Longer Working Days or Morning Only Working with young DC

[monkeytree]

I'm currently on maternity leave. Restructuring has taken place over past few months that greatly affects my working pattern.

Previously with one dc I was working 3 days a week 10-2.30 pm, term time only. Now new manager demands longer working days - 2.5 days or morning/afternoon only working with no term time working. I have little in the way of childcare - mum who could probably cover 1 day a week in the hols. I may ask the management if any of my colleagues would be able to cover some of my half days in the hols (there are other part-time staff and we all do the same job) so this may be possible.

Trying to decide which is best a longer working day (over 2 or 2.5 days) or work mornings only. Mornings only would mean that I would be there for dcs after school etc. but of course I would be at work every day. Talking to DH it seems now that the morning shifts may be more workable. Anyone worked this pattern and if so what are your experiences?

If it was just older dc who loves after school club etc. the decision would be easier but I feel unable to hand baby over for full working day. Got round this with dc1 with a career break (no longer available) then offered wonderful working hours. It seems manager can implement changes due to business need despite family friendly policy.

I do enjoy my job though that too may change. The manager does not seem to care about experience etc. Redundancy is not an option, redeployment is but there again its a nightmare trying to get the right hours. Fortunate that DH earns enough for me not to have to work, it is more about my bit of independence, routine, adult company etc. DC wont be a baby for long and I can see its going to be hard getting back into the workplace. I also have long continuous service perks - additional annual leave etc. Its not easy trying to balance motherhood with work life. Any comments/experiences very appreciated.

I have done it both ways. I found working mornings really tough as I was getting two children ready 5 days a week and rushing out the door. Also, that means working 5 days in the school holidays.
It also increases childcare costs and travelling costs if you work over 5 days.
I went back to working longer days. Easier to sort holiday childcare too.

If you do decide 2.5 days go for Monday-Wednesday as you will get bank hols Monday's in the school hols so more time of with your children once they are both at school.

Thank you ladies now swaying back to the 2 or 2.5 days as opposed to mornings. I had an awful experience leaving dc 1 in nursery she was screaming and I felt I just couldn't leave her. DC2 seems happier to be left at the moment although that could all change of course.

Mornings is more expensive if you're using childcare paid by the hour because you're paying for ten commutes rather than six.

But I found doing five mornings easier because there wasn't the awful "where am I, what's going on, what's my password?" every Monday morning. And of course once your youngest is in school (or state nursery) then it's much easier all round.

I used to do mornings - it was good for the balance of work/family - the DC didn't have any long days in childcare, and meant I was about after school. From a work perspective I was in every day, so I was never "out of the loop", so I wasn't constantly catching up.

At the same time I was doing mornings, my colleague was working 3 days a week. It worked for her as she had a longer commute so didn't lose the time travelling every day. Her husband was able to juggle his hours to pick up the DC one day a week, so it ended up minimising childcare. Plus she had 2 proper days off - so could do more things with the pre-school child/in school holidays (if you are only working mornings, you are more limited i n what you can do with afternoons, particularly if working round naps), and had time available to get jobs done when her DC were at school. I'd say her other advantage was that with mornings you are constantly having to think about what you are doing next and switch "modes" which is mentally tough. From a work point of view , the longer days meant she could get more done and just focus on work, but she had a hard job catching up every Monday after being off for 2 days, and ended up quite often e.g. reading emails on her day off as she needed to keep up to speed.