How do you manage work (p/t) with 3 children, if at all?

[grannyslippers]

We have 2 dc's atm and am mulling over having 3rd. Thing is that DH thinks that with 3, there is no hope of going back to work even p/t. (I've not gone back yet!) Basically it would be goodbye career.

Is 3 that much more difficult than 2? I loved my job and should have opportunity to go back part-time. I can see there would be some nightmare years of multiple drop-offs/pickups from childminder/nursery/school until they are all at school, but would the logistics of life in general just be too much? I really want to convince myself we could do it but perhaps I'm just kidding myself. We do not have option of grandparents to babysit.

This is stressing me out which is why I'm on MN in the middle of the night.

Well I'm hoping it is doable as I'm hoping to go back to work later this year when the youngest of my three starts school!

I gave up when I had my second, as, like many others found, it didn't make sense from a financial pov... though I do wonder if that was the right thing long-term, as you say it is easier to get flexible working/part-time hours from an existing employer.

I'm hoping to get part-time, term-time only hours but don't expect to earn much doing that - will have to be a different field to what I did before.... but going from a zero income, any amount is a bonus...

I will ahve to make it work for me otherwise i wont be able to have another child. Definitely cannot give up work unless i win lottery before then.

My eldest is now 8, so technically if i do have a 3rd i will really have only 2 children to sort out cos he isnt a problem.

My sister works full time and has parttime job with one child, so part time with 3 should be a doddle!

I cant let myself think too much about this cos it makes me flustered! Its the main reason for worrying about a third, but im determined it wont stop me.

I have 3 kids and work 2 dyas a week - they are stressful days from the minute I'm up until I go to bed (honestly!) not loving my job at the moment, so it may go.....

it's getting out of the house in the morning - and then doing it in reverse at the end of the dya. sorting out lunchboxes/homework/clothes - the usual drudgery.

I have a cleaner now, makes a big difference.
have to day, I don't find it a doddle at all, and I'm a pretty easy going laid back p[erson.

Stop it! It cant be that hard

I would do what im planning to do when i return to work in March.This is, one night per wk, 2 day shifts, either mornings or afternoons/evenings and one 930am-3pm shift. These will be spread over the wk and weekend so i think i can manage it easily, but im worried housework will slip!