Work/Life Balance Dilemma

[1stTimeMummy2021]

I was contracting 3 days a week and have now been offered a permanent role 4 days a week. My son goes to nursery 3 days a week so I worked on the days he was there and then looked after him the other days. I could work longer hours on those 3 days and therefore do the 4 days work in those days, but worry about how tired and stressed I'd be. I could ask the nursery about my DS going an extra day but then there's the mummy guilt and people saying but then he's with the nursery more than you so they are raising him not me (thanks MIL).

My husband would support me either way. We are very fortunate in that we don't need the money but I do enjoy the mental stimulation of the work and it is very good money. Any advice from any ladies who have been there?

Go for the role.
Have a chat with your partner about how you will manage your child missing nursery due to illness.
Don't be the default parent for all communications unless agreed with partner.
Share the household jobs when you're not at work.

My daughter wasn't in full days but I was back in 5 days a week after a year, shorter shifts.

I imagine with long nursery days there's not much time between home and sleep so keep the routine simple and calm after nursery

Everything @shakeitoffshakeacocktail said

Just pop him in nursery the extra day and ignore any judgement (if there even is any)

If you don’t need the money are there other things you want to do/can do for “mental stimulation”?

I also think maybe you are listening to too many other people! You are in a fortunate position to do what you want/feels right for you, so why not go with that …

(I’d like to spend the extra day reading in bed or pottering about but that’s me!)

Ignore your MIL - is she throwing the same guilt on her son for working?
Four days is a good work/life balance IMO

Stay at home with your son on the other 2 days

In an era when we have to work until we're 67, we've got plenty of time to make up money and career and pension prospects.

I actually think we've been fed a big myth that taking a break to raise children is career suicide.