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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to work from home with children there after school short term?

78 replies

ThatiswhereIamat · 18/04/2026 06:53

We have had a nightmare with childcare recently. Our dcs wrap around care closed (part way through the year in Feb!) which meant we were limited for options as most childminders booked up and so we opened for an after school nanny but we have had two one who got another job with more hours which was fair enough and another who has been so unreliable with calling in sick every week.

From September our options will open up again hopefully. My AIBU is that between now and then if we use family help a couple of days a week but having the kids at home one or two days a week whilst we finish off work? The are 4 and 6.

i manage a large team and I don’t think it’s appropriate to be working with children at home. It’s not really fair on anyone but I know lots of people do it, and we don’t really have a choice.

OP posts:
MidnightPatrol · 18/04/2026 07:03

I think as a one off emergency you can justify it.

But otherwise, you know you shouldn’t be doing it… extremely annoying it’s so hard to find childcare, but when you’re paid to be at work you should be working not doing the school run.

moleeye · 18/04/2026 07:02

What are your hours? Is there any opportunity for flexibility for a short and agreed timeframe? E.g start at x time, work through lunch, finish at 4 (or whatever is agreed) or log back on after they’ve gone to bed. Whilst not ideal, it’s for a short period.

I’d be less concerned with a couple hours a days two days a week and more concerned with childcare options available to you over half term and the summer holiday’s.

OneTimeThingToday · 18/04/2026 07:01

When you say "We"... are you meaning two parents WFH?

Can you flex your hours, starting at 7am for example, and catch up later if necessary, one day each?

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