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Original poster

If you had the choice, would you work school hours all year round, or longer days term-time only?

43 replies

MontyBowJangles · 18/04/2019 10:19

Kids are 5 and 8. I've been a SAHM for 5 years and am now looking to return to work. Ideally only want to do a max of 20-22hrs a week.

On one hand I'd love to be able to continue to do school run every day. On the other, term-time only appeals so I can enjoy the hols every six weeks with them.

This is rather hypothetical as I realise I won't have the choice (the job market is tough right now!).

Just wondered what YOU would do in my position?

OP posts:
Redlocks28 · 18/04/2019 10:23

I would rather work school hours all year round. As a teacher, the holidays are great, but I end up ill for half of them and frantically catching up for the other half due to the stressful nature of the job. If I was working school hours all of the time, I don’t think things would be such a rollercoaster.

NotAnotherJaffaCake · 18/04/2019 10:27

I do short days all year round (well, one or two longer days as well). Short days in the holidays can be quite good - a lot of holiday activities/camps can be 10am to 4pm, which is useless if you need to work a full day. Also 6 weeks of just the kids would do all of us in.

CherryPlum · 18/04/2019 10:41

I work school hours all year rou d, it works really well for us as it means that I'm around every day to collect the kids from school, I'm there to take them to any after school activities they want to try, they can have friends over anytime, I get them to do homework and music practice, I get adequate time to prepare a decent evening meal. It's particularly lovely in the summer as the afternoon/evening feels so nice and long. And in the winter we can be home, dry and settled by 4pm if we want 😀

I hope you find the job that you want.

Original poster
MontyBowJangles · 18/04/2019 10:43

Yes, I'm thinking all year-round might be best too. Esp after five years out...I've kinda done my bit of looking after the kids all school holidays! Plus we can then still take the kids out of school for much cheaper term-time holidays (sorry @Redlocks28 !).

OP posts:
Bubblysqueak · 18/04/2019 10:45

I'm really lucky as I do both. I work 9.30-2.30 term time only!

MrsBlondie · 18/04/2019 10:46

I do school hours all year round (well I don't do drop off but I collect). Its easier in the holidays as you can collect them at 3pm rather than 6pm. It would be nice to have the holidays off work but this way saves on childcare in term time too.

Original poster
MontyBowJangles · 18/04/2019 10:48

@CherryPlum thank you! And you make it sound rather idyllic Smile I'm so so scared of the change but it feels like the right time to get back into work and start getting some financial independence back.

The job ad says 37.5hrs a week all-year-round work preferable.

Preferable...hmmm..I might drop them an email to see how few hours I could get away with before applying?!

OP posts:
Original poster
MontyBowJangles · 18/04/2019 17:08

Ok so they definitely want all year round working, and are thinking about whether they could reduce the hours to 22 and letting me know next week.

I definitely don't want full time so if they can't sort a job share or drop the hours down then that's the decision made for me...

OP posts:
Original poster
MontyBowJangles · 18/04/2019 17:11

@Bubblysqueak that is really lucky! Do you mind me asking what you do please?

OP posts:
waxahatchee · 18/04/2019 17:14

I do a different variation. All year round two school hour days, 2 long days and a day off! All to myself! Also very flexible so can work a few of my days of so I can take more time off on holidays

YouJustDoYou · 18/04/2019 17:19

I wish I could do school hours. I'm sahp at the moment as have young children and dh has highly erratic schedule. My old career was extremely non-family friendly. Any work I would get would be either menial, or work from home.

BrieAndChilli · 18/04/2019 17:20

i do 2 full days and 3 school hour days all year round.
I would love to have more school holidays off, luckily the kids got to Devon to MILs for a week of each of the main holidays and she sometimes comes up to us in a half term.

Gazelda · 18/04/2019 17:38

I do school hours term time, then do the same number of hours spread over 3 long days during the hols. So I get 2 full days off every week during hols.
The long days are chaotic, trying to ensure I get to and from holiday club on time. And longer holiday club days are scarce and expensive. But the 2 free days make it worthwhile.

