To consider going back to work full time once kids are school age

[ApostleLover]

Currently working part time and doing just fine like this. I'm a single parent and do rely on maintenance although I am aware he could stop paying this so it's a consideration.

How many of you work full time with school age children and how is it for you?

You have to weigh up the financial implications. If you earn enough to make it worthwhile then I don’t see why not. You will need to consider wraparound care, childcare during school holidays and whether you will come away from that with more than you currently do assuming you get tax credits.

I've got 3 kids and I've worked full time since my youngest was 6 months.

My kids are now 13, 6 and 5

@purplelila2 how did you find it? Did you feel you missed out

@ApostleLover oops I meant since my oldest was 6 months

so I have always worked full time I don't know if I've missed out because i have nothing to compare it to IFSWIM?

I took a year's maternity leave with both the youngest and so was there for 2 years when my oldest was in primary.

I take time off for plays sports days etc and I'm absolutely shattered when I get home but that's because of my commute.

non essential housework also waits till the weekend

I also work four full days a week, and have three children. My youngest is still a baby but when she goes to school is when I’ll think about full time again... but... I would prefer to do slightly less than full time hours more flexibly (so I can do a couple of later starts, and if possibly a couple of pick ups twice a week - though happy to work in the evenings). I also really appreciate work when I can manage my time to stay for an assembly by adjusting my commitments around.

Thank you @purplelila2.

I've just worked out a potential working pattern that would allow me full time hours and leave at lunchtime on one of the days (Friday)....by having a shorter lunch break each day. So it would feel like adding half a day and I'm hoping if I could get this arrangement. I could use that early finish to do a few errands before picking the kids up.

@ConstanzaAndSalieri thank you. Yes it's good if you have the flexibility around assemblies etc. I tend to manage my own projects and time so my work are happy for me to work around these commitments too.

@ApostleLover I personally think it's worth working full time for me financially but also for myself. I'm by no means a high earner less than 30k but better off working .

I hate the rush in the morning but I like how working is something for me outside of being a mum.

@purplelila2 that's a very good point also. I work with a great bunch of people and really enjoy what I do. I appreciate the adult company during the day as I lack it in the evenings. I know I would be financially better off and able to pay for holidays and house improvements that I've been hesitant about. I'm not a high earner either but a little bump up would hopefully mean we are a lot more comfortable.

I'm 30h over 4 days (4 full time days)... and it is part time

I've worked out I'd be about 6500k better off a year.

As you are already doing 30 hours then yes, in my opinion, you might as well work the additional 7 and get paid more for it. Pay for afterschool / dinner clubs and you can just pick the kids up after work. Anything extra you get from Oh can be banked and then go towards childcare in the summer.

Maybe look at the childcare costs and work it out from there?

Eg at dd's school, breakfast and ASC works out at £90 a week. For one child.
There are only places for around 25% of kids at the ASC.

The only alternative ASC works out at over £100 per week. For one child.

Holiday clubs vary but could be anywhere from £30-60 per day. Per child.

Childcare costs are often the biggest barrier to parents working more hours.

When they are both in school though, I'll have a day but won't be seeing the kids anyway as they'll be in school?

What is making you question it, what are reasons you are thinking you might not go full time ?

Are you still able to drop them off/collect them at school hours or would you need to place them into clubs to cover their care ?