What did you do?
DS(5) will mostly be in school. He currently does 3 long days with breakfast and after school club and 2 school length days (I work full time but flexibly currently).
DD (2) currently does the same pattern as DS but obviously doesn't legally need to be there!
Am likely to go back to the same pattern post mat leave and wary of changing up too much and them struggling when I go back to work. Equally, I'd like to take this chance to spend more time with then both.
I was thinking 2 long days and 3 short for DS, and 1 long day and 2 short for DD. Rationale as follows:
- They still do a long day or 2 each, so won't be too much of a shock when I'm back at work
- DD gets all the stimulation of nursery (they do forest school, music, messy play, take part in school events etc) but also gets extra time with me and her new sibling
-I'll get 1 long day and 1 short with baby on my own to sleep/socialise/do chores etc as required
- I can always add on breakfast/after school club and hoc for DD if I 'need' more time
-They both get some extra time at home with me and sibling, hopefully enough of a balance that none of them feels pushed out
I'm thinking overall it means 3 'chilled out' days with baby which I can use to do classes, sort the house etc and then 2 with DD at home to where we can softplay/toddler group/farm etc and then 2 with us all home (incl DH) for family time.
I'm probably over thinking. Just want to get the balance of extra home time right, without getting the elder 2 too used to loads more time at home than they'll have in the long run 😬