I have 3DC, aged 7, nearly 5 and 2. I have been working part-time pretty much constantly since DC3 was 6 months old, and have gradually increased from 1.5 days a week to 3 days a week spread as 2 full days and 2 mornings. This has worked fairly well and although always a juggling act is just about manageable (I'm self employed currently- benefits in some ways but no annual leave/sick pay sucks! esp when deadlines loom and kids get sick...)
I have been offered my first longer-term contract since DC3 was born, but it will be 4 days a week. I could in theory work 3 full days and 2 mornings, or else 4 full days. My childminder would prefer the latter as she tries to keep fridays free/off work. I am a bit nervous about how well we'll manage this. I do the bulk of school/nursery etc. runs as my DH works far away so out long hours, DS has dyslexia so needs lots of help with homeworks and DD1 has cystic fibrosis so has quite a hectic evening regime of nebulisers and physio - and of course then there's cooking tea etc. My MIL has offered to do one day a week for me (she doesn't live very close but loves to come up once a week anyhow, and the kids adore her) which would help with the crazy afterschool/dinner time madness for that day, but that still leaves 3 days a week where we'll be getting home at 5.30pm earliest with a lot to pack in, and DH often not home until 7pm.
But we desperately need the money and financial security. DH is on quite a low wage and in a fairly insecure job - my new salary would help enormously.
Advice please? Should I take it and get super organised and fit everything into the evenings on the days I work and feel grateful I still get one day off a week and weekends too? Or is it too much? Experiences would be very welcome!!