FT to PT to FT?

[Solasum]

I am a single mum to DS 8mo. I went back to work full time when he was 4mo.

I have taken a couple of days off, and have suddenly thought that maybe I should go part time. It would mean living off savings, which I would not be able to replace. And I could not afford to do it for very long. Work would probably not like it much, but would put up with it. It would probably upset my mum, who looks after him 2 days a week atm.

Should I just do it?

It's difficult isn't it? I go back FT next week although my ds is 8 months.

Would you definitely be able to go back to FT when you can no longer do PT? Absolutely check this and get it agreed in writing if work agree. You don't want to find they won't let you go back to FT!

The savings would bother me as I like to have a buffer but I appreciate everyone is different. If you used them up would you be ok if for example the boiler breaks?

Could your mum have your ds on another day?

If it were me, from reading your post, I think I would remain FT given that you can't do PT for long and would use your savings but obviously it's your choice.

I sympathise though - I'd love to go PT but can't

If I did do it I would need him to carry on going to nursery 3 days a week while I work, or we weould lose the nursery place.

Whatever you do, don't base a very important decision on how your mum will feel. Seriously. Make a decision for you and your childand what is best for you, not your mum! We've had years of MIL trying to make us tailor childcare round what she wants and it's your decision!

Sorry, that is probably coming out a bit flippant, but my SIL is in a situation like this atm (being forced to consider her mum's feelings in her childcare plans) and I feel very strongly about it!

FWIW in your situation I would remain ft. I was ft until dc1 was 2, am now pt, and while it has been good for my dc, it's been a struggle financially. I will be increasing my hours when dc2 starts school, partly because I will be bored at home, but also because the extra money (several k more) will be welcomed.

Ditto Pumpkin's advice. If you go PT your employer could get someone else in to cover the rest of your FT hours or could/should reduce your workload to PT hours. If you decide you want to go FT you may not be able to, or at the very least may not be able to in your current position. Most jobs don't magically switch between FT and PT hours on a monthly basis.
Have you considered more flexible working as an option? Compressed hours, working from home (if possible), flexible start/end times, working shorter days when LO is at your Mum's?
As above, do what's best for you and your baby - not what suits your Mum. She might love looking after a 8mo, it might be a different story when he's two or three and being an exhausting wee terror!

You could make a temporary flexible working request - these are usually done on a permanent basis but can be requested on a temporary or trial basis. This would give you time to see if the arrangement was one you wanted longer or not. But your employer does not have to grant it. If you have an employer who will let you chop and change between pt and ft you are very lucky!