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Original poster

Best way to divvy up a 21 hour working week?

18 replies

Pookythebear · 01/10/2017 21:25

Just that really. I've got a new p/t job and manager is very flexible. As long as I can do 21 hours pw it doesn't matter how I do it (as long as it stays within the 9-5). The commute is only 15 mins max.

I've got 2 DC, one at school and the other at nursery. I would like to continue to do the school run, so that cancels out 3 x full days.

How have others spread 21 hours over the week to make it work for them or what would you do?

Tia

OP posts:

DermotOLogical · 01/10/2017 21:27

What's the max you can fit between school runs?

Snap8TheCat · 01/10/2017 21:27

9-2.30 Monday- Thursday. Gives you a 15 minute break too.

Snap8TheCat · 01/10/2017 21:31

Although personally I would do

Tuesday 9-5
Wednesday 9-2
Thursday 9-5

titchy · 01/10/2017 21:31

What snap8 said. If you can also wangle three full days during school holidays (on the assumption they'll be in full time holiday club then) that would be perfect.

Original poster

Pookythebear · 01/10/2017 21:35

Thanks snap - I was thinking along those lines. Dermot - I could get to work for 9 and the latest I could leave is 3...

OP posts:

NapQueen · 01/10/2017 21:36

Dont work mondays. If the place closes for bank holidays you will only be entitled to a pro rata amount so will need to use annual leave for the rest of them.

HemanOrSheRa · 01/10/2017 21:37

I work 10am - 2pm everyday (with a slight adjustment for night call out) so 20 hours. If I could, I would condense my hours down as snap suggests so you get 1 day off during the week. DS is 12 now but when he was a nursery/primary school I found I didn't really have much time to get stuff done without DS around.

Ellieboolou27 · 01/10/2017 21:37

Same situation here, 2yo and 5yo, I've tried various ways to work around my 22 hour week, what's best for me is 3 full days. I do 9-4 so do use breakfast and after school club, and childminder for youngest.

I find it works better than splitting it into school hours over more days, as when the holidays are in I get to spend whole days in the week with them.

I tried 9.30-2 etc but was always stressing about leaving work on time so I wouldn't be late for school pick ups, I found it quite stressful and was always clock watching.

15 min commute is good though, mines 30-40 mins.

I hate the school run though so get the best of both as 3 days breakfast club but I still have 2 days to catch up with teachers / parents etc.

Original poster

Pookythebear · 01/10/2017 21:40

Damn fine point about the Mondays! I never thought of that.

OP posts:

Thirtyrock39 · 01/10/2017 21:42

i would do one full day of 7.5 hours and get wrap around childcare for that day and then 3 short days of 9:15-1:45. Means you get time to yourself on the short days but won't need childcare

AChickenCalledKorma · 01/10/2017 21:42

I do 25 hours and work 5 X 5 hour days. I love the fact that I can be home with my daughters after school, even though they are teenagers and could fend for themselves. And my boss loves that is easy to remember when I'm working.

Thirtyrock39 · 01/10/2017 21:43

I do something similar and it's good having one full day and having some childcare in place as things crop up when you might need it other days and easier when you've already got something set up

DermotOLogical · 01/10/2017 21:43

I'd do 3 days if school has an after school club.

More free days means more time to do stuff and easier in holidays. Plus you'll only miss 3 school pick ups which is nothing.

Original poster

Pookythebear · 01/10/2017 21:50

Some great replies, thanks. School doesn't offer wrap-around care which is a bugger - so it would be a trot to the local nursery for that. But a few of the kids in the eldest's class go there so I know he wouldn't mind. Got a bit of the guilts about my youngest doing longer days, but again, once they get into a routine...

OP posts:

jellyandsoup · 01/10/2017 21:52

I would do 2 long days then you are totally free the other 3 days of childcare allows

Pipnik · 01/10/2017 22:26

I do 20hrs a week. 9.30 to 2.30 Tue to Fri. It means I don't need any childcare during the week and I get one day a week to get stuff sorted and keep me sane.

JenniferYellowHat1980 · 02/10/2017 14:28

You need to think ahead to illness during school term time. I do 24 hours as 3 full days. In some ways 4 short days would be easier but I'd have one less day's grace if I needed to be home with one of them. Also three long days are easier to cover in the hols that four short ones.

MyPatronusIsAUnicorn · 02/10/2017 18:37

I work 22.5 hours and have split it over 4 days with 1 full day off. I wanted to still do school pick ups and have a short commute and didn't want to pay childcare in term time so I do 9-3 Mon, Tues, Thurs and 9-1.30 on Fri. Wed is my day off. Walking bus take DCs to school and I shoot right off when they go past, I leave work at 3, at school gates just before they come out at 3.15. Childcare in school holidays will be less as our club has a 5 hour block cheap then I'll add 1.5 hours on. I'd pay a lot more if I made it 3 full days with paying for childcare in term time plus longer hours in holidays. My health also means I need shorter days and a day in the middle to recover.

I wish I had known about the Mondays though. I assumed I'd be getting extra time off because they are shut but nope, I have had to use some holiday hours (for Good Friday). Bit of a bugger really.

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