Which hours would you rather work?

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6am-12 or 12:30-6:30?

Parent with primary age children but someone available for either morning drop off or pick up.

Sorry that is meant to be 12:30-6:30pm

Morning. I'd hate hanging around all morning waiting to start work. Rather get it done and have the afternoon to do errands and be around for the kids.

I'm also more of a morning person, so would be more productive.

I hate walking up early so the later option

I think it depends if the person is willing to get your DC up and ready for nursery/school? If so then id do yeh early shift and be around for pick up, after school and dinner. If not then the late shift as getting ready for school that early would be a struggle.

6-12, I used to do 6-2 and 12-10, I was always more productive after 2 than I would be before 12. Found it easier to maintain a work life balance and keep the house tidy

I'm an early bird so the 6am start would be perfect. Easier getting too and from work too.

The 6am start would kill me, but I would rather do that than a late shift

I’d do the morning as generally I’m up and awake early with kids anyway; mornings are so rushed but there is more quality time in the evening with them and I could help with homework. Traffic wise it’s easier to get in early and leave in the middle of the day. I could also run to the shops on the way home whereas with the other hours you’d have to go home with the shopping before going to work.

Early so I can get home to make tea for the kids and be there when they get in x

Is the person doing drop off going to be at your house so your children doesn't have to wake up extra early every day? If so then early shift.

If you can stand early mornings I’d go for that one, because school events eg Christmas plays, family time and sports day are often on an afternoon.

The morning shift definitely.

Definitely the morning. When I did shifts if I was on a middle/back/night I found I just waited to go to work. Also after school run etc doesn't actually give you much time to do things before work

Thanks everyone. Yes, dad is around in the morning and can drop dc off. I also hate waiting around for my shift to start so thinking I can get a few hours done before dc are even at school. Just worrying the 6am starts will be too early for me. I'm often awake early but never out that early.

You will soon get used to the early mornings and just think of all the time you will get with your children. Picking them up hearing all about their day, having their friends round to play, helping with homework, getting to see their after school activities, tea time, bath time, bed time etc if you finished at 6:30 you would get in at the tail end of all that.

I’m a night owl so I’d prefer 12.30. But with kids the 6am start would be better as home for the evening routine. So I’d do the early one and hate it!

I'd do the later shift. I would never go to bed early enough for the early shift (I know this from experience) and I'd feel totally exhausted. Unlike a PP, most of the school activities for DS happen in the morning and I'd hate to miss all the meetings/special assemblies/plays. I also generally work until 6.30pm anyway so I'd like not having to start until lunch!

I'm an early riser, so 6am would be ideal.

Depends on a few factors.

What time would you have to get up to do the early shift?

How many shifts a week?

Are you able to get to bed quite early if you choose the early shifts?

If I could get up at 5am, leave at 5.30am and be home by 12.30pm I'd probably choose the early.

You'd see more of the kids this way.

Late. It's not so late you aren't seeing the kids for tea and bed, and the older they get the more evening time you get with them.
You also actually get a couple of hours a day where you aren't working or with the kids

But I'm quite good at getting up and doing some chores, going for a walk or something before work.

A 6am start would be an absolute killer, especially in the cold dark winter months-I’d go for the later one!

One thought. Do your kids do, or are they likely to want to do, out of school clubs? My two do a few and they're often at the same time in different directions, so two adults is handy.

Morning shift. It's annoying rushing to fit things in before work. Depends on the job too. If it is more hectic early and calm in the afternoon or if you're likely to be asked to stay later etc these could be factors in the decision.

Probably 6am -12. I do two different shifts (not on same day!) 7-1 or 2-8. I prefer early mornings as I am awake anyway! I am always finding that I am 'clock watching' if I work in the afternoons and find it hard to do stuff in the mornings in case I am late in the afternoons, plus everyone and his pet dog are on the bus and it is full!!!