Did you go to work full time once kids in school?

[RubADu]

Hi. Both my children are at primary school now and settled - no issues. I work part time at the moment (30 hours) and have been offered the option to go full time (39 hours)

It would be 5 days - I currently do 4 with an hour commute each way. I could do the extra day from home apparently.

My current day off isn't exactly full to the brim. But it brings a lovely balance. And we walk to and from school on that day (only).

But I could really do with the extra money (about £600 a month to take home extra) It would probably mean an annual holiday is affordable (it usually isn't). But obviously that's still a luxury.

So keen to hear what people did. Anyone go full time and regret it? Does school life become busier and a free day would help with that?

Kids are 9 and 6. Unfortunately no option to do a short fifth day and finish at 3pm to do school pick up. It's full days only.

No. I gave two at school and one at nursery. One child and one adult has a disability. Life is rather complicated here.

I agree with @Eastie77 over the longer term financial pension impact.

Ask yourself if you don't take the extra day , where will the work go? Will it really go elsewhere or will it gradually land on your workload

Don't forget MN can be a somewhat nuanced audience. FT mums have even less time to be on here and my experience is that mums who are on probably above average salary do tend to work FT due to protecting career and not doing 5 days in 4 but only paid for 4

Oh... mine have lovely memories of holidays and we are will all in school age. Holidays and educational and also relaxing as a family as there is no ability to spend holidays doing jobs!!

There are arguments both ways

In the last 3 years I’ve done full time, 3 days a week and 4 days a week. 4 days is working well I’m a teacher so term time only youngest DCs are 11 and 9 and are at an adjoining school to mine so come in with me on the school run with me. DH works from home 2 days a week too which really helps. On the other 2 days they walk home (5 mins) and their older sisters are there (15 and 13) I’m 5 mins away if need be.

On my day off I do housework/errands/appointments it’s a whirlwind usually. I found when I was full time I was totally resentful of the weekend it was full up with chores.

Thanks all. This is all useful to hear.

My pension is good - I pumped a lot in when I was young and not in need of bonuses. My career prospects are very limited. I've reached a level - the next level up is a BIG jump in terms of salary and expectation. It demands travel (lone parent - no relatives nearby - not going to happen) and being at their beck and call. I'm 45 - too set in my ears for that nonsense.

No option to do the school run when working at home (to the person who asked). I barely manage to put a wash on!

But I earn enough. I think sometimes I think I should compensate for their father leaving by still being able to afford things we used to do. But actually that compensation should probably be "more decent time with Mum".

I am sticking to four days a week so I can go to the gym more often, my boyfriend has also moved his study day to clash with my day off so we can see each other more often.

I would think carefully TBH!.I am lucky that I have never worked Full Time since my children were born .However as someone else says what about School holidays/Childcare?.4 days with a day off seems a good balance and if it works well why change it?.Children will enjoy Camping Trips/Days out and so on and you will have precious time with them .

What happened to the idea of having something vaguely fulfilling to do with our lives, something that is not just about wiping bottoms, feeding children and cleaning up the household mess?

Women fought for the right to have the CHOICE. You know what? I CHOOSE to have a day off. Sometimes I do stuff around the house. Sometimes I say "fuck off housework" and watch films allllllll day. I have a fulfilling career 4 days a week. So honestly you can shove your judgemental comments up your arse.

I went back to full time work once my youngest was in secondary school. Although I’m very happy in my job and actually we needed the money so I really had no choice, if I wasn’t reliant on the Money I would work 4 days a week and have a day off to get the things done that I now have to cram into a weekend.
I had a half day last week and lived being at home when the kids arrived home from school.

There is no right and wrong.

I work fully time ( child with SEN in special school and zero family support).

Right now If I could have a day off to get headspace each week I'd love that and would be worth more to me than extra cash. I'm the main breadwinner though so not possible ( and role not likely to ever be that flexible). I enjoy my job but I am tired and have to really manage my physical and mental health carefully.

I will probably be grateful at pension age...but hard to see that now at 42!

My dc are 18 and 14. I've worked 3 days for years and have only gone up to 4 days this academic year.
Financially it's meant things have been tight at times but I don't regret it for a second. I totally agree with others, you can't buy time!
Even now, I love my day at home and despite their ages the dc love knowing it's the day they come home to me, they always knock instead of using their keys!

So honestly you can shove your judgemental comments up your arse.

You sound like a charming person, @RockandHardPlaceNow. So happy** that you're happy. Luckily for the rest of us we don't have to meet you

I went from 3 to 4 days when DD started school. And then recently I went from 28 hours to 32 hours but still in four days.

