3 long days or 4 short days?

[BobMortimersTrout]

Looking for your experiences of part time working and managing with childcare.

I've been invited to apply for a new job in my org at the next grade up which is 0.6. I currently work 0.8 over 4 days, and there's flexibility over how I could spread my hours.

My question is - what's better - do 4 short days or 3 long days? At the moment I muddle through with juggling work and childcare pickups, the evenings feel like such a rush. DS is 17 months, he's at the childminder 8-5, and as soon as he's home it's dinner-bath-bed, repeat the next day. I know this is hypothetical as I haven't got the job yet, but would it be better to have that same rush three days a week and have an extra day at home with DS (with reduced childcare costs), or have more relaxed afternoon/evenings for 4 days? DS adores his childminder, and we're lucky to be able to afford to keep him in for 4 days if we chose to (with a small reduction in hours and therefore cost).

Both have their pros and cons - what's your experience?

3 long days

Then you have 4 at home including weekend

Yes tea bath etc may be a rush those 3 days

Don’t bath every day

How early would pick up be doing four shorter days?

What's your commute like? I went back on 3 long days with a 1hr 10min commute each side and I really didn't cope well. Currently I've cut back to 3 normal days which is much better.

3 long imo

3 longer days as long as childminder can provide his dinner. Then the time at home is just play/bath/stories

Depends on the type of work.

I vote three long too. DD is always shattered after nursery. An extra hour or two together before bed isn't quality time like an entire day together is.