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Returning to work full time

6 replies

Firesidetreats1 · 07/01/2020 08:53

I’m currently in the process of emailing my employer with the end of my maternity date. I would like to return the 1st April and I’m planning on going back full time. It would be nice to drop a day however I don’t actually need to do this as I have childcare. How have people found going back full time? Im feeling okay at the thought of returning to work but anxious about leaving him

OP posts:
Syncplug · 07/01/2020 09:06

I think it depends on quite a few things as to whether it's managable and you feel it gives enough balance. The commute, the flexibility, the hours themselves, how you think your child will cope, and their routine. I went back part time initially which was fine, but I had the same workload as I had before maternity but with less pay and the expectation to do it in less time. I found another job which was full time a month later and was so nervous as it was full time, but it's been great. It was very hard at first, and I think finding childcare you are comfortable with plays a huge part in that; we chose nursery, and he loved settling in days and I knew he was safe and being kept busy. Work now is only a few minutes down the road, I don't know if I would cope psychologically and also physically with a long commute, knowing it would take a while to get back if needed and also the sheer tiring nature of it- it's a lot easier if you are close by. My hours start early but I'm finished and home by 4pm, so still a good few hours in the evening together which makes all the difference, I'm not sure how I would feel about getting in just before bedtime and that's it, but plenty of people do and find it okay. He also slept through from 7pm until the morning which helped massively as I could relax in the evening, and then get a good night's sleep (it's tiring, very tiring- not sure how I would cope if I was also up and down all night).

It does become the new normal quite quickly, and he loves nursery, he also loves seeing me at the end of the day and I have found the time we do have together is better quality (as cheesy as that sounds). You have to find what works for you, many of my friends are much happier working part time, but I would look at different factors, finances, and remember that going part time doesn't afford you the chance to automatically go back to full time when you choose. If you can afford to drop a day though and you think that would make you happier, then no reason not to really. Or maybe start full time and see how you go? Either way there's not really a right or wrong answer, good luck.

fringeforever · 07/01/2020 09:12

Personally I wouldn't dream of it unless I absolutely had to. I started back 3 days when my daughter was 11 months and that was difficult. She was two days at nursery and one with my mother. She was always catching bugs from nursery and that first year after she started at nursery I can't tell you how many nights I spent mopping up vomit and having to go into work next day on zero sleep. I missed her first steps as well. Others will have had better experiences I guess but I hated being apart from her

Dyrne · 07/01/2020 11:34

One thing I would caution about going down to 4 days from friends’ experience is that it seems to be common to still lumber you with a full time workload and just pay you less. With 3 days you can draw a bit more of a line and people will get that you’re part time. (Though as a PP has said from their experience it’s not a guarantee!)

user1487194234 · 08/01/2020 19:41

Agree with PP don't do 4 days
Generally it is a very personal decision
Obviously if people need a full time salary they don't really have a choice
If people have a choice they have to decide what is best
I did 3 days when they were little but am now full time

QforCucumber · 08/01/2020 19:43

I went back 5 days , dh and I both have fab employers when dealing with illness and we share the workload. Ds is almost 4 now and I'm due baby 2 in june. I works for us but we have short commutes so only out 8:20 - 5:30 daily

bakewreck99 · 08/01/2020 19:45

I went back full time with both dc - it was fine work wise but in the end the quality of childcare meant I felt I was letting the kids down, you won’t know until you try, I found the work part the easiest part after children!

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