3 days or 4 - big difference?

[Flossie69]

Hi there

Am arranging the details of going back to work after birth of DD, who is 8 months. She will be 1yr when I go back. Have found a great nursery which I feel very confident about.

I worked 20 hours across 4 days before, and had it in my mind to change to 20 hours over three days when I went back. This was so that DD was in childcare for less time, and also it would make better use financially of the nursery time slots.

however, it is looking like work will need to expand my role and hours when I go back, which is a good thing, but will probably mean 4 days, hence 4 days for DD at nursery.

I have it in my mind that 3 days at nursery and 4 days at home is ok, but the other way round tips the balance to not ok. Am I being a little precious? Will she be ok in nursery for 4 days, probably 8.30-4.30pm?

Any thoughts / comments appreciated.

TIA

I would go for the 4 days in nursery. your dd will adapt and be really happy i'm sure. and will be good for yuo work wise and financially, and like you say, get your moneysworth a bit more from nursery. I had a gradual-ish return to work (over 2 months) and am now full time as not able to do my job part time apparently. DD is in nursery 5 days a week from 8-6ish and loves it.
can you do a trial for a couple of weeks?

Thanks, doireally, that's really encouraging. How old was your DD when she started?

dd was about 10 mo and is now 17 mo. she went from 8-1 for a few weeks then 4 full days for a few weeks, then full time. had no probs and i love it too!

dd is 10 months and does 4 days at nursery and has done since she was 5.5 months. She loves it. I think the balance is about right. I work 4 days and we have a day off together just the two of us which i love.

I went back to work 4 days when my ds was 14 months and found it really hard. I think the difference between 3 and 4 days is that with 4 days you are expected to fit 5 days work into 4.
I then changed to 3 days which I much prefer - it does not feel like we are trying to cram everything in to 1 fun day together, we can do it across 2! And I definately feel the 4 days at home/3 days at work home/life balance.

DD is 15 mo and has been in nursery 4 days a week since she was 9 mo. It works really well, particularly as DH and I are both able to be slightly flexible with our hours so she is usually dropped off at 9 and picked up just after 5. At first I felt uncomfortable that she spent more days in nursery than at home but once you have an hour or two with them in the morning/evening it feels more balanced than it sounds IYKWIM. I love our family weekends and then the day off I have with DD but she is really excited to get to nursery on a Tuesday morning which is lovely.

Thanks, all, this has made me feel much better. Even though I would still prefer 3 days at work,nursery, I can see that 4 days, especially with finishing at 4ish, would not be the end of the world.

I do suspect, though, that I will have a few more wobbles before I start back, especially as I am contending with Mother saying ah poor LO, and my DSis apparantly aghast that I will be leaving precious LO at nursery. Of course, she was able to afford to be a SAHM with all her 3 DC, but I do wish she would be able to see that not everyone can do this, and be more supportive.

Phew, rant over, breathe.........