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Evening and weekend shifts to spend more time with kids, anyone else?

3 replies

Mumtoboy123 · 26/04/2019 07:06

Im thinking of giving up my 9-5 office job and working evenings and weekend shifts at a well known budget supermarket (on the grounds i get the job, currently waiting to hear back).
Is anyone else doing this?
Financially its the difference between paying childcare and having 100 left a month (can claim some childcare costs back off universal credit but we all know theyre a shambles) and spending days with DS and having 450 a month after bills, expenses, spending budget etc.
My plan is to work 4 shorter shifts to total 18hrs a weeks.. eg 2x 5hr shifts and 2 4hr shifts accross a monday afternoon, weekend days and evenings. Its obviously a big step and a big change and there are pros and cons... is anyone already doing this and how do you find it?
Pros
-spend everyday with DS
-money

  • will look forward to some adult conversation and a bit of graft at the end of a day of constant moaning from baby!
-DH can spend 1 on 1 time with DS which he doesnt get to do atm. -DM and MIL will alternate monday afternoons im working to care for DS -office job isnt exactly safe.. theyre struggling financially and with less volume of work

Cons/worries
-giving up some time as a family (will still have at least 1 weekend day though)
-am i doing ds a disservice by not putting him in a nursery with other kids (he has cousins the same age that he sees a lot and i would be more proactive about stay and play groups)
-will i regret it in the future when hes in school etc?
As im writting this i am really hoping i get the job which says a lot but im so scared of making the wrong decision. Havent worked unsociable hours in about 6 years.
Any insights?
Thanks

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Charlottejade89 · 26/04/2019 09:01

I work 4 evenings a week from 4 til midnight and occasional weekends (bank work so as and when I want it/am able to do it). I like it, means I can spend my day looking after my daughter while my partner works, and I only miss a few hours at bedtime. I couldn't physically afford to out her in nursery, i wouldn't be able to pay my Bill's but i take her out as much as i can to baby groups, soft play, swimming etc so she gets plenty of social time. After she turns one i will probably put her in for either a half day or full day once a week to get her used to being without me but i dont feel like shes missing out by not going to nursery regularly right now

Greenkit · 26/04/2019 09:04

I currently work every weekend, two 12hr shifts and an evening 6pm till 1am and earn £120 less than the full time workers on 2/3 early, 2 late and 2 nights.

However, i loose every weekend, i start at 6.30 so dont socialise Fri or Sat evenings and im knackered Sun evening...and most parties and stuff happens on a weekend.

But I do have Mon til Fri off 😁😁

Mumtoboy123 · 26/04/2019 09:44

Thank you both! We've never really been evening social people and will have 1 day each weekend to do something as a family/see friends and fam so hoping that will be okay. It just makes so much sense financially.

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