Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

What age were your kid(s) when you went back FT?

91 replies

OhDear2200 · 09/05/2021 12:46

I work 3 days a week, I also occasionally do some independent work if I can get it a couple of times a year.

But really starting to think at what point do o think about going full time again to top up pension mainly. My Dh works ft but his pension is crap whereas mine is much better.

Kids are 11 & 9, oldest about to start secondary school.

Not got great childcare options but I mostly will be WFH and can do breakfast club and have two days of after school care. So could juggle it with flexible working, which my employer is pushing big time.

Not going to earn big bucks but more chance of promotion is I work FT.

We could afford for me to work PT always but it doesn’t sit right with me. My mum always worker FT and so did my DHs mum. No judgment to others it’s just my view.

OP posts:

ZZTopGuitarSolo · 09/05/2021 16:22

I had 3 so I hired an after-school nanny. DH worked away a lot and they did a lot of sports and after school activities, so part of their job was to drive the children to places.

I also used a mix of summer camps and summer nannies for the 11-12 week summer holiday.

I knew I couldn't fit work around their lives so I hired help.

DramaAlpaca · 09/05/2021 16:36

I went back part time when my youngest was 5, after 9 years as a SAHM by choice, then went back full time when he started secondary school.

Janedownourlane · 09/05/2021 17:05

5 months. Early 90's and my employer wouldnt consider PT. Fortunately after going through a totally unexpected divorce three years later, I had the means to pay the bills.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Childcare & nursery Families

Motnight · 09/05/2021 17:12

I worked 0.5 until my dd was in secondary school. I was very lucky as for a few years I had the opportunity to do overtime and take time off in lieu during the holidays. Then upped my hours to 0.8 but quickly got a new and full time role before dd finished her first year in secondary school.

BrieAndChilli · 09/05/2021 17:36

I worked part time evenings/weekends when the 3 kids were little.
Once my youngest went to school I worked part time during the school day
Then when youngest was year 4 I worked part time but finishing later twice a week so DS2 and DD went to after school club.
He’s now year 5 and I’m working 33 hours a week so finish at 3pm on a Tuesday and Thursday so can pick up from school and do afterschool activities etc. DD is now in secondary school as is DS1 but DS2 goes to after school clubs twice a week and DH picks him up on a Friday.

Hobnobswantshernameback · 09/05/2021 17:39

I have four
Built up from very part time to full time over four years
Youngest was 7 (just) and eldest 16.
Mad juggles for the first few years but now with only two in high school and the other two in uni or having left home it's much easier

Echobelly · 09/05/2021 17:39

Well, DD was about 2.5 when i went from 3 days a week to 5 (but with one at home) to make a bring in a bit more money once we started thinking about having another child, then I was made redundant at the end of my mat leave with DS, so when I got a new job (FT) they were 18 months and just over 4.5 years.

JemimaMuddledUp · 09/05/2021 17:42

I went back FT when DC1 was 5 months old (this was when maternity leave was shorter), but went PT after DC2. I then went back FT when the eldest was in Y6 and the youngest was in Y3.

superduster · 09/05/2021 18:57

Probably never. Theres not much incentive for me to work full time as I will never pay off my student loans.

Harpydragon · 09/05/2021 19:06

I went back part time when ds was 1. When he went to school I did term time only and once he went to secondary school, I went back full time. It was what worked for us.

MindBodyChocolate · 09/05/2021 19:08

Youngest was 6 years old when I went back up to full time. It’s hard work but we cope and the money and promotion prospects make it worthwhile.

motheroreily · 09/05/2021 19:15

I did 4 days a week when mine started school. Then full time when she was in year 2. I use a childminder before and after school.

cptartapp · 09/05/2021 19:17

Back Pt at three and four months. Best decision ever. That was 18 years ago and because my pension now looks good I'll never go ft again (NHS).

Carouselfish · 09/05/2021 19:18

4 years. I won't do it again. Have a 7 month old and won't be going back til she's two or three and then part time.

LBOCS2 · 09/05/2021 19:21

With my first, I went back full time when she was 9mo.

Second time around, I went back very part time (3 days a week, term time only) when the younger was 18mo. When she was almost 4 I upped my hours to a permanent 4 day a week contract, which is what I'm on now - she's just over 5. I imagine I'll stay on this for the foreseeable unless something changes significantly. My boss, two tiers above me, is also on a 4 day a week contract so in theory it shouldn't be a barrier to progression.

Seafog · 09/05/2021 19:26

I went back full time after my youngest was in school full days (5yo)

Navigationcentral · 09/05/2021 19:29

Question: "what age were your kids when you went full time"

Answer: 6 months with DS and then 6 months with DD.

Apologies if I misunderstood the question in the OP that was asked using the words above.

Cipot · 09/05/2021 19:29

12 years old. Mine needed help getting used to secondary school. It's hard to find holiday childcare when they're 11 but somehow didn't feel right to leave them 8 to 6 at that age.

trilbydoll · 09/05/2021 19:31

I do 28 hours a week at the moment, dc are 6 and 8. I am not desperate to ever go back full time, I find the day off really useful, but I appreciate it doesn't do my career any favours! If I did go FT I'd want to do a 9 day fortnight, or maybe do 34 hours a week so I could finish early on a Friday. It's just so much easier to fit in hair appointments, dentist, optician etc with some time off on a weekday.

Joeblack066 · 09/05/2021 19:35

Never had any choice. Youngest was 8 weeks when I was ft. Single parent for the 2nd time following 4 nightmare years once she was 4.
TBH at 58 I feel like I’ve done enough but 8.5 years to go yet 😞

Woodlandbelle · 09/05/2021 19:36

I went back just before mine were both 6 months. Did that for years and dh and I worked around each other and just used a childminder two days. But now part time and they are at school but I realised money isn't everything and I was very stressed and unhappy.

Ilikecheeseontoast · 09/05/2021 19:39

I've got 3 littles and no way could I work full time nor would I want to whilst they're so young. I realise I'm lucky to have a choice though. I'm thinking when my youngest starts secondary I may.

Redwinestillfine · 09/05/2021 19:55

I went back FT with baby 1 but have been part time since baby 2. I don't have any plans to go back FT and I suspect with the shift in culture post Covid full time workers will become more common as people reassess.

LastOrdersMaura · 09/05/2021 19:57

5 and 3. Worried about youngest starting school this year and the month of 9-11 school days, as of most kids haven't been in nursery since they were eight months old.

Samanabanana · 09/05/2021 19:59

Three. If I could do my role part time, I would!

Flip

1 2 3 4

Swipe left for the next trending thread