To those who went PT at work or became SAHP when your children were young...

[SchnitzelVonKrumm24]

Can I ask for your experiences of building your career back up again as your children got older?

Pre-children I worked in a very specialist (STEM) field which, for a variety of reasons, felt incompatible with having young children. I've got two DC of pre-school age. Luckily I've managed to side step into a job that I enjoy and provides a very good balance at the moment (0.8 FT, able to WFH) but ultimately it's not what I see myself doing forever.

My plan was to return FT once the children are both in school and start building my career again but I'm having doubts now. It feels that young primary school children are still so young and it would mean a lot of after school care / holiday childcare if I went back full time.

So I would be really interested in others experiences. If you did take a break while their children were young (I understand this is not going to be relevant for anyone who didn't take any time out from their career), when did you feel able to build you career up again? How old were your children? What worked for you? Did you go back to the same field, or did you move into something else?

I went back PT when my daughter was 1. 4 days a week instead of 5. Since been promoted twice, work hard as ever and am rewarded according

I was a SAHM till my younger one went to school and then I went to uni. Worked first as a teacher and then moved into HE which I loved. It all involved a lot of juggling but the DC grew up independent and secure and I had a great career.

Sorry, should have said that they were what my DS calls ‘latch key children’ which of course would be frowned on now. I don’t suppose schools would let them out of the building if they weren’t being met. DC understood that their lives improved when I started earning.

I was a SAHM until DS2 started primary school (six years in total).

Then part-time for seven years until DS2 started secondary school. For about half of that I had a ten time only job which was amazing as I didn’t have childcare costs.

It did impact my career, no doubt. Been back ft for 2.5 years now and only just back at the level I was pre-DC in terms of seniority and salary, so 13 years behind in terms of salary progression, pension etc. but it was the right choice for us and worth the financial hit.

Should add that I also switched industry and because of being out of the workforce at a time when a lot was changing, I had to start at a junior level and put a lot of effort into upskilling inc a professional qualification. This would all have been easier if I hadn’t had that gap.

Following with interest. Have taken time out of career with an intention to retrain and return to work...but not feeling optimistic, as DC approaches primary school age.

I think a lot depends on the DC and the family situation. My DC is too much of an introvert for after school and holiday clubs and we don't have any assistance from extended family. I can't see any kind of future where both me and DH work FT.

If the law changes to make flexible working requests an option from day 1 of employment it would make a big difference for us.

I did consultancy from when my youngest was around 2 then stepped up my hours when he started school.
When he started Secondary and I no longer had the school run I went back to being employed but work 9-3 for work/life balance

I went PT (three days) on a job share after my eldest so I got to keep my seniority. But being PT did affect my progression. I got deliberately sidelined for a promotion on my second mat leave even though I would have considered compressed hours over 4 days on returning to make that job possible.
I was so angry I quit and now work 4 days flexibly. I'm self employed and work for a large number of clients.
I'm happier now, but can't see what my potential for career progression is now.
I will consider a FT contract again when both children are at school.

I did three years as a SAHM then went back two days, then three. Will probably go FT when they leave home/reach 18/go to uni.

I went back at the same level I left at but different company. Like you, it’s a small industry and I did it by keeping my contacts. Kept in touch with people, while they were still working and I was spending my days doing playgroup and baby signing. But then when someone needed a role filling, my name was suggested.

Having three years out and then being PT since has definitely meant that I’m not as far up the ladder as I would have been. But I’m comfortable with that.

The short version of that is - keep up your contacts.

I was a SAHM from when my eldest was born to when my youngest was 3.5 - 7.5 years in total.
I went back 3 days a week initially, on a specific career returner programme. I had some relevant skills, but didn't return to the same type of role I left. At least partly because I wanted a change.
I went up to 4 days a year later, then 5 days after another 3 years.
I started back on half my pre maternity earnings. It took 6 years to get back to a similar level of seniority and pay to where I was before I went on my initial mat leave. I am lucky to work for a large organisation that is in favour of internal moves and building skills and experience.

Meant to say my 4 days was over 5 so that I could finish in time for school run most days. The pandemic and increase in home working made 5 days more feasible - I'm not sure i would do 5 if they all have to be in the office even now my youngest is 10

I was 4 days while my DC were preschool and I wouldn't say that I ever really stopped building my career. I continued to study and advance while working PT and I earned a lot more by the time both DC were in school than I had 7 years before when DC1 was born. I don't doubt that had I been FT and more focused on advancement, I could have pushed it further, but I wasn't standing still.

I'm now back to FT and honestly nothing much has changed from the perspective of my career except that I no longer have to factor the prospects for PT into any potential move, which does simplify things. Career is more about personal fulfilment and money than climbing the ladder as such these days, but I have my goals and I pursue them.

So, OP, do you want to go back FT to your previous industry/role? Because you’re already working 0.8, and I would say that is usually a good fit for primary school as life is much easier if you have at least 1 day a week to show your face at school, do pick up and drop off, attend an event or run errands or host play dates or schedule n after school activity etc. Both parents working FT is hard at primary school. Secondary school is a whole different ballgame though and FT much easier then.

So I’d be looking more at how much could get back into my previous career or a new career but on a 0.8 basis.

I think it depends on your work and depends on your partner. I'm in the civil service and don't feel that being part time (4 days) impacts my career progression currently. DP is also part time (4.5 days), and is likewise unaffected in their work. Between our flexible working patterns we only need childcare after school one day a week and rely on holiday clubs / annual leave / grandparents for the holidays. No real impetus for us to go full time as I like how much we're around for DS.

