I rarely come on mumsnet because I’m so often shocked and saddened by the judgements and lack of support for each other as mums.
OP I don’t think you are being unreasonable.
There are issues here about discrimination and employer flexibility in the middle of a serious pandemic. Has - for example - there been any mention that OPs husband’s pay is at risk? For he is also the baby’s parent? I bet not.
Wherever humanly possible we are instructed to be working from home. Most employers recognise that for parents this means work cannot be quite as it was in “normal times”.
How I read this post is a new mum whose childcare plans have fallen through for reasons associated with being in the middle of a serious pandemic. And she will suffer financially if she has to reduce to part time hours because childcare is TEMPORARILY unavailable.
Myself, and all of my friends, are full time working mums. None of us are working normally. We are committed to our work and making super human efforts. But It is impossible with home schooling to work the same as we did when schools were open. Because NOTHING is the same just now. This is the reality for thousands of parents.
It depends on the baby of course, but personally I would have found it much easier, with nap times etc to work alongside caring for a baby than a young school age child (particularly - as for OP - if partner home 3.30pm and 3 full days)
We are in the middle of a pandemic. Employers have to be flexible. No parent can work “the same as before” with children - whatever age they are. There are many articles written about how women parents are being discriminated against far more than dads. How homeschooling is impacting on women’s jobs and careers far more than men. That sexism prevails STILL in 2021.
Within my circle it’s a mixed bag. Some employers are incredibly understanding and flexible. Others have sexist attitudes that the mum must shoulder all childcare so the man can work. My husband’s employer has this attitude despite the fact that my job is far, far closer to “critical work” than his is.
I have a friend who is an A&E doctor. Her toddler was in a small private nursery. That nursery decided not to reopen in January. No notice - zero chance of a place anywhere else. Her husband is having to work full time at home with toddler there too. As it is critical his wife goes to work. It is impossible for him to work to the same level as normal times - obviously. His employer THANKFULLY recognises his output will not be the same as before. Thankfully no pressure on HIM to go part time or be paid less.
These are extraordinarily difficult times.
How about a bit of support for each other on here?
Why judge OP and criticise that it wouldn’t be fair on her colleagues? I imagine many of them are parents and struggling too.
OP you have my sympathy and support and I hope you navigate through this and stay on full time pay. I’m sure you are an asset to your employer and - just like myself and my friends - we are exhausted but we make it work and we’ll get through this. And working from home is all we can do to help keep numbers/risk of covid spread down.
Good luck xx