To want to work part time even though I am the main earner?

[RedPencilPot]

My ds is 11 months and I hate having to leave him for 5 days. I really want to work 4 days to have an extra day at home with him whilst he is small. I'm a teacher and when he goes to school it's my intention to go back to working 5 days.

My pay would drop around £350 take home per month and I'm the main earner. We would have to really tighten our belts and there would be no willy billy spending. I feel guilty whichever I do!

YANBU to want this and YANBU to worry about affordability. There is no magic answer, just the one that's best overall for you and your family - and best might be 51:49 one vs the other.

What's the net take home (after childcare costs etc) of working the extra day?

Have you taken into account everything eg pension contributions in your costing?

When is your return to work and have you already put in a flexible working request? You could go back full time and give it a term, see how you feel?

YANBU to want to, of course. Only you and your DP/DH can decide whether it's viable for your family though.

Would you be likely to be able to reduce by only one day at work? Or would it be that they could facilitate a job share covering a full time post, but not reducing the post altogether?

You need your partner onside for this. If he's ok with the trade off then go for it.
I'd be like you, I'd sacrifice the money for the time but if the two of you see the benefit then that's all good. There's a benefit to the whole family, having someone at home getting stuff done ahead of the weekend is one benefit, maybe it might suit your son's personality better to have a quieter day at home, arranging apts for that day so DP doesn't have to take time off etc etc. It's not necessarily just you indulging yourself.

YANBU.

I'm thinking about the same thing. My pay would drop £400. I am seriously considering it.

Once the new year has passed, I am going to discuss this with my managers. I am not sure we could manage financially, so was thinking of asking for a 6 month temporary reduction in hours. I have been fortunate enough to be able to use annual leave from October to March one day per week so I am currently doing 4 days (give or take - I work shifts).

I am also planning to ask to increase night shifts as this should increase my pay.

And all else failing, I could maybe do one bank shift a month, or perhaps just do a bank shift or two in my annual leave.

I might surprise myself and be able to manage.

I am a little concerned about doing it long term as I would like another maternity leave in the near future, and the impact on my pay would be too much in terms of that.

I was discussing this with a teacher a few days ago. She said the problem with teaching and going to 4 days is, you still end up doing the work of a FT teacher, just with one days less teaching. So it doesn't feel like part time.

I've already returned to work, I did so when ds was 7 months but I miss him so much! He's only in childcare 2 days a week as dh/dam have him the rest of the time. My Childcare would remain the same £240 per month regardless of whether I worked 4 or 5 days.

Was going to suggest condensed hours. My part time request was rejected but was offered a full week in four days. But I guess you can't. I am the main breadwinner too.

Do what is right for your family. Many do manage on less you just need to adapt.

detective that's my worry, that I'll be paid for 4 days but do the actual full time equivalent.

Although to be honest, I'd be happy to work FT over 4 days, just to get that extra time with my DS. But it is a bit of a kick in the teeth, isn't it?

It's so difficult, as it feels shit working 5 days. Currently doing 4 but still feels full time to me.

I couldn't believe how big the drop was when I actually worked it out!

Well I'm doing a full time job in reduced hours - I got used to it and do a bit of overtime at deadline times. You get very efficient. Might be different in your line of work though.