Would reducing to 2.5 working days help with family life?

[Sonontheway]

Hi all,

I currently work 3 days a week and have three young children. I’ve just had flexible working approved but I’m considering dropping to 2.5 days.

The idea would be to use that extra half day as protected time to study (ACCA), get on top of the house, and generally feel less stretched so I can be more present with the kids.

Financially it would be a hit (around £400/month), which makes me hesitate. At the same time, I feel like I’m constantly juggling and not really progressing in anything properly.

Has anyone done something similar?
Did it actually help long-term, or did you regret the loss of income?

How receptive were they to you going to 3 days? Is there any provision for study leave instead?

I can’t remember how many FW requests you are now allowed to make in 12 months but that may have a bearing.

It depends what time you do pick up. If you need to pick them up at school time a half time realistically is only going to be a couple of hours. If it is a proper half day I would just focus on study.

I don’t think I’d cut my income by £400 a month just to study and get on top of the house. I did a PhD when my eldest was little. When I needed extra time to study, I did it in the evening while Dh did bath and bedtime or I took a morning or afternoon at the weekend.

I’m not sure an extra half day would make that much difference? Feels like it could be either for study, or for cleaning (a lot cheaper to hire a cleaner though).

Can you DP if you have one do a flexible working request eg a 9 day fortnight or 5 days compressed into 4.5 and use the half day a week to look after children and home while you study?