If you have primary school kids: do you work full or part time

[Bouliegirl]

Before DS was at school, and when he was in P1 (ie during lockdown hell) both DH and I worked 4 days a week. We both work full time now: although DH has the entire summer holiday off.

After about 3 years of working full time again; I’m exhausted. I have a chronic illness, and my work are very flexible and supportive. But my gosh, I’m struggling to work full time.

I’m considering cutting my hours to 4 days a week; but part of me worries that I’m just being lazy.

Do most parents of primary aged kids work full time these days?

DH works 4 days, I work 4.5, I will drop to 4 when we hopefully have a second DC.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

When ds started school I worked a 48 hr week but now ds is in school I work a 30 hour week

We both work part time, three days each.

It's not lazy to have a chronic illness you need to pace yourself around. It sounds like your current set up is not the most beneficial for your health or quality of life?

DH and I both work full time - 2 primary age DC

4 days here, also with a chronic illness. I feel guilty some of the time but overall I'm learning to understand that other people's choices are irrelevant. The day off is incredibly precious to just have a bit of time trying to exercise, sleep or whatever I need as well as getting errands done and or making up any hours I've missed at work with being unwell or doctors appointments etc.
I take care over my finances and to me the benefits far outweigh the cost.

All depends on job, wfh compared to commute, stressful job etc. IME one parent often goes PT, I went down to 3 days a week, because it is hard and you want to spend time with your DC. You don't sound like a lazy person at all, far from it. Do what's best for you, they're not so young for long so cherish the time. Xx

thanks everyone. I’ve made the decision to go part time, and my workplace are supportive thankfully

I work 30 hours over 5 days so am available before and after school as much as possible. When youngest starts secondary in 2 years I may go FT but am a single parent and no family support so it all just comes down to me and no time in the week to tun errands or clean the house means weekends are not relaxing or fun.

I dropped from FT to two days a week in education since my children were born a few years ago and as long as our finance allow, I plan on never going back to FT again!

We both wfh through primary school. DH was always wfh and I became wfh in pandemic and remained that way.

I think full time (both parents) works great if you can out source - cleaner, dry cleaner, gardener etc. or have an amazing support system (grandparents)

Otherwise it's knackering.

I work 2.5 days a week. On my days off I walk the dog twice, go to the gym. I visit my dad once a week and I clean the house. 2.5 days equates to roughly 15 hours. I spend 4 hours walking dog, 4 in gym, 3 with dad and about 3 cleaning. That leaves me roughly 1 hour a week to 'relax'!

Full time but my job is pretty flexible so I can choose to do my core hours during the school day and then fit stuff in. I normally work late two days when dc with Dad finish early two days to accommodate after school stuff. some work can be done on a laptop so I find myself sitting in a car park on Sat afternoons when dc are at activities finishing up for the week.

Me and DP have always worked FT. When the kids were young young he worked shifts Fri to Mon 12 hr nights. I worked 9-5.

When they were old enough for free hours they went to nursery. When they were both in school DP dropped off and my mum or DPs mum picked up.

4 days a week term time only. Do need to use breakfast and after school clubs on days I work. Husband works 44 hours a week, shift work so is sometimes available for drop off/pick ups. I have 2 in Infant school and 1 in nursery, I will have to go up to five days a week from next week onwards

I work 7 days a week but only 50 hours, ds does breakfast club from 7:45. I have 5 days a week off for every school holiday. It is exhausting but I need the money! I've always had two jobs since my son was 2.

I don't know how people afford to live on PT wages in 'normal' jobs. Even when I lived alone with my ds and had the two jobs I was still entitled to £400 pm UC because of my earnings. I never seemed to get ahead!

I work 4 days a week (30 hours) with a Wednesday off and absolutely could not manage without it. It's when I get all my life admin done and have a spare five minutes to myself.

sorry tag the wrong poster!