Shift work or mon-Fri with preschools

[Tattyteddy2]

Hi all!

I’m sure to return to work this August after 12 months ML. DD1 will be 3 and DD2 will be 1. I have 3 options regarding shift pattern on upon my return. DP works a rolling shift pattern of 4 on 4 off.

Option 1 - rolling shift pattern 4 on 4 off which aligns exactly with DP’s pattern.
Option 2 - rolling shift pattern 4 on 4 off which is opposite DP’s pattern (I start 4 on as they start 4 off)
Option 3 - mon-fri 8-6 with every other Friday off and 2 days from home.

Each DD has 2 days per week childcare each.

Has anyone got any experience working any of those sort of patterns with children? Which would be best in terms of spending time with my children, managing running a household.

Many Thanks

Have you got childcare covered for both doing 4 on/4 off on the same days?

It surely completely depends on what other childcare you have. If you do the same pattern who has the children if both working Saturday/ Sunday? if you have no childcare other than the 2 days you mention you’ll surely have to work 4 on/ 4 off opposite DH? If you have family to help I’d do Mon-Fri as at least then one of you is off every weekend with them.

My parents have kindly offered to have the children on our 4 on where it doesn’t fall on a nursery day

I'm assuming your shift days are long days, so I'd avoid being on shift at the same time or the children would basically go the whole time without seeing either parent for any meaningful time. I'd lean towards Mon-Fri I think, but it's a tough call.

In that case I’d definitely do Mon-Fri. Once children are in school it will be invaluable to have every weekend off with them. 4 on/ 4 off I assume would mean long shifts where you would I assume barely see them for 4 days.