To wonder why some people don't work full-time?

[donniedarko89]

I was part-time myself while DD was very young as I wanted to spend time with her. I know many mums however who have stayed part time even after the kids go to school. They only work 2 or 3 days a week. The thing is, they're not loaded, on the contrary they keep complaining that finances are tight and they can't afford stuff - then why not increase your work days (they could all easily do it)? Some of them even have a cleaner. No hobbies on the side either. It genuinely puzzles me!

I work 4 short days a week and have kept Fridays even though DD is in y1. I don't have money worries and partly do it because Dd1 has some SEN and DH has depression those hours are my lifeline.

I work 3 days. My children are at school. I don’t spend much on myself because my money and my husband’s money goes on house, bills, their clubs etc. Have some money left but not as much as I’d like.
Im still part time because I see the value in having time with my children, time after school on my days off, time to take them to school, go to the library etc.
I also like having time to get household cleaning and tasks done so I’ve got more time for my children at the weekend.

I have some full time colleagues who say they have to be full time due to finances. They then go on holidays abroad, lots of days out etc. They can do whatever they want but it annoys me they moan as if they couldn’t do what I do when I’ve adapted my lifestyle.

I'm not struggling to understand it.

@theonlygirl

Then why say what?

Bit odd

My employer (a school) can’t afford to employ me for more hours. My hours were actually cut a couple of years ago due to how school funding works (or doesn’t work).
It was reduce hours or find another job.

I think it’s up to the other person to decide if they find it ‘Not cool’, not you.

What a stupid thing to say. Do you think people who work FT all do so because they can’t think of anything to do?

You know some of us don’t have a choice?

I work part time despite the children being at school because I literally do all the house work and child care! My DH works a ridiculous number of hours per week and I'm happy to do all the domestic chores - however there's no way I'd want to work full time AND do everything else! It really suits us as a family. DH earns well, I can take care of everything else, take the kids to all their friends houses, clubs etc. If we couldn't afford I'd work full time.

@HollyJollypup did I say otherwise 🤷‍♀️

Lots of nerve touching and defensiveness on this thread. Very interesting read.

YANBU

If I could afford to work PT then I absolutely would and I don’t judge anyone for doing so.

But I think you’ll find they’re not being entirely honest about their finances, as if they were that skint they’d just work more hours.

Because I value other things in life such as my children and a peaceful home

I work 4 days a week and my DD goes to nursery full time. I love her but I need some time just for me.

@Lourdes12

Does your oh not value their children?

Because kids still need you when they're at school? Because there's more to life than working all hours? Because they have other commitments - in the community or with pets/ family members? Because they have an imagination/ creative ambitions and don't want to stifle them in the system?

I'd work enough hours to justify and pay for a cleaner.

Oh god not this thread again

I would rather have less money and see more of my children, be able to make it to school events, be there for as many drop off and pick ups as much as I can. Happy to not have some luxuries in order to do this. Good for you if you want to work full time or not at all. As long as you manage to pay your bills and taxes it's really not any one else business is it...

I intend on staying part time once the DC are all in primary. I work in education and whereas DH can book himself annual leave for a child free day off mid week I can’t. So only working 4 days a week will give me so time to myself as I obviously have them all at home during the school holidays. Also give me a day in the house to organise/clean without the kids in tow. Will look to fo full time once they’re in secondary and more independent though.

I don't want to work full time. We can afford for me to work 4 days and I absolutely love having a day to myself to do laundry, bulk cooking, crochet, work at the allotment, whatever takes my fancy. I think people who work more than they have to are crazy but it's up to them. I have a cleaner too.

Good god, is there a word for this? Deliberately failing to understand something for which there are multiple very reasonable explanations to make a point?

I have always worked part time as I have no mortgage and our bills are low. Just me and ds who is now 17. I prefer quality of life even if it means no holidays and a modest car. There is more to life than work!

My kids need me or DP at home for a few afternoons per week. They wouldn't cope well with wraparound care 5 days of week.

I enjoy having time to myself when they're at school. I use it to catch up on work, get fit, study, do big jobs in the house/garden that are difficult when they're around.
I'm a better employee ( I get sick less often than when I used to work full-time).

It genuinely puzzles me!

😂😂 It's easy" they don't want or need to. Hardly anything to get puzzled about is it?

Yep this is true. I work part time because I can afford to. It wouldn't make me very popular if I sat in the staff room talking about that though 😏

What do your kids do after school op? Who supports their learning, listens to them talk about their day and gets them to swimming etc? There isn't really time for that with primary age children between tea and bedtime