I went PT and have stayed that way. It's been a better work/life balance.
I'm on the same salary as my colleagues at the same level, obviously lower take home pay, plus I pay a bit more into my pension.
My experience is still valued and PT where I work is not unusual and not seen as lesser. I have chosen not to pursue a more senior role but even that would probably have been possible PT.

I left work when my first child was born almost nine years ago. I had two more pretty quickly and I’ve just gone back to work F/T into the same field a higher salary than I left on which I was not expecting to achieve given the years that had passed

I work in STEM as well, but as an academic. I was PT after my first was born (from 12 months) and then did a bit of FT but compressed hours and then have largely been PT (also a bit of FT with compressed hours) after 2nd was born. I went back to work at 11 months with dc2. They are both in primary school now and I am 0.8 FTE but school hours spread over 5 days.

To be honest, I don't think it's really made any difference. Being PT is quite normal in my field and honestly, thinking amongst my colleagues, even quite senior ones, the only ones who are FT either are childfree or have much older children, so the bulk of us are PT in some capacity or work in very flexible ways. Honestly, mine are school age now and I work school hours (but not term time only) and it's much more for me and my wellbeing than to do with being a parent. Dh is around (self-employed but most of what he does is managing others) so he could easily have them in the afternoon. I tend to use my afternoons to do things around the house or activities I enjoy, whether with/without dc.

So for me, I think the most important things have been only pursuing roles and in organisations where I felt my working patterns would be considered an asset or at very least the norm. And working with colleagues/having a direct line manager who is very supportive of the way I work. I don't think it's had a negative effect on my career at all. Lots of people burn out and leave academia entirely at or before my career stage and I think maybe not being all guns blazing all the time has saved me from burnout to a degree (even though I'm exhausted in other ways). I love what I do, but it's not my whole life and I prioritise my work-life balance.

I went back FT after my first because my company flatly refused any kind of part time or flexible working. After my second I handed my notice in, only for them to reconsider.. too late 🤦‍♀️

As a PP has said though, keeping contacts up helps, I did small amounts of freelance work for the next few years, didn’t bring in much but it was something on the cv at least. Upped it once DC2 was in nursery, then took a FT six month contract.

Both experiences of being FT were enough to put us off both working FT so I dropped to a 0.5 permanent contract. Our DC are now 7 & 10 and I’m anticipating gradually building up. 0.8 will probably be my ideal tbh.

I went back into STEM part time however I was recently made redundant.

Struggling to get back on my feet now I have a few months gap on my CV and recruiters constantly making digs about my age :(

I'm looking for FT work. Even the local authority had a similar role going but wouldn't allow 10 min flexitime (start 10 mins late / finish 10 min late!) to get the children at school :(

different area here but after ds was born in 2017 i went back full time. then when i had dd in 2019 i went back 4 days a week. in that time as others have said 2 promotions and the rest of the stuff that comes with it

when they started school i switched things around and now work around 30 hours a week, three long days, and two shorter days. enabling me to do the school run every morning and pick ups twice a week - dh and my parents do the others.

as they get older and more independent I'm hoping to increase my hours again, and eventually work back pu to full tine, but i dont think it's hampered my career at all.

I had around 7 years as a SAHM, I very briefly returned to work when my youngest started school but when covid hit I stepped back (I did workshops, craft fairs and weddings so they were badly hit). I've been working for a couple of years now and mainly work around the dc. I work for myself so have a great deal of flexibility and post covid and promotions mean dh had more flexibility too(he's a uni professor)which is great. Downside is that I work in evenings which makes the days feel long and I still don't earn big money but it's worth it for us whilst the dc are young. On the whole I've found going back easier than I thought it would be, especially after such a big gap.

In terms of the future I've recently been given an opportunity to be employed in a similar field with hours increasing to ft by the time the dc are in secondary and I really don't know what to do! I hear a lot about how teenagers need you more if anything!

I have been part time either 0.6 or 0.8 and though honestly they try to give me a full time load, and I resist, it has worked out OK. It is better since the pandemic as DH is more or less full time WFH and if he has to go to the office or on a business trip we make sure I can WFH each day.
The DCs are 8 and 11 and the 11 year old is in a specialist school with no after school care though he is slightly lower maintenance after school than he used to be (but he still wants to sit in the same room as you to do his noisy games).
I usually have quite a bit of notice of off site meetings and trainings that I run in person so I can liaise with DH.

It was easier when they were in nursery (on site nursery) or both in mainstream (with after school club). It's the SEN aspect that has stuffed us really. DS will carry on needing a lift to school (or, to be at home at the exact time a taxi comes in the morning) but DD is in Y4 and can walk to school on her own in Y5.

You might find that your previous career is more open to 0.8 or flexible working now than it was - I think the pandemic has changed the vibe in a few industries. Former colleagues might be able to give you a view.

It also depends on your kids, mine actually like both after school club and holiday clubs. They cried when I picked them up earlier than usual the other day! Conversely if your kids are the type who hate it, you might want to do more pick ups

I went back PT after maternity, then Covid hit and i was redundant and decided to be a SAHM for a couple of years and now back at full time.

Its a lot easier now with flexible working so i feel I have the same kind of balance as part time.

my oldest is in school and youngest childcare works around husbands shifts so I’m fortunate.

i would definitely recommend getting on linkedin in and staying connected and networking as much as possible.

i found my current job via an old manager i had stayed in touch with.

good luck with whatever you end up doing