6 months MLeave & requesting 4 day wk...please advise!!

[PeasinPod1]

Hi ladies
I'm in 2nd month of 6month mat leave. My team had been messed around by my predecessor over maternity issues, she was hard work & messed them around I was eager to show I wouldn't do the same. After a few years of working for horrific bosses, having awful commutes & Sun night dread I was relieved to find job I enjoy, colleagues I am close too, good commute and job perks/culture etc.

I adore my baby boy but am not joined at hip, overly obsessive mum but fairly chilled and happy to have "me" time too. Though thought of suddenly returning to work full time & not seeing him is making me anxious!!

Ill apply for 4 day week, which I'm 75% hopeful/sure they would allow ( I'm not very senior, could definitely do my role in 4 days & have no blackberry etc so wouldn't be bothered on my day off) . Question is, is a 4 day week really enough? Does it make enough of a difference? Is returning after 6 months on 4 days really hard?? Must add my comp let us leave 1pm on Fridays during summer so it'd be 3.5 day week for my 1st 3 months (assuming they give me 1 day off).

I'd ask for Wednesdays as seems Mon/Fri often seen by colleagues as a long wkend/luxury while Weds means can tackle things start of week and catch up/wrap things up end of week and never being more than 2 days away from having whole day with my boy?

Looks like could be possibility of 3 day week if they kept my replacement who is juggling my role with another role in team but has asked for it to be made formal...so I could ask they continue it when I come back. But 3 days would cause big hit to my salary that with an already too big a mortgage could just cause too much stress at home with hubby & I -as much as I'd love 2 days at home?
Would love thoughts/opinions especially from those on 4 day or 3 day weeks.

I went back after 7 months on 4 days a week I have a busy job and while some colleagues work 3 days their opportunities are curtailed much more than mine have been. As main breadwinner i certainly couldn't afford 3 days. I don't work Fridays that works best for our childcare arrangements and I love the long weekends.

What childcare are you looking at as the days you work may be dictated by that.

If you do reduce the number of working days, don't forget to ensure that your workload reduces accordingly.

It depends what you do and your commitment to a career long term v short term time with your baby. It also depends what childcare you will have in place and what the culture is at your company.

I went back 3 days but also had to leave on time (as I was responsible for collection from nursery). Dropping days and not putting in long evenings despite the factI was I an hour before everyone else, working in the evenings and checking emails on my days off I haven't been promoted since. I think that would have been slightly different if I'd done 4 days but I think its really quite hard being 'seen' as committed even if you are.

For me, it was a sacrifice I was prepared to make, I liked the idea of them being with me more than they were at nursery and we could just about afford it by running up a massive overdraft.

Its difficult but you know your company and how part timers are perceived.

Thanks ladies. Mum will have him 1 day a week & rest we are looking at a childminder in her home. I wouldn't have to reduce my workload just be more productive on days I'm there, I know I could definitely do my role in 4 days just need to focus more while I'm there. There is history with my predecessor going off on mat leave coming back & asking for 2 day week/job share. They declined both times & got very drawn out in end. Really hoping this won't now count against me asking for 4 days?