Can I just ask?

[Rubyl1978]

I need to ask you honest Mumsnetters..do any of you work extra shifts just to get a break? I seem to be applying for every available shift that needs covered and although I feel guilty and miss my children, I love going to work. I'm with ds all day 5 days a week as my job is at night and weekends.

My partner now keeps whinging that he never gets a break and how is he meant to cope?? Well hello welcome to my world darling..He has always worked full time and never really had to look after children on his own for so long, I dont think hes coping so well : /. Do I cut back my hours or say tough shit..how do you think I coped for a nearly 2 year?? : /

Aw, the poor diddums. Welcome to your world, and that many of other women, indeed.

Your employers are clearly in desperate need your services and every woman must do her duty in this time of economic uncertainty but give him and yourself a night off every week so that you can apply some soothing balm to his undercarriage overworked brow

And make sure that he's aware how much your extra shifts are of financial benefit to the whole family. Maybe the carrot of a nice holiday from the proceeds of all of those highly enjoyable tedious extra shifts you're racking up will go some way to making your mutual sacrifice worthwhile?

I think a simple WE NEED THE MONEY should do... works for me :)

Agree with Moanranger! But...don't wear yourself into the ground. Autumn and Winter will soon be here together with all the coughs/colds and other lurgy! I have a relative who works evenings and weekends, likes her job too but tends to pick up a lot of bugs which take a while to shift or often turn into infections needing antibiotics.

Blimey... if I didn't work and get away from home on a regular basis I think I'd have gone even more nuts than I already am years ago. :) Your partner is only struggling because he hasn't had chance to practice his child-care skills. So look on it that you're doing him a favour.