How much do you work and what's your childcare arrangement?

[nm123]

DD is 6 months next week which means I'm almost half way through my maternity leave... I'd always hoped to go back to work for 3 days a week and be based at home rather than the office - thinking that DD would go into nursery for 2 days and my mum would have her for the other day. (Even this feels naff me being at home and turfing DD out whilst I work, but there's no way I could focus on work with her around!)

After chatting with my colleagues last week I think it's more likely that whilst I may be able to reduce my hours, I'll likely need to work some hours every day - eg 9-1 every day perhaps. I'm not thrilled at the prospect of not having at least one full day off but it might be my only option... I'm thinking maybe mum would have DD for 2 mornings (ie the equivalent of 1 full day which mum said would be her max) and then she'd do 3 mornings in nursery. I'm wondering whether this might be a lot for DD - ie her being out of the house every morning....

So anyway, just being nosey really - what's your work/childcare pattern?

Oh I could cry - thank you all so much for the reassuring words and comments! It's great to know it can all be juggled... Though my heart sank when I discovered this week that the nursery I love (5 min walk from us) doesn't do half days - so if we did want DD to go there whilst we'd have to pay full days, which just wouldn't be viable if I'm only working part time.

I went to see another nursery today - not really walking distance - and just didn't like it as much... I loved the other one, but today's one does do half sessions...

OH is self-employed and has said he would happily drop to 4 days a week - financially he earns more in a day than nursery would cost, but I prefer the thought of DD being with him.

Thanks so much for the advice to acknowledge that DD as she is now will not be DD in another 6 months :) And I will also try to not think about it all too much right at this point in time, though nursery places are v v v v tight around here and I'd hate to miss out on a spot.

I went back FT when DD was 10 months. I placed her with a childminder for a "home from home" environment. DD thrived there. She was so happy that I didn't feel any guilt. I reduced my hours when she was three and started preschool but only because I wanted to spend more time with her and because we can afford for me not to work.