Working as a PC and having a baby - advice UK please

[Jessmary94]

Hiya, so I am 6 months into my training for the police, and it is a 3 year probationary period.
I have just got married and we are thinking about trying for a baby in the summer when I have got a year under my belt in my new career.
I just wondered if there are any other mums on here who work for the police and can give advice on how they have juggled shifts and having a baby. I don't think going part time (which is what I would ideally want) will be an option till I am out of my probationary period as you now do a degree so have uni work matched with your career progression.
We have considered waiting until I have finished the 3 years but both agree we want to have a family sooner rather than later.

Thanks, Jess

Is your partner going to share the childcare evenly, how flexible is your partner's job/employer?

My partner works 8-4 Monday to Friday. He could be a little bit flexible. Problem is my job is better paid at the minute but he is in line for a great promotion when his boss retires (in about 10 ish years) so we don't want to jeopardise that really and they look after him really well x

It’s difficult because of the different shift patterns every week. Most nurseries want set days that the children are with them each week. Would you have support from grandparents? We tend to rely on them more than we would want with late finishes, last minute cancelled RD’s etc...

I would put off having the baby until the probation period is over.

Yes we would have support off Grandparents as my mother is retired ( but lives an hour away) and my partners mum lives 5 minutes away but still works full time.

It's a real tricky one 🙈

If you found a nursery from 7-5 to work around your Husband's shifts then he could look after the baby when you're in work.

I honestly would reconsider prioritising your dh's job based on a possible promotion in 10 years time - anything could happen in that timespan so it's in no way guaranteed.

You have embarked on a career that needs the partner with regular hours to take on the bulk of the childcare plans so I would base decisions on nursery etc around dh dropping off/picking up etc.

And honestly, unless you're in your mid 30s I'd give yourself those 3 years to bed in to your career before a baby.

There are a number of personal reasons why we don't want to wait.

Thanks for the advice, ideally we would work around his work hours I just wondered if anyone working shifts had any other advice. Thanks for all the replies :)

Some nurseries do accommodate shift workers by allowing different days a week, but don't underestimate how tired you'll be after working a nightshift and try to look after your child the next day.

I wouldn't rely all that heavily on a promotion 10 years away.