I have three children - all at primary school and a few years until I need to worry about secondary. Currently work part time, four days a week. I’m a lawyer in house doing transactional work and management stuff (managing a small team of lawyers). I have really enjoyed working part time and feel it has given me a lot of additional head space which has meant the days I am in work I can really commit and give 100%. I work pretty intensely on my work days and while I don’t make bedtime every evening I do enough not to feel I am missing out.
Enter the pandemic! My job is pretty secure (I mean nothing is bullet proof but we need more lawyers not less!), it’s been a very tough year and my day off is becoming more and more theoretical! I don’t necessarily work it every week but my first day back after my day off is now almost intolerably intense and the evening working is creeping up and up.
I have a nanny who does 20 hours a week and then as much of the holidays as we want. She adores the children and I think would do the extra afternoon if we asked. But she may move on in the next 18-24 months as the kids are probably outside her preferred age range. But any new nanny may prefer 5 days rather than 4?
I am just wondering if the time has come to go back full time. The money would be nice (and would cover private school fees for at least one child possibly a bit more so it’s a significant boost) and it would probably help promotions although I am probably a good 5 years from that having been promoted about 18 months ago. But will I regret it?
I did have a high level chat with my boss around using parental leave to give me an extra two weeks holiday every year but that’s obviously subject to management sign off and could be refused at any time. I will be able to work from home at least 2 days a week permanently (with flex to do more here and there). But I wonder if I will really regret the space it provides in my life, particularly mentally. But then I’m. Not really getting it! Husband at home, kids have been isolating 3 Time since they went back to school, can’t really go anywhere or do exercise in the same way. Perhaps it’s run its course?
Has anyone gone back full time and regretted it? Stuck with part time? Would be interested in anyone’s experiences