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 worked full time and realised that your kids actually need your MORE as they get older- not less! The whole family is so much happier with a parent about instead of a nanny.

I had 15 years off - till second went to secondary school, best years of my life.

In my case, because 13 weeks of school holiday does not equate with 5 weeks of annual leave. And I really don't want to have young children in 9-6 childcare for 8 weeks of the school holidays, it's supposed to be a break they need too!

But in respect of your 'many jobs only exist full time' @Eurydice84, I think this is the thing working culture would benefit most from a wholesale change.

When someone is getting a bit swamped at work as their role grows, when is approval for recruitment given? 20% overload, 40% overload, maybe 60% overload? But it is vanishingly rare that anyone is ever working 200% hours before a role is split.

And yet, the patriarchal assumption that roles need to be full time to support a family means that new roles are almost always beefed up to FT hours. Our economy and society would benefit so much more from well qualified roles at 30-60% hours, or term time only, being advertised. Parents wouldn't drop out of careers entirely. Employers would get highly qualified staff keen to take advantage of flexible hours but without the corporate filler twaddle.

If anything, more roles & more people should be working PT, not fewer!

Just because people say they can't afford X or Y doesn't mean A They actually want X or Y or B they want to work to pay for X or Y alternatives maybe C -, they dont feel confident to work more hours, D able to due to childcare, E, have a spouse supportive enough for them to put more hours in or F, feel it worthwhile financially as they may pay more tax, ni pension childcare etc

Because they are often put down on a daily basis by friends, family, society and everyone in between and told how if they aren't earning money, they aren't actually working? Because the OP, no matter how they deny it, did not write their Q in a questioning manner, but did so full of judgement? So, they were met with sarcasm and anger. Same as you would get if you walked up to someone sitting on a corner and asked them why they didn't just get a job. When you don't even know if they have one or not.

I have no judgment or opinion on people who work part time, but I genuinely love my job and can’t imagine not being full time!

Although it can be a stressful and busy job at times, I honestly think that being at work and progressing in my field is good for my wellbeing and mental health. I get so much joy from it and can’t imagine a better alternative now my children are at school.

I am off for most of their school holidays too which is great.

Nobody puts on their gravestone he/she was a great worker.!!!

This. Nuff said.

I work part time because I'm a single mum with a 12 year old, what would I do in the holidays if I worked full time? If i put him in holiday camp it would cost a fortune and the hours are limited as you normally have to pick them up at 3. I don't have anyone to help out so that's why myself and probably others work part time. Kids aren't in school all the time and part time work enables you to be more flexible.

Wrong audience, most people on here are kept.

It has to be each to their own with this - whatever works for you and your family. I worked hard to where I got to - throughout school, University, training contract (am a solicitor). However, to do what I do PT would, where I am, mean a 20/40% paycut to still do the same job. I cannot agree to that.

My mum worked full time, as did my dad. It did not affect me in any way. Yes, I feel bad on some days, but I see my PT friends wishing sometimes they were in the office while dealing with multiple meltdowns. Swings and roundabouts.

These type of conversations upset me, as I don’t recall anyone asking my husband when my mat leave was over whether HE was going part time…..? Always me, and the looks I got when I said FT….!

Wow! I know at least 5 women with kids at school, some at secondary, who don't work at ALL!

I personally work 3 days, but I do 90% of the housework/food shopping/life admin (emails/renewing insurances etc..) Plus I like having a couple of days a week to do spent time with DD in the school holidays.

I probably could go F/T if I wanted to, but I know I'd be stressed & miserable & that DD would suffer, so I'd rather have a bit less money & be happy.

Everyone's situation is different.

I work PT.
My youngest will go to school next year. And I'll remain PT.
Why?

1. I still have to arrange school runs and collections. I'm lucky that my employer is understanding and work with me on this.
2. My older children have alot of homework to get through. There's no way we'd get through it all if I was in work FT.
3. Holidays. I don't want to work out who's going to look after them for 8 weeks of summer at a time.
4. They're mine. I want to look after them myself while also having some sort of career.
5. Yes we'd have more money if I worked more hours. But I value the days I spend with my children, as a mum, too much.

Is it really your business if the other mums you see want to work PT?

I must admit I do sometimes wonder this too, my kids are teens and need no childcare so I have been Full time for a few years now. I found when I was part time I felt more stressed as I spent my days off actually doing housework and chores that I felt I had to do as not working F/T . Now I’m full time like my DH he has to do half or even more of the chores as I’m not even home to do them, plus the benefit of more money so have a cleaner. I sometimes feel women working 4 days a week are the worst off as they have to cram a full time job into 4 days but don’t get the full time salary.

Why do you assume it has to be just one of them? I know lots of families where both work 0.8 or similar. Each have a day off for childcare / housework / hobbies.

Really? I have a friend who is a Judge that works full time. And is a mother. Are you saying that women shouldn’t work full time, and shouldn’t pursue professions such as law that (usually, but not always) require full time work? Where does that leave us as women with these professions?

Maybe because your post is very judgemental and condescending.
Im pretty sure if I posted something criticising mums for choosing to go back FT I’d get lovely messages off the PT working mums and sworn at and berated by the full time workers… it’s common sense really.
mots quite sad you feel the need to slate peoples choices then belittle them further for defending that choice.

I work part time because I can afford too but other reasons are.
My time outside the school day and at weekends is filled with ferrying kids about and family time. So the school day is my time. I can go to the gym, see friends, chill, do housework, go food shopping etc.y working day is long and physical so I don’t really do much other than work on those days.

@topgub it was me who spoke about men absolving themself of parenting and it wasn’t about any particular post on here. It was about the societal attitude than mens parenting is of less value than women which you see repeated times and time again on here… in different ways… and which contributes to men actually being able to walk away from parenting with no censure from society leaning women holding the reins practically emotionally and financially.

Which happens far too often.

@MeandT I would be so happy with a part time role that allowed for school holidays. I would do it practically for free.

I have been part time freelance this year and it has been perfect but my contract has dried up and I am really struggling to find other work in my field that enables me to do pickup and holidays. It's mostly very all-or-nothing.

So at present I am not working at all, which would not be my choice.