Is anyone else in this position? Would FAR prefer to work full time but feel way too guilty.

[Dearlittleones]

I do think full time work (and full time childcare as a result) would be a bit much for my children at this stage. I have a three year old and one year old. The three year old might be OK but the one year old probably wouldn’t cope so well. But I really hate my days off with them 😆 and frequently wish I could ‘call in sick!’ I do three days a week and I’m not joking, my days in work are so EASY compared to my days with the children!

Theyd get used to it. Its fairly normal to go back to work full time.

Why don’t you think they’d cope with 5 days of childcare? Do you have a partner?

Honestly, I think it would be a lot for them. My part time work is definitely for them rather than for me, though!

I totally get it, I work 4 days a week and my day off with my son is by far the hardest day, the day together is definitely for his benefit and not mine really and I miss the extra 20% wage. I'll keep it like this until he's maybe 4 though, he's 20 months at the moment and 5 days feels a lot still to be away from mum and dad

Can you fix a date when you think it will be more doable? Maybe when the youngest is 3? Then make a countdown chart....

Why would it be ‘a lot’ for them. They would be cared for, in a routine, having fun, learning, making friends. Gently, this is about your guilt. Guilt which you shouldn’t have.
Go to work, earn money use your skills, have stimulating conversations, set them an example. And enjoy family time at weekends. Don’t hesitate another second.

Yes it's completely normal to feel like this. They might well love nursery/childminder.

In a way that’s when I’ll gain @PermanentTemporary as I will hopefully have a bit of time for me with one in school and one a bit more independent. So I won’t feel ‘oh no’ when I wake up on my ‘day off.’

Can your partner take them one day so you both work four days a week but they are only in childcare three days a week? Tax wise it can be more efficient too.

Yes I feel the same and I also wake up dreading it. However, we always have a lovely day together, it's obvious how much it means to them and really the years are so short. I think you should reframe this situation.

There aren't many fathers who feel guilty about working part time. Society has conditioned women to take on the guilt. Why should they?

I know - it would be such a good solution in many ways but would cause problems in others. I honestly don’t know how women who are SAHMs do it (expression of respect not of detriment) - it’s exhausting!