To think this is harder ?

[edibr]

I work 2 days per week. I find the days off stressful with toddler hard work, I am physically and mentally drained at the end of the day. I find them much harder than days I am at work ( nurse ). Should Increase my working days ? do others find working easier than looking after a toddler ?

Some people do, some people don't. It's your choice, do whatever works best for you

I find work much easier than looking after my toddler. I work five days from home in a desk job.

It's difficult as my mum never worked so finds it really strange that I would want to leave my little one as she loved being at home with us ( husband works Monday-Friday) and she doesn't apply that logic to him. I started to wonder whether it is strange that I find it so tiring and hard work.

I went back to work three days a week when twins were one and despite working in child protection it was definitely a break.

Nursery fees took my salary but I didn't care as I kept my sanity.

I work four days a week and the day 'off' with my toddler is way harder. We usually have a nice time (sometimes it's a whinge-fest) but it is physically and mentally a lot harder than sitting at my desk all day.

I work 3days a week, also a nurse. I'd probably work one more if the finances worked out, but they don't.
Being home with small children is exhausting, monotonous and emotionally draining IMO.

@Gardenwalldilema I often wonder if it's worse as I'm usually tired after the day I have worked ( 12.5 hours). So I just want to relax but my son doesn't sit still . We do get out and about and I do enjoy him I just feel so tired by it all. I am considering asking to do 3 x 8 hour shifts.

I'm sure most dc flourish with the benefit of professionally trained nursery staff. Us parents aren't
prepared for all the attention that small children need. Food, snacks, nappy changes, varied play indoors and outside, singing nursery rhymes, walks, etc. It's exhausting.

@edibr I do 3 x 8 hour days, I really couldn't manage a long day now, as you say, too knackered afterwards.
I find it better to plan loads, so soft play, play dates, park meet ups. When my dc have a mate they are less intense with me, so I can have a coffee with the other mum and just keep an eye on them. Fingers crossed libraries and playgroups etc will open soon.
Break the day into manageable chunks

Definitely do three 8 hour shifts. At the moment you’re doing more hours of one kind of work or another than it’s possible to do. Or any number of normal length days really.

Or do the 12.5 he days and give Ds an extra nursery day for you to refoger.

I work the same hours 13 hours 2 days a week and always feel I'm tired after my 2 days in and the days off aren't days off because I'm trying to catch up on housework and running around after a toddler. I do enjoy the time with my toddler but have my moments when I'm like..... I just want to sit with a cup of coffee for 2 minutes! Haha!
I don't understand the logic of increasing your hours if you don't have to as you will be working full time and on your days off still catching up on housework and running around after a toddler and be more tired from 3 long days at work. X 3 8 hour shifts may be better but when you get in from work you'll still be running around before you go to bed.
You don't really get a day of rest with a toddler.

You could look into putting your little one in nursery on one of your days off for a break but then there's the financial side of things! The 2 long shifts work for me and my family as I cover a 24/7 service.

After working 0745-20.15 I am fit for nothing the next day but the show must go on.. so usually take toddler to a group as some have started or just out to the park or something . I was offered a job that was 3 days of 8-4/9-5. I am actually pregnant with baby number 6 due September so I think I will request 3 days of 8 hour shifts on my return. I forgot to say some weeks I do extra and work a weekend day too I just don't think I have the balance right . I adore my toddler and our days together but I just feel so tired probably doesn't help that I'm pregnant too ( ongoing vomiting ) thank you so much for helpful replies :)

Baby number 2 not 6!