, one long day and two mornings. I’ve been offered these hours on a three month trial basis (partially due to covid). I’m unsure about returning to work so the trial basis works for me, if work wants me to up my hours after three months I expect I’ll quit.
It’s so hard, I’ve loved mat leave so much but it would be a tight squeeze on one wage. I think the baby will enjoy nursery as we have always been quite busy with classes and meeting friends (pre-covid) but I’m of course worried about being separated. She’s only in nursery for the two mornings though, not the long day.
Not much help OP, sorry!

[FightMilkTM]

Companies can definitely say no to a flexible working request...

[Sally7645]

Yes about to say the same, companies can and often do say no to a flexible working request, it really isn't a case of them having to have a cast iron case to refuse it. If it doesn't work for the business, they don't have to accept it

[WhatWouldPennyDo]

Full time, but with increased work from home days. Might see if I can do compressed hours to get to a 4 day week/9 day fortnight with husband doing the same.

I want to maintain my financial independence, career, pension and for us to maintain the same standard of living, whilst being able to save for the child’s future. I would never be a SAHM by choice, but respect others who make that choice (but wish more would ensure their financial security before doing so!).

[TheLovleyChebbyMcGee]

I went back part time, 3 days a week, and DH dropped a day too, then 2 days in nursery. I still worked all my weekend commitments and on call shifts, NHS, which really helped persuade my work to let me do that. I've since upped to 4 days and we'd planned to use most of our AL to cover the extra day childcare, but then covid hit and DH is working from home so that's been a bit shaken up tbh.

I just couldn't stand the thought of working full time including evenings, overnights and weekends, and paying all that in nursery fees, so I'd effectively be working for not a lot!

[Napqueen1234]

I dropped from full time to part time (28 hours) after DC1 then after this mat leave will drop to 21 hours/week. DC1 in reception, DC2 in nursery. I come away with around £500/month after childcare (it all goes in one pot and we share but for the sake of me paying all childcare alone this would be the case).

I loved going back to work after first mat leave, went back after 6 months. Loved being a grown up and an individual and enjoyed my one day with DC1 so much more as a result. I love DC2 but also look forward to going back to work when mat leave finishes and having 2 days together.

Work can definitely decline flexible working requests if it doesn’t work for them but you should ask. Bear in mind even if your salary is ‘cancelled out’ by childcare the time this happens is short and there’s a lot of evidence that being out of the working world has a significant impact on earning potential in future.

There’s also a lot more to work than just earning. I love my job it’s a huge part of me, I did it before kids and I intend to continue in my field and progressing long into the future. The thought of being a SAHM horrifies me.

[Hatscats]

I expect I’ll be told no for part time.... I’d like to do 4 days, or at least 4 and 1 from home.

Couldn’t afford not to work. so nursery would be my only option.

[2020AUG]

I think I'll go back full time but hoping for compressed hours so FT in 4 days. I was contemplating going down to 4 days but I know my workload wouldn't actually reduce in reality so I'd just be losing 20% salary. I can work from home a couple of times a week and my hours are flexible so could work round childcare and do longer days at home. I've also got a good maternity package so I thought if we want a second, I can go back full time, then I'd get full time pay again and then can reduce my hours.

[heroineinahalfshell]

I've had compressed hours agreed for when I go back next year (FT over 4 days). DH will do the same, he hasn't had it agreed yet but he's civil service and they have to agree all flexi working requests when the child is under 6. It means we will only have to have her in childcare 3 days/week, which is ideal as it's much more affordable and means she's with us more than she's in childcare, which I like the idea of.

[Twizbe]

I went back full time after dc 1 and hated it. Life was so stressful having a dual career family with us both working full time. It didn't help that I was pregnant for much of it too.

I became a SAHP after dc 2 which worked out pretty well as I was due back in Jan and the world went nuts in March.

It's taken a massive layer of stress out of our lives for sure.