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

[2blackandwhitecats]

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?

I went back full-time when my DC started full-time school.

BUT, when I was part-time I worked evenings and weekends. So it meant I wasn't spending as much time with the kids. I went back full-time Monday to Friday so I actually saw my kids more.

It is hard, don't get me wrong. It's been a million times easier since Covid and I started WFH (which is permanent now).

I work 2 full days and 1/2 day Wednesdays…19.5 hours a week.
Youngest just started high school so no wraparound childminder costs now.
If I worked full time then I would need to pay for a dog Walker ( my lovely neighbour takes them out on my work days at the moment and couldn’t ask her to do it every day)
OH works away through the week so anything child/house/dog related is down to me.
Son has braces on at the moment and his appointments take about 3 hours each time every 6 weeks with travel etc so I would need to take time off for that if I worked full time.
I don’t earn that much (receptionist) under the threshold for paying tax.
On my Mondays and Tuesdays I do food shop/housework to free up weekends when OH is home. Feel very fortunate that I don’t have to work full time.

I stayed part time but that's because I'm still in six days a week. In my job, the full-timers can sometimes be required to be in seven days a week (my colleague will have her first full day off in a fortnight next Sunday).

I was part time until my DCs went to high school, then I went back full time.

DH and I both earn similar amounts and I don't want all the earning pressure on him.

Teens cost a fortune and I need to get my pension contributions up. In the next few years I plan to drop a day.

I became a SAHM as we moved countries. I got myself a new job when we moved back to Engle and got the free 15 hours (at the time) otherwise it wasn’t worth the bother. I went back full time when dds were 3 and dd1 went to school.

teens often need you more than you realise

@Monkeytapper

I work 2 full days and 1/2 day Wednesdays…19.5 hours a week. Youngest just started high school so no wraparound childminder costs now. If I worked full time then I would need to pay for a dog Walker ( my lovely neighbour takes them out on my work days at the moment and couldn’t ask her to do it every day) OH works away through the week so anything child/house/dog related is down to me. Son has braces on at the moment and his appointments take about 3 hours each time every 6 weeks with travel etc so I would need to take time off for that if I worked full time. I don’t earn that much (receptionist) under the threshold for paying tax. On my Mondays and Tuesdays I do food shop/housework to free up weekends when OH is home. Feel very fortunate that I don’t have to work full time.

Completely off the point

But that must be a very good dentist!!

I actually dropped more hours when DD was in primary school so I could sort her out in the afternoon. I also found that primary school has so much going on during school hours, I often had to swap days to attend and it's easier tackling homework during the week than pushing everything to the weekend.

I found the 5 hours between drop off and collecting was over very soon with chores. I did enjoy the time to sit down with a coffee and a book without looking over my shoulder was a child was up to.

Also, holiday clubs are so expensive.

DD is 14 now and while fairly independent and while she loves being at home on her own, I also know that she loves us being there to let of steam after a day school. Emotionally they need the parents.

Saying that, several of my colleagues work full time and the children are doing well.

I worked 4 days and still do even though they are year 2 and 6 . I don't really want to go back full time until they are both out of secondary school. I am a single parent and it gives me chance to catch up on things on my day off, go to gym etc and also take and pick them up from school.

I work school hours even though my oldest has finished school and youngest is 16, and I’ve not worked full time since oldest was born. There’s still a lot of running around and organising, even with teens. Plus I look upon work as just something I do to pay bills and have the life I want, not something that defines who I am. Even post divorce im lucky that my retirement income should be fine when I retire in 10 years at 60.

I work part time (0.7 FTE) even though my kids are pre teen / teens. It’s great to have that extra bit of time if you can make it work financially. Just makes everything easier!

I worked part time even before having children. If you can afford it or are willing to forgo certain things in order to afford it, it leads to a much nicer balance to me. There are no rules OP.

What's wrong with having days/time to yourself? . I purposely work Saturdays so I have free time to do exactly what I want on my own in the week not so easy now DH works from home. It's a very martyrish attitude to think you always have to be 'productive' ie; either at work, looking after DC or doing housework. .

I've worked 2 days since having dc and haven't increased my hours although the eldest is now at uni. Though tbh part of the reason for me having dc was the excuse to drop work hours so going back full time has never appealed to me! I'm too used to my leisure time now. Luckily I have a passive income so it all works out financially.

I worked 3 days pw after maternity leave, increased to 4 when DD was 5yrs old and now full time, she is 6.

@2blackandwhitecats

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.

You say your worry is pensions How much do you currently contribute? You will be accusing NI contributions so won’t effect your state pension in the slightest

Teacher pension - not sure of exact figures.

I did 4 days with 1. And 3 days with 2 until youngest hit primary. Then went back up to 4 days. Then after various promotions and being pushed to work on my day off i went to 4.5 with the 0.5 being at home so i could still do drop off pick ups and chores.

I am now full time after a job change for the first time in 11 years and its fine. But only because i work mostly at home and flexibly with occasional travel to the office max 1 day per week. Am left to manage my time autonomously and do some of the drop offs and pick ups. I actually find full time more flexible as there is just more time in which to flex and get stuff done.

Not sure i could manage five long days in an office though.

@2blackandwhitecats

Teacher pension - not sure of exact figures.

Do you contribute?

It seems off that you are worried about pension
But don’t know the figures

As a i say, your state pension won’t be effected in the slightest

Odd not off

Yes, I contribute.

I’m sorry you feel it’s odd. I know I’m in the teacher pension scheme and I know if I reduce my hours from now until retirement that will impact considerably upon that. I’m still 28 years from retirement age although I may retire early of course.

@2blackandwhitecats

Yes, I contribute.

I’m sorry you feel it’s odd. I know I’m in the teacher pension scheme and I know if I reduce my hours from now until retirement that will impact considerably upon that. I’m still 28 years from retirement age although I may retire early of course.

But if you don’t know the figures You won’t know the impact

It’s a big decision and if pension concern is holding you back, find out as much as you can in order to assess the impact. It might be less than you think. It might be more. Either way - it will allow you to make an informed decision

No I haven’t.
Mine are 16 and 12 now but I still work 25 hours a week and will prefer do any more. I do a bit of freelance work sometimes and I have a business idea that might take off in the next few months but I hope to never have to officially work full time