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Original poster

If you work part time, did you go back full time when your children were school age / more independent?

110 replies

2blackandwhitecats · 05/10/2021 12:12

Considering dropping a couple of days. But I’m wondering whether or not it is reasonable to maintain this once children are at school or a bit older.

What have you done?

OP posts:
Brollywasntneededafterall · 05/10/2021 12:14

Teens particularly prefer it when I am home after school.. I am self employed so try and be more available at least a few days after school.. I do most drop offs /pick ups for primary dc and most for 1 at secondary.. Don't assume older dc don't mind you not being around as much...

Blueskies3 · 05/10/2021 12:15

I think it is absolutely reasonable to stay part time when the children are at school. I know SAHMs whose children are at school, and mums that work full time. All options are good, it is just whatever works for you.
I will be working part time for as long as I can whilst the children are at school.

Original poster
2blackandwhitecats · 05/10/2021 12:17

No I don’t think I do @Brollywasntneededafterall but it would leave me with two days entirely mine Grin and while I certainly don’t object to that, it does feel a little unfair in a way!

Yes me too @Blueskies3 … I’d love to work part time for the rest of my days, it is ideal really. Only concern is pension.

OP posts:

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Foghead · 05/10/2021 12:20

I still work part time with teenage dc.
My dh works long hours so we would really struggle if I worked full time. I think I’d be a wreck as we just about manage to tick along.

EerilyDisembodied · 05/10/2021 12:20

Stayed part time. When they were 3 and 5 I got made redundant from the job I had when they were born, where I had dropped from 5 to 3 days. Applied for a job that was part time and have stayed there (they are 15 and 17 now). I have increased my hours but still p/t. When they were younger I did four short days so I could pick them up from school and take them to Beavers, swimming lessons etc. I now do 3.5 days, they prefer an hour or two at home on their own after school and swimming etc are all in the 7-10 timeslot now. But its great having some time off during the week to catch up with chores, errands, admin and exercise.

Clara91 · 05/10/2021 12:21

I dropped hours when mine started school. It became much harder to balance everything. Hoping to up them when high school comes around!

Original poster
2blackandwhitecats · 05/10/2021 12:22

@Foghead

I still work part time with teenage dc. My dh works long hours so we would really struggle if I worked full time. I think I’d be a wreck as we just about manage to tick along.
I hear you, we are both full time now and I feel we are just spread way too thin.
OP posts:
AnotherEmma · 05/10/2021 12:23

I work part time, 3 full days a week. DC1 is at primary school and DC2 is at nursery. I think once the youngest is in preschool, I might see if I can go up to 4 days a week, but I wouldn't want to work 4 full days, I'd try and have at least 2 shorter days so I can be around after school.

I can't imagine being full time again or at least not for a very long time! I think 4 days a week is ideal for work-life balance.

TertiusLydgate · 05/10/2021 12:24

From when my first was born to when the youngest was 16, I went down to 2 days a week.

SamMil · 05/10/2021 12:24

I work 4 days a week and I'm not planning to go back to 5 days a week.

If you can afford it, why not. A good work-life balance is really important and I want to enjoy life while l can.

CandyLeBonBon · 05/10/2021 12:25

I work full time as a single parent of three teens. No choice.

Original poster
2blackandwhitecats · 05/10/2021 12:26

That wasn’t what I was asking to be fair @CandyLeBonBon

My only real worry is pensions, but then if I’m able to sustain working for longer part time that might work better.

OP posts:
Chasingsquirrels · 05/10/2021 12:27

I dropped 2 days after dc1, and have had various combinations since - between 20 & 25 hrs over 3 or 4 days.
They are now 19 (just gone to uni) and 15, and I work 24hrs over 4 days.
I have no plans to ever work full time again, and hopefully won't need to.

EerilyDisembodied · 05/10/2021 12:29

I pay extra into my company pension to make it as if I was full time. I realise this option isn't available to everyone though.

Hoolahoophop · 05/10/2021 12:30

I dropped to 2 long days when they were born then school hours when both in primary I love being able to collect them from school. But honestly between clubs and homework and cooking dinner there is no time for housework.

trilbydoll · 05/10/2021 12:34

I do 28 hours - 2 long days and 2 short days to do school pick-up, Fridays off. Kids are 6 and 8. Probably going to work a short school hour day on Friday soon-ish (so 33 hours pw) but the plan is to preserve the early finishes as long as possible. I find those days much more chilled out and don't think the difference between 33 hours and 37.5 is worth worrying about financially.

Abouttimemum · 05/10/2021 12:38

I plan to stay part time when DS starts school, either moving to 4 or 5 shorter days or term time only ( I need someone to so the maths for me on that one 🤣) I currently work three long days.

TheUnbearable · 05/10/2021 12:42

I worked FT till DS was 7 then had a chance to change my hours and ended up 25 hours a week over 5 days so I could pick up after school as they agreed I could start at 8am. DH did school drop off or when on a trip overseas school had a really good breakfast club.

People say a well paid job in school hours is like goldust or unicorn poo and they are and I’m incredibly grateful I managed to get one. I already had almost 20 years full time defined benefits pension contributions. Where I worked changed to a career average pension so I had 10 years of contributions there as well as the 20 in my previous job. So I was ok with my pension set up.

TeenTitan007 · 05/10/2021 12:49

I did 4 days per week after DD1. Then went back to FT when she went to school. Then had DD2 so dropped to 3 days. Then did 4 days when she went to school. Did a trial of FT for 6 months and it was unmanageable. The girls need me too much before/after school and there is too much life & school admin to squeeze in. I am happy back at 4 days - I have one in primary and one in secondary. Don't see myself going back to FT (Ever). Wink

TeenTitan007 · 05/10/2021 12:50

Oh and I try to top up my pension separately (person pension) so that I don't miss out on that. We first do mine and then DH's.

TeenTitan007 · 05/10/2021 12:50

*personal pension

mistermagpie · 05/10/2021 12:54

I work three days a week and have three kids. Only one is at school so far but even when they all are I don't think I'll go back full time. The summer is quite hard to manage, never mind expensive, unless you are in a term-time job, especially with multiple children. Plus there is all the after school clubs and all that, there can be quite a lot of running around to do with that and my days off work are really hectic!

I will probably go back full time when my youngest goes to secondary but I'm not even sure about that. I'm in my 40s and will be in my 50s by then with three teenagers...

Carandi · 05/10/2021 13:13

I went back 3 days per week after each mat leave (2 DDs). Once my youngest was at nursery I increased to 4 days and then when she started primary school I went back full time. It's what worked for me. You have to do what works best for you. There is no right or wrong thing to do.

SquigglePigs · 05/10/2021 13:15

DD is only 2 so obviously can't answer from my own perspective but I have several colleagues (male and female) who work part time with school age children so I don't think it's a given by any means. I'm certainly not planning on it.

toptomatoes · 05/10/2021 13:19

I work 4 days with one still left at primary. It gives me flex to swap day off for teacher training days, holidays, appointments and I do admin, errands and cleaning on that day as weekends are full of sports clubs. I will consider full time again once the youngest goes to secondary in a few years.