Full time work with 3 young kids

[Nic165]

I'm due dc3 in June. For various reasons I am planning to go back full time but working 40 hours over 4 days instead of 5. My eldest will be 5, middle child 2 and youngest 7 months. Am I just being totally unrealistic going back on so many hours? I already find it stressful most weeks with 2 DC and maintaining the housework, even with DP here to do his bit. Maybe I'm just not organised enough. The reasons for going back full time are financial and I was recently promoted so want to keep working so as not to lose out on further promotions in the future. Does anyone else work full time with 3 (or more) kids and could share any tips or advice?

I do this OP. I leave at 6.30, DH drops the little ones at the CM for 7, i pick them up at 4.45 and the we all meet at home for 5 for dinner etc. It does require a lot of organisation but we get everything done and it works well for us. Neither DH or I have a career than allows for PT working and the children are happy and settled with their CM. Works for us

And yes, people will make you feel guilty for working....the same ones in my own experience who then bitch and moan that we go on two holidays a year and have a nice home/cars etc too and martyr themselves for living frugally "for the children". I'm not saying everyone is like this before I get roasted, but a lot of people I know are like this and it is ridiculous!

I think that a few weeks in you will have a good routine and it will all fit.
I’m at the beginning of it, first week into full time condensed hours with 2 kids with different drop offs and pick up places.
A laundry load goes on as soon as we get in, on the radiators and dry next morning.
Zero ironing, fold well when wet..
Dishwasher gets loaded straight away then emptied.
Meal plan my ass off, slow cooker gets used at least 3 times a week, double portion do half gets frozen and is a meal the following week.
Hoover twice a week, clean as I go.

It works well.

I did it and it's exhausting! Sorry OP, I regret it now my kids are teenagers, always juggling daily, nothing ever quite enough, house never organised, spend most weekends cleaning and washing etc. It's hard, I had no choice due to financial reasons. It can be done though, my kids are fine and have fond memories of their childminder. One thing I did do was book a days holiday once a month to do school runs and a special tea out (usually supermarket cafe) good luck!

I have 3 and work 3.5 days a week. They are now aged 6, 4 and 1.
It's really hard and I cherish my days off.

I think I would defo be getting a Cleaner if possible! Maybe see how you go to start with? Possibly going for less hours if it becomes unworkable? All easy Dinners .Make sure workload fairly divided!.In truth it does seem like an awful lot to take on ,but until you try it you wont know!

You will need domestic help and don't feel shy about making sure this is in place. Small children tend to get ill frequently so if you can arrange childcare which covers this (I. E nanny not nursery) that might be less stressful.

I think you are going to need a lot of help. And your DH will need to do 50% of everything to do with kids and house.
You say 40 hours over 4 days? So 10 hour days? Will you be out of the house for this time?

I do around 50-60 hours a week with 3 young children. It has paid off in terms of my career but it is exhausting.
Nevertheless this too shall pass and I'll be glad.

If your partner is good then at least the home stuff can be shared. Equally (very important).
Make sure one room a day is cleaned in a sequence. So no 'big cleans' that take a whole day of a weekend.
Meal plan and cook extra each time. This is how I get my lunches for work.
Don't feel guilty about working. It drains your energy. It is good for the kids to see you working and achieving things for yourself. It helps them see you as a person and not just a Mum. It also helps them aspire. On a basic level they also know that to live, you've got to work. Good luck!