WhiteVixen · 18/04/2019 17:38

I do 30 hours a week. So term time I do 8:30-14:30 five days a week, and in holidays I do 8:30-16:30 four days a week. It feels like it makes more sense to use four full days in the holiday club for my 7 yo rather than pay for five full days but collect her at 15:00 rather than 17:00. Although she would typically go to holiday club for two days and then grandparents for two days, if we don’t take annual leave.

nelsonmuntzslingshot · 18/04/2019 17:39

What is your profession Monty? Not to be rude but you seem awfully presumptuous that you will get a job with the hours you desire or be able to negotiate a job share. In my experience these jobs are not easy to come by and you usually have to have worked in a place for a while to get such flexible working. Jobs shares are also not popular as it costs the employer more.

I work part time, 3 days a week but still have to do 9-5. And I’m in the public sector which is extremely flexible.

Loopytiles · 18/04/2019 17:41

Both those options are likely to restrict what you can earn.

Littlepond · 18/04/2019 17:42

ID always choose term time only. i love th holidays!

Blackandpurple · 18/04/2019 18:00

My kids are 17/15/11 and I work in a school. Tis fab!

Ill change job one day to work 3 full days and im loosing 13 weeks of pay each year which isnt great.

Original poster
MontyBowJangles · 18/04/2019 18:24

Thanks for all the replies Smile

@nelsonmuntzslingshot not presumptuous at all, like I said in the OP it's hypothetical. I've volunteered and trained at a local children's charity for over 3.5yrs now, and know the organisation inside out (they are very flexible and extremely family-focused).

I don't want to apply if it's full time, so just enquired (as it says "preferable" on the advert). The application deadline isn't for another 10 days so I've got time to research it all before potentially wasting anyone's time Smile If they say 22hrs-ish is possibly an option depending on the candidates who apply, then I'll apply and see if I get shortlisted. Obvs if they have fantastic candidates who are willing to do f/t hours then they will opt for them over me. But with the experience I've gained with them, and the fact I meet all their criteria and know everyone, their systems and processes already etc I may just stand a small chance of getting p/t hours. Who knows. I'm not in any rush so can happily relax and wait for the right job to come along one day.

@Loopytiles as arrogant as this may sound I don't need to work as dh earns enough. I just want to get back into the work place, keep my mind stimulated and try to make a difference to families in some tiny way if I can. So earning potential isn't a factor.

Loving the idea of school hours term-time and longer but fewer days in the hols. I can but dream Grin

OP posts:
grasspigeons · 18/04/2019 18:29

Id do longer days term time only. I used to do long days for 3 days a week. I now do school hours (sort of) and i am really tired after a 'day'at work and its not really quality time with the children as ive still done 6 or 7 hours work. Its really helped with chikdcare costs though

Bubblysqueak · 18/04/2019 20:36

I work in school as pastoral support. It's great work and I'm so lucky with it fitting in with my own children, I also love the job too!

Original poster
MontyBowJangles · 18/04/2019 20:51

@grasspigeons ideally I'd do short days term-time only haha! But don't think there are many jobs like that around unfortunately.

@Bubblysqueak oh wow, pastoral support sounds so interesting and rewarding! That's fab it fits into family life too, you really have hit the jackpot Smile

OP posts:
bouncealeen · 18/04/2019 20:55

I would go for school hours all year round too.

DH has managed to end up with what I think is a ridiculous pattern - 3 days a week most of the year, but full time for around 8 weeks of school holidays. Basically the opposite of term time only working. Only one holiday (this one!) & I am already pretty certain it isn’t going to work out (lots of vacancies in his field so we will give it a year & see).

KnitterOfSocks · 18/04/2019 20:55

I do two long days, two short days and a day off. Works out to 27 hours a week all year round. Love my day off! We use breakfast club for three mornings (DH drops them and I start super early), I drop them on my day off and one of my short days. Then after school club on two days, I collect on my day off and my two short days. Sounds super complicated but it works (just)

SnapesGreasyHair · 18/04/2019 20:58

I do two days a week which is 17.5hrs. Mine went in breakfast and afterschool club those two days. AL was used for school holidays.

Friend of mine does similar amount of hours but school hours. She feels stressed as she never gets time to do anything as the children are always with her when she isn't at work. I feel l have a good balance as l have the other days off to get stuff done and then weekends with the boys.

No point working school hours if you're busy doing chores and catching up instead of spending it with the kids.