Do you have a day off during the week?

[MUM2BLESS]

Last year I decided that I needed to reduce my hours. It was not an easy decsion but a necessary one.

One of the changes I made was to keep my Fridays free after the school run and also before I pick up again. I have worked some but now I have them clear again.

This morning was full on for me. It was really lovely to come home and have some time for myself. Washing, cleaning, cooking etc.

What do you do on your day off or the hours you have free?

Saturdays are busy in my house and Sunday we attend church where possible.

Is there anyone who feels they need to make changes to the hours they are working?

In holiday time I only have one out of seven children.

Would love to hear from you on this.

Hi,
I am new to this and waiting for my certicate currently after my pre-reg visit this week, but I am planning on only working 3 days a week. I have been a SAHM for 7 years but since my youngest started school this Sept I have felt the hours between 9 and 3 were a bit wasted. I have got 2 children lined up for 2 school days per week, term time only, plus 2 children after school for 2 days a week - plus my own 2. This is enough for me initially,as I don't want to over commit when I'm used to having plenty of time to myself. Earning money will be a pleasant novelty though! I can always build up if I need to earn more, or feel that I would enjoy being busier.....

I decided that 55 hours a week was starting to take it's toll so I now do not work on a Monday. It is so nice to have time to get things done rather than having to do it all at the weekend. I was lucky enough to swap my Monday mindee to a Friday so I am not out of pocket by not working on Mondays.

I have 7 mindees and it is all year round! I take 4 weeks off during the year.

I'm doing 55 hours a week too - sometimes up to 60 if the mother needs me to keep him on. I'd love to do shorter hours but can't afford to.

I need to go to my bed. I typed my reply, not sure what happened to what I was typing?? (gone) had to start again

Runoutofideas wise thinking, good on you.

gardenpixies32 how long have you been cm? what do you do on your days off? paperwork? or is it your own time?

Octaviapink wow. As a childminder we learn what we like and what we do not like ie long hours. I do not do 07.00 anymore as I have been there and done that. My hrs are 07.30 to 18.00.

I enjoy gardening. We planted some tomatoes then another time some strawberries.

Today I did some skipping,

Good night everyone.

I've changed things somewhat for the same reasons. For a few months now I've had school hours off on a Friday (as my son and mindee go to nursery all day and not on another day so still their 5 sessions per week! ;-). We found out yesterday that both my son and mindee similar age have been accepted into the school of our choice and with that, mindee's mum has just emailed me confirming new hours from September (so just before/after school care + hols and it's basically 1 hour more Mon-Thurs as she'd have to pay for it anyway, and then not coming on a Friday). She knew ultimately this is what I wanted and has obviously done some thinking and seen the positives for herself and DD so I made the decision to stop working Fridays altogether from September. It means letting a few people down but not many (2 after schoolers only and they only come for an just over an hour anyway and knew it wasn't guaranteed from Sept) and 1 school holiday only (which I'd be gutted to loose altogether and hope they can sort something for those 9ish Fridays a year and let them stay Mon-Thurs as been with me 5 years now). Seemed silly to work in the school hols on a Friday for 1 mindee.

So although I have 7 children the rest of the week, this means I'll get this 1 day a week to catch up/be mum :)

The other changes I've made is regarding dinners. I'm stricter on providing these now i.e. if they only stay til 5.30pm then I won't do dinners myself but will reheat their meals (as often dinner isn't down til 5.15) plus I now charge (has put others off! :)). I've gone from feeding up to 7 children every night to feeding 4 on a Monday, 3 on a Tuesday and just my 2 the rest of the week. I'm so much more relaxed and happy with that! :)

I now also only have 1 day where 2 mindees come at 7.15am in the school hols, the rest of the week I start at 8am and will keep it this way. During Term Time it's 3 days a week but that's ok as we have to be up for school anyway.

I'm soooooo looking forward to this Friday change in September. Although I hardly work on a Friday during Term Time (1 mindee arrives as we are about to leave for school then pickup my 2 + 3 at 3.20pm and 2 leave at 4.30, other at 4.50), I still have to do that properly clean etc. and tidy up before school pickup at the moment. This is a pain as I sometimes have paperwork all over the floor but have to clear it all away for mindees after school - won't have to do that if I've just got my boys!

I used to work full on from 6.45-6.30, make sure I filled every vacancy etc. and never say no to extra work as needed the money but I've learned that life is too short and my kids are growing up too fast (a friend of mine has a lo aged 3, same as ds2 and she may not have long to live and it's really made me look at life in a whole new light!).

Thanks for that. looneytune so touching.

In the past I have worked really long hours. Got the money but very very tired with it.

Its importnat to remember that your own circumstance may change whilst childminding as well as the circumstances of the families you are dealing with.

In Sept I will have three children in senior school and one in jnr.

I have one day a week without children between school drop off and pickup, but spend most of that time on paperwork or planning/preparing/shopping for craft activities, shopping for other resources, looking up places to visit etc., and sometimes having prospective families visit or doing training. About one week in three I end up working if parents need extra hours, and then I find the other stuff really eats into my weekend (like this weekend). I do about 45 hours a week actual childcare on a "normal" week, but I'd say there is at least another day's worth of other stuff in addition. I know friends who have 55 hours a week with children - I have no idea how they fit in the rest.

Wow - I feel really slack now with my planned 16/17 hours. Think it is enough for me to start off with though.

I have to say there are days when I pine for a suit and an office.

I started off working 7-7 Mon-Fri and then by some lucky coincidence ended up with no small children on a Friday. I then went for years of only doing school runs and school holidays on Fridays. I stopped school runs when my DD started Secondary School - that was a great relief. Now DH works with me, so one of us works the Friday (with 3 little ones) and the other spends the day doing paperwork, doctors appt, dentist, visiting relatives, or whatever. I have to admit though, that DH usually does the Fridays .

Hi yes after 3 years full time 8am till 6pm I am working notice. I am actually just completely mentally and physically knackered and can't wait.

Yes and agree looney,
Our 12 year old was injured mentally and physically in feb in an accident and still reviving treatment so I am now going to put her needs first. Life is so precious and can be so fragile.

I have just cut down to 4 days a week (7.30 - 5.30) as I was finding 5 days too much.

It means that I have Fridays to get housework and paperwork done with no children around and then the weekends can be spent doing fun things with my own 3 children rather than me trying to fit the housework and paperwork into the weekends which left no family time

I love my Fridays off I have to say

I work with another cm, we reduced hours so now latest pick up is 5pm - it used to be 6.30 and Fridays we just have one set of twins between us. It's lovely, I get time with my kids after school and we can be free on Fridays to take the little ones out to lunch :-)

I've just started minding again after a few years off an decided to limit my numbers. I have a DS who is 11 months old so I only work tues and weds with one mindee each day. I also have a school drop off the other three days but it means from 9am I am free. I run a sure start group on Monday and take my own DS to a group on Thursday and we go swimming on Fridays.

I have decided to drop Fridays as working 7am-7pm with 3 x under-5's all week is getting too much. Also, my own son (22 months) isn't getting the time he needs from me. I just need to inform the parents this week which I am dreading!

I hope the Friday kids can move days as I am giving them 4 months notice.....

Thanks for that everyone.