third day back with four month old, should I ask for a 4 day week or wait and see?

[Gemmitygem]

Just gone back, and it's fine, in fact enjoy being back. DS is with a nanny, who seems fine and fond of him, he's sleeping and feeding the same (expressed milk in the day)..

But it's only just hit me that if I carry on working full time, I'm only going to see him at the weekends and it's not very much! It's not a very stressful job and I can get home for his bath and bed, and DH is playing with him in the mornings before he goes to work, so he's only without a parent from about 11 till 5.30 pm

I was thinking of waiting till the end of the month and then seeing how I feel and how DS feels, and then asking for 4 days.. any experiences of this?

I'm only back for a few weeks as well so I'm not sure how much thoughts will be.

I work 4 days and I do feel that I am getting to see a lot of DS.

Do give yourself enough time to adjust but if you think you can stand the cut in wages then it could be a good thing to do, as workwise I don't feel I miss too much by being out one day a week and I think a lot of jobs could be done 4 days a week.

Even if you decide not to go ahead, your arrangements seem really good as your DS has a lot of time with his parents.

Good luck

Something else you could perhaps do, is to ask for more holiday, instead of changing from 5 days to 4. Depending on your work, your employer may prefer this, as they may find it hard to cover your work one day each week, but could get someone to cover for your short holiday periods. Also this may mean your current nanny would also stay in your employment, as a nanny who has taken a 5-day per week job, is unlikely in my view to be very happy about dropping to 4-days, but may like additional holiday - though would expect to still be paid so this would not save you money.