I won't give up my one non-work day now. The money would be handy obviously but am lucky to earn good money on the hours I do and that day to myself is heaven. I already do 2 of my 4 days at home though so I never take any of that for granted. Very lucky.

No. But I'm a LP so I need time to do the basics at home. Sticking at 3 days here.

My DC are the same age as yours and I've just gone back full-time. I'm a teacher and have arranged to have my PPA time at home once per week so I can pick up the DC. I must admit to finding it hard - travel time and picking up the kids means I don't have as much time for doing the work as I would if I were in school and along with the increased hours I am spending even more of the weekend and evening working. My DC have not found the changes a problem though, and I know that I'm lucky in that being a teacher means I can spend the holidays with them.

I think it depends on your reasons. Mine were partly financial but also pension as PP were mentioned and the feeling that part-time staff were less valued and passed over for opportunities. A full-time role also gives me more job security.

No. I always thought that I would, but with DH being the main earner by a long way and working long hours/away from home some nights, it wouldn't have worked. I guess it could have if I'd hired a cleaner/paid for before and after school care etc, but it made more sense for me to carry on part time and carry the domestic load (sometimes I wish I had taken the alternative route).

pommage no problem!

I've thought about going back full time for the money but I think I'd suffer for it. Currently work 4 days over 5 flexibly which suits me. Wouldn't mind upping it to 4.5 days which might work once we get to high school.

My DS has just started school and I'm continuing to work part time - 4 days with hours that work around the school pick up/drop off times. I don't plan on going back to full time - on my day off I get the food shopping done, get some batch cooking done or pencil in hair appointments/sit down with a good book. I like it because there's more time at the weekend for family stuff instead of chores and if it's a quiet Friday I get some much needed me time!

I did, having been 3/4 days since DD1 was born. I am a widowed parent so it's really full on and exhausting but that 5th day is worth about 800 pounds and pays for a nice lifestyle including a cleaner and a babysitter who does a couple of school runs so they aren't in after school club every day, plus she does the kids laundry etc.

My thoughts on this may change as I haven't yet had my baby- but I'm planning on going back full time after my mat leave and all of these comments are leaving me feeling a little worried! I love my job but financially I don't need need to do it- we're very lucky in that my husband earns several times more than I do. However should I feel guilty about wanting to go back to work? I also like the idea of saving up as much money as possible so that DH and I can buy our 'forever' home in about 5 years.

People I have spoken to in person seem shocked sometimes when I say I'm going back full time- is it really so unusual/such a bad idea?

@parlezvu

What a sad and horrible comment. Women fought to have the choice. I feel sorry for your children if you view spending time with them ‘unfulfilling’ and ‘meaningless’. You’ve also essentially suggested that there’s no value in being ‘really good at’ being ‘just a mum’. Being a mum is a difficult, challenging, rewarding job for many reasons and I have never found it unfulfilling or meaningless. I’d perhaps suggest that if you do, you’re doing it wrong.

I work 3 days. I've been toying with increasing my hours for some time now. Eldest has just started high school, youngest is 7. I love my days off, I get to clean, go to gym, spend time with my elderly mum and mum in law. I'm not sure how I'd fit it all in if I go full time but the extra money would take the pressure off massively. £900 a month extra in my wage, I can't begin to think the difference that would make. I suppose the decision lies with balancing quality of life versus standard of living. I think I will be a lot more stressy as a full time working mum and although financially will be more stable how will we have time to enjoy together as a family. The thought of juggling school holidays and child care on full time hours also fills me with dread.

You may as well. I did full time-ish as soon as my youngest went to school, although I was lucky enough to finish by 4/430.

I've worked full time since before they started school, thankfully I've worked my way up to have a very good balance. I work flexi so finish early Fridays, do school drop off myself and we can walk to school when I do as my commute is only 30 minutes. I work from home 2 days a week. I've never struggled working full time even when I had an hour commute, I'm quite a laid back person with low maintenance kids so we don't get stressed out.

That's just for context for my opinion as everyone's experiences are different! If you can work from home for that 5th day I'd do it in a heart beat, it's not the same as rushing around doing a commute. I suppose it depends what £600 a month means to you, is that before it after tax? Either way that's a fab holiday ever year.

I would never work time without flexi though, if your workplace isn't flexible I wouldn't consider it.

I've considered upping my hours and losing my day off through the week too, it's tricky isn't it? I ultimately decided that my day off is too precious, as that's when I fit in all the chores such as housework and dental appointments, hairdresser, grocery shopping etc. Otherwise I'd have to do those things at the weekend and I personally feel I'd rather relax or have day trips at the weekend. It would feel a little bit too hectic without my 'catch up' day. Good luck with whatever you decide.