To not want to drop my hours when DS starts school?

[mindyourfingersplease]

But I think I’ll have to.

I am currently part time with two days off a week. I’d like to keep this as I have a younger child.

My younger child’s nursery starts at 730. I’d have to drop her then at this time. Then get to DS school for beakfast club to start at 8. This gives me twenty five minutes to get to work myself, through heavy morning traffic. DH can’t help: he leaves for work at 7.

I think typing that out has made me realise I’ll have to drop my hours.

Up to you isn't it. I don't mind! I hope you find a work life balance that suits. It's tricky isn't it

this is all very bizarre namely how the OP has conveyed the situation!

Fair enough

so why were you talking about arranging to come in an hour later??!

The only bizarre thing on this thread has been your posts. I don’t think you’re genuine at all.

I guess the idea is she misses first period?

It would be an easier juggling act if the children’s fathers were doing half of the juggling but they are always excused because of their big jobs and pay checks. An imbalance that will never be fixed whilst women humour them and agree to work less and less whilst the fathers work more and more. I was one of those women too who had to work around my husbands and children’s schedule, man do I regret that now that we’re divorced. Wish I had prioritised my career too.

I think men are teachers too though teaching isn't a "little job" it's a bloody hard slog but can be a career I guess

so school have to arrange cover for registration and first lesson of day three days a week? unlikely to be agreed

disruptive to teacher and class

There might be another part time teacher? Or a TA who fancies a go

you didn’t include you were a teacher in your OP

You said l 25 mins in traffic wouldn’t get you in in time but no indication how late

you haven’t said anything about what your dh thinks should happen aside from he just can’t do a thing

you spent some time considering coming in an hour late but clearly as a teacher… that won’t fly

so yes… bizarre

Flexible working request for your DH - same hours but start later

Starting an hour later seems like the best idea, I know losing half a days pay is annoying but think of the positives. You will have a less rushed start to the day, getting to nursery for 8 instead of 7.30 makes more of a difference than it sounds, plus less traffic getting to your school. Would you still need breakfast club or is there any chance with an hour later start you could just get him to school? What you save on breakfast club might be a help.

The logistics are a nightmare but it isn't forever. Hope it works out.

. A wee chat is hardly so very taxing is it?

id have thought your DH… who knows the impact on finances, the locality, his availability , his opinion… would be first person to have a wee chat with 🤷

Listening to Woman’s Hour earlier today about childcare issues - one is a reduction in available childminders, but the other is that the new rules in free hours will hopefully see an increase in CMs as they will be better paid via the free hours.
Beside that, have you considered asking your employer for a change of hours to accommodate drop offs - so you work over 4 days but fewer hours each day?

She might not be a form teacher so doesn't do registration and her lessons can be juggled.

More days shorter hours starting later, finishing earlier and make up your hours on the additional days. If no other help amd oh has no flexibility...I don't see another way. Don't drop your hours, that has a big effect on pensions which I kopw seems a million years away but something to consider.

Can tell none of you really live rurally, my DDs school had one childminder that did drop offs at school or pick ups and only the other side of the school not mine. After school that ran Mon to Thur only and had a waiting list so yr 1 or reception you were buggered as you couldn't put your name down.

Suggestions

1. Advertise for a local Mum to do the run paid. Issue might be when her child is sick or off for other reasons, great if she has a partner work from home as he could supervise sick child and she can still do your run (and get paid)
2. Is there a relative - granny? that could do the drop for you?
3. Swap drop and pick up with another Mum - so she always does drop in and you collect her kid(s) as well as yours at pick up. Dont forget about car seats though you may need a spare.
4. Apply for adjusted hrs at work and amend nursery or whatever is needed to work around drop offs and enough time to get to work.
5. Get a new job

Just as a warning most schools do part time for the first 3 or 4 weeks so only am or pm - check with your school or you will be well and truly snookered.

to be fair… another thing op didn’t mention until later on… how rural she lived!

Maybe the OP likes working 3 days a week instead of 5 so she has more time with her children? Maybe she likes being the one doing drop off at school. Personally I don't regret the years I did part time, it is a shame you regret your decision but that doesn't mean it is wrong for everyone.

If we lived somewhere different it wouldn’t be a particularly big deal, to be fair. I probably am in a unique and in some ways unlucky position as the wraparound isn’t great and I don’t have a partner who can share the pick ups and drop offs (I am married but DH just can’t do it, not without a financial hit which I’d obviously rather avoid.)

At the same time ideally I wouldn’t go below three days. It’s about finding a compromise and I guess on balance two and a half days for the next two years is the best compromise.

Why don’t you spread your hours over 5 days rather than 2 days off?
That way you get a later start.

I switched from 3 8:30-5 days a week to 5 9:30-2:30 days when dc started school. That was an office based role though, unless you had cover for all/part of your first/last period may not work for you.

Any jobs going at your Kids potential school? That would resolve a few issues!

Eventually I will but with the younger one at home nursery costs would be higher and I wouldn’t have two days a week off with her.