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!

Even with older children, there is still so much to do...life admin, school admin, housework, laundry, cooking, shopping...last week for example I had parents evening and dentist appointments after school. I'm forever driving my kids to activities too. They're 12/14 and it's still so labour intensive. If I worked full time I honestly would not cope.

Even before I had kids, I did a 4 day week. Why not? I value my time over my money.

I work 4 days over 5. I can squeeze my hours into a school day and be around for my kids either side. I have flexibility so can do school events etc and make up time another day. It means I can "have it all". A job I enjoy and time with my family.

Your state pension is covered for the years you are eligible to claim child benefit or carers allowance. It’s also covered for years you work part time. Of course any private pension is reduced (eg NHS pension, local government pension) if you work part time. No need to worry about state pension.

I work PT and have a 17 year old and 11 year old. I’ve also been a single parent for years (partner has recently moved in).

I work 3 days a week because there’s no fecking way in hell I’m doing full-time teaching. I’d be a grumpy, stressed out nightmare and add in being menopausal, I honestly just do not want the stress - I’m not sure I’d be hugely rolling in extra cash that would make it worth it anyway.

I work part time (4 days) and I'm absolutely skint.
Reasons I won't up my days:
No one to do school pick ups on that extra day
It's another day of childcare to find in the holidays
As a single parent, it's the only time I get without the kids to do admin jobs and appointments

@Panauchocolat25

I think that depends on the teacher/person.

It applies to lots of jobs, not just teaching

My own role involves lots of stress. Lots of long days. Permanently 'on call' (not officially but can be contacted at any time) I still have a great work life balance

Which is why child benefit should be in the non/low earner's name as it provides NI contributions. Even if the other partner is a high earner.

A five day/38 hour week is a totally arbitrary work pattern that western culture has come up with. Many self-employed people work everyday 60+ hours a week - why don't you do that?

Just personal choice. For me I work p/t because I love my real life more

Wow. So many very defensive answers!

Why would anyone choose to work FT if they didn’t have to?!

That puzzles me more than the idea of why someone would prefer to work part time 😂

Based on your title, I do because I can. I love it, plenty of time for exercise and friends. But, I can afford it. It's still a choice for those who can't though, do they want to have the latest gadget or an hours peace. I'd choose the latter.

Hmm, does it really genuinely puzzle you? You really can't think of any reasons?

I wonder this too OP, especially if they then moan about being short of funds. We have some friends who are the type to actively avoid paying if they can, don’t pay for any extras for the kids (e.g. the only one in the football team who doesn’t get the branded jacket - coach then feels sorry for the child and gives it to them for free). He has a decent enough job and she works two days. Children both older (high school). Honestly, I’d be so ashamed to keep saying no to my DC for want of doing another day or two’s work.

How many of you saying its vital to work part time for health/life/children etc oh's also work part time?

I work part time, 2/3 days a week. My kids are all but grown. I could work more days but I don't want to. The extra money would be useful but most of the time, the loss of quality of life would not make up for having more treats.
I have a very hard working DP who is hungry and exhausted when the gets home; I like to have full cupboards and a home cooked dinner ready, all the chores and housework done so we can spend what's left of the evening together. I also have time and energy to devote to my kids, my elderly parents and in-laws etc. Me not working full time makes life more pleasant for those around me. It's not all about money.

God knows, if you can work full time then so can everyone. They're obviously just lazy bitches 🙄🙄
Or....... maybe you don't know what goes on behind closed doors and they have their reasons, even if those reasons are simply because they want to work part time!
Not that I need to explain myself but my husband works very long shifts 6 days a week, if I worked full time it'd cost a massive chunk of my wages to pay for after school/breakfast club for 3 children....... and yes I moan about still being skint even though I'm a lazy part timer

I think moaning about not being able to afford clubs is also for your benefit, i.e. rather than admitting she just wants to spend time with her children after school, claiming it's because of finances is more socially acceptable these days

Since children I have been 4 days, 3 days in a job share, 4 days, back to full time and now back to 3 days in a jobshare.
My children are now 8 and 11. My reasons are because both of us working

I’ve only worked full time for 7 months in my entire life, I am in my 50’s.

I see your point to a degree OP but your missing the thing about life not being black and white. Yes, you need money, you earn it. It's like people who moan they're bored but won't do anything. In a simple world it's simple. But it's rarely that simple.

I miss time alone and dinner without fingers in it. So why did I have kids? I could have not had them and eaten peacefully forever. But it's a sacrifice I'm happy with.

I might miss X and could afford it IF I worked full time but maybe that would put my physical or mental health at risk, maybe work won't allow me too, maybe it'll put our family under additional pressure at the weekend, maybe I'd prefer still doing school run a few days a week, have an abusive husband who barely let's me work 2 days a week let alone 5, maybe there's a benefits balance between earning more and losing more.

If you're that curious, next time Mandy says "oh I'd love to send Milly and Molly horse riding but I can't afford it" ask if they're looking at going back full time shortly or similar.

Good point. Mine has his own business so I'm top of my job I run all the admin for that too so actually overall it's probably full time. Just not in traditional employment!

It's fine to say 'it's what I want / work life balance / lots of life admin' etc but I do wonder how many people are being facilitated by a spouse working full time who has no option to ever cut their hours down because (usually the mum who had children) got in first.

If you are financially self sufficient in part time work and retirement, great. But don't force your spouse to have no options and don't pretend they are happy with it just because they say they are because really, what else can they say once you've gone part time with small children and it's not always easy to get full time work again.

(and I say that as someone who is the higher earner, FT worker who has zero chance to ever cut my hours down now - believe me, the resentment builds)

Because you she should work to live not live to work. Because on your death bed you’ll never say “I wish I’d worked more” but more likely “I wish I’d spent more time with friends/family/ travelling/ enjoying being home”.

I have chronic health conditions which means I get too tired working full time which means we don’t have as much money but we are doing okay. I need to conserve my energy for my children/family and not spend it all on work. My husband is similar to me and we both manage to spend more time with the kids and do the boring house stuff together but if we needed to work more we would increase hours, probably when children are older and don’t mind me having a nap while they’re home etc.