Part time work / part time mothering

[ThatRedBird]

I am on maternity leave and I am due to go back to work in October, when my child will be 12 months. I am planning to work part time. But I am hoping to hear what part time set up do you have ? Or have had when DC were little?
I just need inspirations and reassurances.

For context - I have a good career, earn well, always worked very hard and took my work seriously. But I am very well aware of precious time that is given to me with my little boy, so I would like to make the most of it. I am also older mother - 36, so waited some time to start a family

Completely different from my experience.
My career wasn't 'killed off' at all.
I was further promoted, and also moved to new jobs whilst working PT.
So it might be career dependent perhaps. It certainly isn't universal.

My dh (with hindsight) feels sad he didn't stand up more to the sexism at the time that meant it was difficult for him to go part time too.

I mean, because we were both balancing the needs of everyone in the family, he actually turned down more lucrative job offers than I did as we didn't feel it would be a good move for our family at the times he was offered jobs in different countries.
Also, just because one parent is working FT, doesn't mean the other does 'all the running round' with the dc. Both are still parents. My dh did his fair share of taking the dc to childcare. We are both their parents.

I worked PT since my DD28 was born. Mainly this has been 3 days pw (MTW) as I preferred to have the separation between work and home. It takes some adjusting to make sure things happen while you're out of the office, but if you manage that you certainly work more efficiently. I think I was always very good value for money.
I moved to 5 mornings once both kids were in school, which worked with that more senior role where I didn't need to do site visits and of course saved a lot ££.
My summary:
I did it to maintain my sanity and sense of self, and it allowed my to continue working in a decently paid profession to 62. I'd do it again.
Working PT did impact my rate of promotion. I know because my manager told me. That was the late 90s but I'm sure it still happens.
You're always a FT mum!
Expect to work extra hours for "free" if you want to progress
Yes, check their policy on BHs as there's a lot of confusion about this. I wasn't paid for BHs for 14 years until I moved to an employer who used the "you work 3/5 days, you get 3/5 paid bank holidays rule"

Thanks all for sharing your experiences. Hopefully I will manage to arrange a part time role for myself, I am really not comfortable to not be employed. I don't feel comfortable not earning my own keep, so I do need a job.
My current role won't be possible to be convert to PT, and it's location is way too way now (I have moved out of London). They might agree on PT but not on WFH, which will make it very difficult logistically for us.