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 part time, my DCs are at school but if I increased my hours I’d have to pay for wrap around childcare and I’d be financially no better off (not a high earner).

also I would struggle to sort out childcare in school holidays, afford to all 3 DCs in full time holiday club.

If I was struggling to afford things for the kids I’d drop the cleaner and do it myself, but that’s just my pov.

You do not know what your daughter will choose,how can you plan her life and map it out the way you think it should be ?

@ambermorning

Look at us?

No.

We just believe in equal parenting

🤷‍♀️

Just to clarify I don’t have a cleaner myself (I wish!)

I really don't like these 'bewildered' threads . I doubt very much that any of these type of Ops are actually bewildered at all .

Except he didn't say that, did he Topgub.

Personally, if I was with a man and had a baby (or three) and he was like, "so when are you back to work then, come on," I would be livid. But that would not happen because I would not have had children with such a character in the first place..

He earns more than me because he is very highly qualified in his field. Before I had my children I was a high earner (not as high as him) and could be again IF I wanted to but I don’t. When we started our family we discussed who would give up work (it was important to us to give our children the sort of lifestyle we grew up with) and as he had the better earning power in a more stable field (he’s been with the same employer for 30 years) I was a SAHM until our youngest went to secondary school. I now work part time, term time only (children now adults) because we don’t really need the money and I enjoy the work life balance it gives me.

What @EarthSight said.

A question to those who do both work full time?

Who has your dc before and after school and during the holidays?

In my experience most families with two full time working parents have had a lot of family help or jobs that work around one another.

I don't know many people, if any who are happy for their dc to be in paid for childcare between the hours of 7.30-6pm every single day, 45+ weeks of the year.

Because they have health issues you don't know about?

@ambermorning

That's how it reads.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

At the end of the day it’s your decision and what means the most to you

I only work 2 days a week 9-3. we are very lucky hubby is a surgeon so I choose to do it really just for ‘pocket money’ essentially to have all to myself for nice things like nails hair and for my own interest and conversation outside of our social circle and 3 children. I don’t need to work at all. Pre kids I was a nurse hence meeting my husband. Don’t miss it one bit! And the other 3 days are packed with housework and kids admin and yes tile to myself that I thoroughly enjoy for the gym and lunch with friends etc. wouldn’t change it for anything

I’m currently part time and my wage isn’t great. If I was to work full time, pay tax then fork out for childcare it would be pointless working. Being part time means I get the best of both and it’s not something I complain about because I want to work but I also want to see my children. My partner works crappy shifts so one of us has to be here and I’m glad it is me. The money part has never been an issue as we’re actually better off this way and we aren’t entitled to benefits.

@oviraptor21

Whats so funny?

Have you read the thread?

Lots saying exactly that.

Topgub - it sound like you and your DH have similar paying jobs and you so shifts it something along those lines.. If that's what works for you, that's perfect and I have nothing to say about that.

Thst would not work for us because - a) there was a huge earning disparity and trajectory b) we didn't work shifts c) I did not want to leave the kids d) he did not have a fixed hours job and it was never like that.

I work part time as a teacher. I am also single parent. I work part time as that’s what was offered when I got the job. I then spent a lot of my days off taking one of my children to medical appointments that took a number of years before they got an ASD diagnosis. I’d have had to take a lot of unpaid leave for those appointments so it just wasn’t worth it. Teaching is exhausting too. Whilst both at primary school they’d need wrap around from 7:30-5:30 on my work days. Problem is 7:30 isn’t really early enough for me to beat the traffic so makes the commute stressful. 5:30 for pick up is just manageable for the days I work but for other days I’d I was full time I’d be expected to stay later for training/meetings and those finish far too late for commuting back to wrap around. Also, wrap around for 2 is expensive. I also didn’t want my kids to spend 5 days a week at school from 7:30-5:30 as it’s exhausting. Many kids activities were ruled out - such a gymnastics and dancing as they often start at 4/5pm for younger ones. Even brownies at 6:30 would be a rush from child care. Lots of reasons really for working part time and remaining skint. Also I’ve spent a while looking after elderly parents as well on my days off. Their dad is in the picture but works away a lot so can be random so not especially helpful from a childcare perspective.

Caring responsibilities, work/life balance, to spend more time with children and be there for taking them to and from hobbies etc, to shoulder more of the life stuff and facilitate family life, to provide time for proper cooking etc, because all families have different needs ? Sometimes something has got to give.

It's pretty obvious, they are lazy and like not having to get up for work 5 days a week. My friend's youngest is y1 now and she's still only doing 3 days and has a cleaner. I said her why aren't you going back ft when the money would help and she replied I like having the days to potter and do nothing.

@ambermorning

Yeah

Different priorities, like I said.

Dh wouldn't have accepted his only involvement being earning money.

He wanted to be an equal parent and I wouldnt have kids otherwise

My husband is as active / equal a parent as you are, TopGub. He is mainly WFH. Some weeks he does next to nothing in terms of work. Other weeks he might be overseas. Other weeks he might be on a few calls. It varies.

Part time because of a chronic neurological condition. Would love to be working at my full time career but have had to adapt.

@CosyDarkNights

Damn right I’m lazy to get up for work each day and I also love pottering 😁.

If I worked full time, how would I keep my string of horses fit, or keep on top of my breeding programs for the hobby sheep flock?

Some people earn enough PT to support themselves and contribute equally to a household. Some are independently wealthy. Some have passive income strands.

It really isn't as simple as "PT = feckless idiot who hasn't thought about the impact on their OH, or their pension". The World is crazier and more of it than we think. Incorrigibly plural.