Your FT working mum stories?

[Marghe87]

I'd be interested to hear how FT working mums with no close family around made childcare arrangements and career work and whether the kids have somehow suffered of your choice of going back to work after mat leave.

Would you change anything? I don't think I have ever heard anyone regret going back to work (even though it is hard for most) but I do sometimes hear SAHM regretting quitting their careers.

Would you like to share your experience here?

Why ?

Very little family help locally and tend to use that for weekends or trips away.
Firstly, it only works with in an equal relationship. Both parents taking responsibility for childcare, drop offs, pick-ups, sick days etc.
Secondly, Outsource what you can - cleaner etc.
Thirdly, for us nursery worked best. Open all year round so no stress there.

It also really helps if you have a flexible employer.

I don't think it's had an negative impact on my DS. He doesn't know any different and absolutely loves nursery.

OP I work full time and always have done. I took maternity leave for 6 months with each baby (have 3 DC).

DH properly pulls his weight and standards are a bit lower in terms of cleaning / cooking from scratch.

We have no help with childcare but have a good nursery and chose a primary school with good wrap around care options. It's expensive but it won't be forever.

I actually think, watching some of my friends work part time, that working full time is easier. This is partly financially, partly because I am in every day and not having to work "on my day off" which every part timer I know in my profession has to do. If I dropped hours or days I would have the exact same workload for less money.