Work days/childcare, WWYD?

[Merrz]

Currently work 3 days/week, children at nursery 2 days and MIL's 1 day. Very fortunate work situation where I can pretty much be at work whichever hours I want as long's I do the hours.
Trying to decide what to do when kids go to school. Which of the below would you choose if you could?

A - Work 3 long days, leaving before children go to school and home after tea time. Rely on DH, MIL and my DM to get kids to school and pick them up for those 3 days but then have 2 days at home to myself while kids at school. Would likely mean the odd work phone call/e-mail in those 2 days.

B - Work 4 shorter days where I could drop children off at school on my way to work and pick them up on my way home. Not have to rely on anyone else for child care and likely wouldn't have to deal with any work issues on my 1 day at home during the week while kids are at school. I will be relying on MIL/DM for child care during school holidays anyway.

I'd go for option B if it was me

B - there's too much relying on other people in A. Potential for things to go wrong.
Your husband should still share school runs where possible.

Definitely B, sounds much less stressful all round

Could you go for a combination of the two where you'd end up doing three and a half days? Have family pick up on one long day, you do drop off and pick up on the other days but would be able to clock of early one day to do a few jobs?

I used to do this and it worked really well, also meant I had some flexibility if there was a play, sports day, etc where I would take the morning off instead of the afternoon.

B. Especially in early school years, there's lots of value in being "around" as a parent. Even better if you have the option to move to Option A in holidays (which makes it easier to find holiday clubs in my experience and gives you full days with the DC).

I work 4 days but do 3 full days and two half days. My husband does the same pattern so 4 days a week one of us can pick them up from school and do all the activities and running around. It's brilliant.

Definitely B

B

I think B - I'd love to be able to do it but it's not practical for me given the amount of stuff that happens in the afternoon.

Remember though school holidays - you’ll need 4 days childcare or use 4 days leave between you.

I think working 3 days is much nicer and if no hassle for DH or childminder/club then would go for that but think it’s unfair to be asking MIL/DM to do that, especially when you’ve got the option to do it yourself.

Definitely B, not fair to rely on grandparents etc when you have another perfectly convenient option. As you say you will have their support during holiday times so give them a break during term time.

B by a mile

Ideally B but how is your work with boundaries?
The reason I work ft rather then pt is I watch my colleagues on 4 days a week end up having to so the same amount of work as those ft members they just don't get paid for it whereas the ones on 3 days have a much lower workload.
If your work is like mine and people end up having to do more then I would go with A despite being reliant on others as it will be less stressful in the long run.
It gets raised at my place constantly it changes for about 2 weeks then goes straight back to it!

Definitely b, relying on relative's seems to backfire eventually

B without a doubt

Any chance of B term time and A school holidays? If not I would do A to reduce the amount of childcare needed in the holidays.

Option B - it's nice for your kids to have you available but no reason why your husband can't still do some of the drops or pick ups if his work allows.

As well as helping to cover school holidays your mum or MIL might have better availability when a child is ill off school, or to babysit in an evening or weekend because you aren't already calling on them so much.

It sounds like you will still have one day at home alone which is nice for getting some jobs done or having a break. It won't be enough to keep on top of all the household jobs like 2 days might have been though so make sure everything isn't left to you. E.g. instead of losing half the school day to grocery shopping and putting it away you could do an online shop that is delivered one evening and everyone helps to put it away.

Option B!

What's your intentions for the holidays? What childcare is available?

Thanks for all the replies. Everyone is saying B (4 days) which I was leaning towards, would be lovely to not have to rely on others and be home to do homework etc with them. Also like someone said even just for the 1st few years of school. It's just the thought of 2 days off every week while they're at school that keeps making me doubt it but as someone also said the 4 shorter days would be a lot less stressful for all.
Holidays my mum and MIL will do a day each /week. Both retired and live very close by. Absolutely true though it's not fair on them to have the comitment of school run etc every week.

Yes that's very true, I never ask MIL to have the children for anything else, evenings out or anything because I feel it's enough she already has them 1 day through the week.
I think ruthless planning on my day off to try and make the most of my time would be a must. I know a lot of people don't even get a week day off so I'm lucky to even have that I guess

Just as a counter to this, I currently do fairly similar to option B - three shorts days and one long (ie normal hours) day when my husband does pick up. Most weeks I find my short days quite stressful because I have to run out of the door at 3pm, arrive at school with a whole load of half finishing thoughts flying round in my head and then have to switch immediately into calm, patient mummy mode. On my long day, I can leave once something is tied up because I'm not rushing back for a hard time. Even an extra twenty minutes can make a difference.

So worth thinking about how easily you will be able to switch from one role to the next like that

B.

I used to do A and my kids got very tired, particularly my 2nd. I now work 9-3 x5 days. Also there is value in being able to catch the teachers yourself at drop off and pick up.

I'd do A, but use some proper childcare if that's an option. There will be plenty of sickness/strike days/inset days etc. where you'll need family help, best not to rely on it for day to day cover ime.

If not, then B.