anyone share childcare with their dh/dp?

[tiredfeet]

I'm just wanting some thoughts/views/experiences really, to help us figure out what's sensible

Dh works freelance with a reliable source of income. He works mainly hours of his choosing. Ds is 4 months now and I have an interview coming up for a part time (15 hours) job, with an hours commute. Childcare round here is hard to find, and we are discussing dh covering the childcare when I am at work instead. He's great with ds and I would happily go off to work and leave them together, my worries are more whether it gets too stressful/ tiring, amd how it would impact on family life etc. Dh would have to fit in a full weeks work around my hours, which would mean him working most weekends.

Just want to hear from people who've tried it/manage it really

Could dh REALLY not reduce his hours? My dh reduced his hours for a year and then increased them again - in the long run it had no negative effects on his career, even if it felt funny at first for him.

Its up to him how much/ when he works, he just has to get the job done. There would be times of the year when he could do less but a lot of the drive to work comes from his own need to get the job done perfectly. He is prepared in theory to reduce his hours, as he is v behind the idea, but I suspect in reality he would end up working the same hours. On the plus side he loves his job so it is also his hobby really, so I feel less bad about him having little free time. But I worry we wouldn't get any time together as a family

Hi tiredfeet, I share care with DH but we both work p-t (4 days a week and boys have 2 days a week at nursery). Family time is very important (we have Sundays together). I think it would work better if your DH worked a bit less, but I realise freelancers don't control their workflow in that way. If I were you, I would find a childminder for 1 day a week as well, to give you both a bit of breathing space.

I work 3.5 days a week and DH quit his job & set up a small company so he can can work as much or as little as he wants. The 1 full day I'm off he generally does a long (12hr+) day then just he odd saturday morning or evening.

Although finances are a bit tight we love it because it means the children get to spend time with both of us & we don't have to pay out for childcare but the flexibility of DH's work means if we want to go out for the day together in the week, he can make up the time in the evening or on a saturday. Sunday working is an absolute no no for both of us.

I hope it works out for you.
LCN

I work FT and DH works 3 days a week (so I guess the reverse of your situation). The days he works my parents look after the DC.

It's a bit tiring when they're ill and not sleeping, but other than that we manage.

In fact, I think it's good they get to spend time with DH. I often have to work from home in the evenings, but after DC have gone to bed.

It's definitely doable though.