Flexible working

[lancslass17]

Currently work M, T, W, F. 8.30 till 5pm
Have Ds 1 day a week.

When he starts school in September contemplating working 2 long days 3 shorter (able to. Pick up)

What are your thoughts?

I have spent an unreasonable amount of time thinking about this given that my youngest won't go to school for another three years! But I work four days and I've also wondered whether I'd go to five days with some shorter when they're both at school. Obviously it seems like the choice I 'should' make - less wraparound care, more time with DC - but I think that one day on my own would be so great and would make such a difference to the rest of our lives - that I'd like to keep it. But DH also works four days and his only option would be to keep his day off or go back to full-time and so a little petty part of me wouldn't want him to have a day off when I don't...! More seriously, I think it would be great for the school holidays to have that day a week off.

Probably nicer for your child to do that but think you'll find it absolutely exhausting! And chores that you could get done in your day 'off' would just roll over to evenings and weekends. You'll end up feeling like you're working full time but getting paid for four.

School holidays it might be helpful but also any childcare you got for then would be cheaper if you booked it for a full week.

I work full time with a reception child and one at nursery. It's very tiring. I'd love a day to do the cleaning, batch cook, life admin. I'd be more present for the kids when they're with me if I didn't have a million jobs rolling around in my head.

You need to approach work as much as it would suit you if it doesn't suit the business need they have every right to refuse .

Work are happy for me to change I think they would actually prefer so up to me.

It would cost more to stay as I am too

think you'll find it absolutely exhausting! And chores that you could get done in your day 'off' would just roll over to evenings and weekends. You'll end up feeling like you're working full time but getting paid for four.

I agree with this.
It is really useful and productive to have a whole day off in the week, but you'll never recoup that time in having 2 extra days where you leave work early but go straight to school and pick up dc, then have dc.
It is a really good thing to be able to pick up at least once a week, so you can put names to faces etc, but you can do that on your NWD. I wouldn't lose that, if it were my choice.

It would cost more to stay as I am too
You would be paying for 2 more after school clubs/ childminder sessions, but this would still be less that you are paying out at the moment for childcare. Plus you would have an extra commute (and I don't know if you buy lunch at work or any other expenses).

When DS was at nursery, I did 30.5 hrs in 4 days. When he started primary I did 32.5 hrs in 5 days - 2 x 5hrs, 2 x 8hrs and 1 x 6.5 hrs. Works for us, and I don't WFH so have commuting time on top. I pick up from school x 2 days; DH picks up from school x 1 day and we use after-school care x 2 days.

Thanks all