Work pattern - which to choose. So confused.

[fluffybunny2001]

Hi All

After spending days going over this all in my head I decided to turn to the masses and see what the consensus might be as I am going around in circles.

In January I am required to go up to four days a week (with the fourth day from home). This will mean the kids (two - age 4 and 7) will need to go to the before and after school club more (which they really don't like) but I will have one day a week to do cleaning/admin/shopping etc etc. Under this arrangement I would get to do pick up and drop off twice a week.

There is also the chance for me to split that fourth day over two days - meaning two short days on Monday and Friday and three full 7.5 hour days Tue-Thurs (with Thurs from home). This set up would mean doing the school run morning and afternoon three days a week.

It might not sound like a hard thing to decide on but currently I have two days to myself in the week which is so amazing in terms of organising the house and keeping on top of stuff. Not having one whole day to do that at the moment feels like a daunting prospect. Saying that though I wonder if my desire for a day at home should take a back seat to being able to do the school run more as I want to be there and at home for the kids as much as I can.

This post isn't meant to be critical of anyone or anything. I realise I am fortunate to currently WFH one day a week and have the two days. I am just struggling to decide which would be best for us all as a family. I realise I am in a fortunate position to have the choice and I don't take it for granted :)

I currently drive two days a week but working five days would mean driving a 1.5hr round trip four days a week.

It just all feels so muddled and I am hoping someone might have an opinion that will help me decide what is best.

Sorry for rambling and thanks to anyone who can add their thoughts.

I'd do the long days myself for a few reasons:

1. you will save 1.5 hours a week on your commute (plus commuting costs).

2. childcare will be less of an issue during holidays.

3. it can be difficult to do half days and leave work whist everyone else is still working - there is always that one person who will call/email just before you are about to leave.

I agree. Do the 4 days rather than any shorter days split over 2.

I always found it a huge boom to avoid the school run actually - we had someone else do pick ups and I stopped work abour 6. I never understood why anyone wants to see their small children at their worst time of day when tired and hungry. You also get to avoid all those other parents at the school gates too although I suppose if they are in before and after school club you cannot avoid seeing other parents then.

What do you do on your days a week to yourself? Could you outsource? Eg get a cleaner and someone to mow the grass? Get amazon prime to save going shopping for birthday gifts?

I work four days over five and have also worked four full days. Whilst I prefer the full day off, I’ve gone to working across five because it does make the after school things so much easier. I don’t have your commute though, so in your position probably would do the full days.

With a fairly lengthy and presumably expensive commute, I'd do the long days. That will also give you more time with the DC in the school holidays. I'm going to be in the position of deciding whether to do part time hours as 5 short days or continuing with fewer longer days myself soon enough, and at the moment am leaning towards the longer days. Because of the holidays really.