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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask what jobs you do that fit in well with school hours?

111 replies

Cakebaker35 · 14/08/2013 14:28

Came up in conversation this week with a group of friends about what jobs work well around school hours etc, am genuinely interested to know what you all do that works well around your family?

A bit of context, I'm currently a SAHM which I really enjoy but plan to go back to work once DD goes to school. However previous career is totally incompatible with family life due to long hours/international travel and frankly I just don't want to do what I used to do anymore.

The friends I was talking to all said they think the only way is to work for yourself. Do you think this is true?

OP posts:

Pink01 · 14/08/2013 14:32

Do you mean without the need of childcare?

Original poster

Cakebaker35 · 14/08/2013 14:34

Sorry yes, I mean jobs that allow you to still do the school run or at least the drop off or pick up. I don't have family locally and my DH's working hours mean he wouldn't be able to do the school runs so I'm really interested to know how people manage without childcare, or if its just not an option!

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 14/08/2013 14:35

Work at a school.

Evening and weekend work.

Groovee · 14/08/2013 14:38

I work part time as a Nursery Nurse. I do 2 full days with a childminder and then I am at home the other days. Quite often I can be asked to work additional hours and the school is good at letting me leave dead on 3pm to get home for ds or letting me come in once ds goes to school. If it's not possible my mum or MIL will help out. Next year ds will be at high school so will be home at the same time as his sister and leave at the same time which works out to be about the same time as me, so will be easier.

mynameisslimshady · 14/08/2013 14:38

I have 2 jobs where I work from home and 2 part time hobbies that I make money from. I would love to go out to work but its just not practical just now. Working from home is a pain in the school holidays though.

YouStayClassySanDiego · 14/08/2013 14:39

Home care for the elderly
TA [hard to get into the schools though]
Child minding
Do you bake; set up a small business from home?

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 14/08/2013 14:39

I just got lucky with mine, I'm still in my previous line of work (science) but am on a 10hr/week contract and can by and large work hours that suit me. A friend does similar as an accountant. Others work in schools, or in the NHS.

Chrysanthemum5 · 14/08/2013 14:40

I work in a university in a fairly senior role. I negotiated working 3 days but spread over 4 days. I finish each day at 1.30pm so I can do pick ups. I start early though so DH does drop off.

Pink01 · 14/08/2013 14:40

I used to work in a school which allowed for me to take and pick up my DSs from their school (different to where I worked) I worked with special needs children. It was lovely but the money was dreadful.

I work in a school now where I don't finish till 4.30 so it is juggle between childminder, grandparents and DH.

It's really tricky, unless you're ok to work part time then you will probably need some kind of child care. Jobs in schools can be quite hard to come by, depending on your qualifications etc obviously.

SuperiorCat · 14/08/2013 14:43

I'm lucky that my boss is happy for me to work from home in the hols. Before that I used to work nights, came home at 8, did school run, slept til 3 then shower and do afternoon school run. In hols would doze on couch while DC watched tv, not ideal way for them to spend hols but no need for expensive child care.

GreenShadow · 14/08/2013 14:43

I work for a parish council - office open from 9am, so just time to get there, and closes at 12noon.
Quite a lot of parish council employees are mums and many close for all or part of school holidays.
Others work from home and so can have more flexibility.

ubik · 14/08/2013 14:44

I work evenings/weekends in a call centre. I have 2 degrees and a professional career behind me but call centre work fits school hours - generally 6-12am or 4-10pm and weekend -I work 5 weekends in 8. I also do nightshifts but slot of call centres don't require this.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 14/08/2013 14:45

Yes, another friend of mine does similar for a town council.

youbethemummylion · 14/08/2013 14:48

Call centre 9:30 to 1:30 perfect for fitting in with schools I save all my hols for school holidays but still use childcare to cover some school hols as I dont get enough hols for all of them.

Original poster

Cakebaker35 · 14/08/2013 14:54

Thank you all, sounds like something part time would be the best option, or to set up my own business - not sure what though, but have a while to think about it. Must admit I don't really fancy working in school/with children which probably makes me sound like a cow! Really amazed how people manage when there seem to be so few jobs that are flexible.

OP posts:

Pendeen · 14/08/2013 14:56

"...what jobs you do that fit in well with school hours..."

I'm an architect with my own practice. Work from home and (most of the time) manage to fit the demands around DD and school.

This is probably not of much use unless you have 7 years spare in wich to qualify but you did ask... :)

Sparklingbrook · 14/08/2013 14:57

You know the call centre jobs-are they all sales?

WilmaFingerdoo · 14/08/2013 15:00

I'm a TA.

I need a childminder for an hour at school pick up but still fantastic for hours and holidays.

youbethemummylion · 14/08/2013 15:02

Im not in sales Im in customer enquiries

Bonkerz · 14/08/2013 15:03

I'm a childminder. I get to be around for my own dcs while being paid to care for other people's!

wonkylegs · 14/08/2013 15:04

Pendeen snap.
It wasn't what I used to do but after a few changes in circumstances (all at the same time) it's seemed like the only way in this business to have enough control & flexibility about my job to combine it with the rest of our family life without losing my mind.
Currently I tend to work as a consultant to most of my previous clients/contacts but planning to branch out a bit more in the future. I'm also finding combining it with the school holidays a little difficult.

Sparklingbrook · 14/08/2013 15:04

If there was another job available with the same hours and holidays would you do that Wilma? Do you enjoy it?

I only ask because a lot of the TAs I have come into contact with seem to do it for that alone. ie it's not a vocation IYSWIM. Some TAs from one school didn't even seem to like children very much TBH.

directoroflegacy · 14/08/2013 15:06

I work in a school (support) & it seems to me that the days of starting at 09:00/09:30 and finishing at 15:00 (or earlier) are long gone.
I start at 08:30 and 3/5 days finish at 17:00.

Of course the school holidays make childcare much easier /cheaper but termtime still have to juggle breakfast clubs / after school /grandparents / DH when his rota allows.

AnotherNameTomorrow · 14/08/2013 15:08

I work for a government agency and they encourage staff to work at home in a lot of roles. They also don't have 'core hours' as such so as long as I am working from 9 to 3 every day, I can make up the rest of my hours in the evening. I have to use my Leave or holiday clubs to cover the school holidays though.

Pink01 · 14/08/2013 15:12

I'm a TA and I absolutely love it. The holidays are of course great but I wouldn't change.

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