to ask if working part time is harder with a baby/toddler or school age kids?

[newmummytobe79]

Just thinking about my future really!

I work part time and when not working I fit housework/food shopping etc around a toddler that demands my attention all the time! [knackered face]

So I'm wondering if those who work part-time with school age kids find it easier to get things done or if homework/friends for tea/sorting out uniforms and hobbies etc make it just as hard/harder work?

I'm dreaming of hoovering ! on my own without a little person attatched to my leg all day ... am I misguided?

But I just get a childminder to pick him up. And it costs way less than when he was with her all day. If you're trying to do it without childcare at all then I agree it's harder (and would be impossible for me) but if you're paying it's no harder and significantly cheaper.

I think it was easier when both mine were at nursery. It didn't break up for the holidays, they could be there until 6pm, fed hot meals and no fiddly things to remember such as homework and money for activities.

I don't even save money now DS is at school as school dinners and after school club cancel out any savings I made on not having his nursery fee.

The only thing I would say is that to me it feels somehow wrong to be going out to work when he's on 'holiday'. I never 'missed' the time I didn't have with him when he was just at the childminder all the time but now, on days when he doesn't have to go to school, I miss him loads when I'm at work. That's probably just me being weird though.

Agree with redsky - it very much depends on what job you do.

I worked 3 days a week, all year round from when DD was 18wks, until just before she turned 4. I took 18 months out to be at home with her and by the end of her first term at school got a term time only, school hours job.

It's great in theory and lovely for DD as DH is also TTO, but it's bloody relentless at times. DD's school is very demanding in terms of parental input (luckily I'm 5 minutes walk away and my employers were very flexible), and I now work reduced hours in the hols. The advantage is that I do now get some time/space at home on my own, but I would say that for me personally it was much easier being a working mum before school kicked in.

I used to work three full days when my dc at nursery. Now at school I work mornings. It's much easier now. I can drop off to school, do three hours work, have an hour or two to tidy up a bit (watch tv in peace). Pick up from school, have friends home, take to swimming lessons etc. In the holidays I have a childminder who has dc for the mornings. That's more hectic because I have to finish work on time and race over to collect, but it's manageable.

Definitely found all the rushing around, dropping off at nursery, rushing back to collect, making tea before bed more hectic and stressful.

I guess it depends on what hours you're working.

I found it much harder with school age kids. It is why I became a SAHM at that point, not before. I have had many looks about this but, for me anyway, working around nursery/childminder is a piece of cake compared to school runs/clubs etc.

Try working full-time. Part time would be great whatever age!

You're right loveweekends but don't forget part-time pay is pants! Swings and roundabouts and all that