Long hours with a young child, how does it go with family life?

[hoolagirl]

I think I may need to go back to work in the 'city' for at least 6 months for financial reasons. Am currently hoping for a job in my home town but this won't be happeniing to after August/September.
I would need to leave around 7.30am and would not get home till about 6.30pm.
I have a 2 year old son .
I know there must be plenty of people who do this, but really how does it work.
Do you see enough of your kids, can you make it up at the weekend with them?

I think for 6 months you'd be fine .. and you'll adjust fairly quickly..

I wasn't able to do it for longer than 11 months but then DS was 6 months when I went back and 17 months when I stopped ... but then that's just my experience

but in terms of childcare I'm sure your 2 year old will be fine ..

I currently leave at 7 & get home at 5.30, but at busy times like month/year end I sometimes leave at 6 and get home at 8. It is tough - sometimes only getting in in time to put her to bed, but it's not too bad. You tend to make the most of the time you have together a bit more.

Loads of people manage it, male and female without any problems. Some of us like less time with our children not more anyway. 2 year olds are hard work. A few evenings a week when you don't see them can be a huge relief.

How did we manage at that age? We had a daily nanny for the 3 under 5s (cheapest solution) and when she arrived one of us left for work - I think we took that in turns, depended on the stage we were at, jobs etc and then one of us made sure we got home each night in time for her leaving time. Main thing if there is a husband or wife is that you make sure the child care, the carers, the sorting it out, paying is regarded as entirely 50/50 a thing to be done by both of you. Never let it be your responsibility if you're female.