How do you decide? You have a regular day off, but someone asks you to work.

[nannynick]

Currently I enjoy having a weekday off. Ok sometimes I get bored, but it is handy to do shopping, getting car serviced, hair cut, that sort of thing without battling against the weekend town traffic.

I've been asked to work on my regular day off... but not all day, just a few hours. I'm wondering if it's worth it - do I want to lose the flexibility of being able to do what I like on my day off. Do I want to lose the ability to go to CenterParcs for a long weekend.

If I was short of money I'd say I'd do it. But I'm coping at the moment - mortgage is getting paid etc. So the money isn't a motivation for doing the extra hours.

How do you decide?

I recently asked my CM if she would consider working a few hours with my DD's on her day off and she said no after deliberating.On considering it I was sorry Id even asked her.If your job is looking after kids at home and you spend weekends looking after your own kids at home it is imperative you have a break and time to yourself..I work outside of home (hence need for CM) which at least gives me a change of scenery..I think its important you keep your day off-specially if you dont really need the money at the moment.

I think time off is precious. I have 2 days where I have no extra little ones during the school day. I didn't plan it that way it's just how it has worked out and i do find that time so useful even though i still have my own 2 year old with me. I can do things like shopping and cleaning and paper work as he is very good at amusing himself. Means weekends are not so rushed and I have time for my older children. If I had an enquiry for those 2 days I would have to consider it very carefully. Extra money is good but we are managing ok at the moment so not essential. I would probably say yes but then regret it when I'm trying to cram everything in. If it was a current family that asked for extra hours I would probably say yes because I genuinely want to help them and feel a loyalty towards them and also wouldn't want them going elsewhere if i couldn't meet their needs. Tough one. I think keep day off unless it would have a negative impact to say no.

Thanks, you have helped confirm to me the importance of having some time to myself. Have decided to not accept the job offer.

agree time off is lovely

thats why i temp/do agency work onmy days off RATHER than have to work every day and do perm

if you can survive without the money then dont do it

I have Fridays off and I had occasionally been asked to work. I often say "No", but occasionally I have said yes. The parents have agreed to the 'extra' day involving visits to my father in an old people's home, shopping with my mother, going to see my daughter's school play, etc. I base it on my availability and my need for a break.

perhaps offer to do it for 2 months whilst they find a permamnent person.

i too would not commit to anything permanent on day off but would do ad-hoc temp work, extra money now and then is always nice.