Should I look for a school hours job, advice needed!

[SMLSML]

Need work advice... I've been in a role for the past 10 years, currently an events executive. I have one day off a week to have my toddler and also have a child in school. The role can be high pressure, with tight deadlines and sales expectations/targets, along with occasional travel across the UK to run events on the day.

I'm starting to think I need a job which works around school hours, especially as my eldest is now starting to get homework/spellings and going to after school club just doesn't let us help her with this and makes me feel so guilty. We're currently all not getting home until gone 5:15 which is barely any time for dinner, bath and bed time, let alone quality family time 🙃 I know so many people will understand this struggle!

Am I looking for a unicorn role? 🥺 I can't take a pay cut and I love the flexibility of working from home and being able to make the majority of school and nursery events. However I'm so conscious they're only young once and want to be there for them as much as I can day to day. Any advice is so welcome! We're currently not in a position for me to stop working before that's suggested 🤣

Could you go free lance then you could dictate your hours a bit more? There’s not many jobs that fit round school. Obviously there’s stuff like TA but it’s low pay.

School hours jobs are very short -say school is 8.30-3. The job is 9-2.30 and you need a very high hourly rate. There also aren't many of them!

I worked 8-4, term time only, so still needed before and afterschool care. Most of the holidays were a breeze tho - occasionally the holidays didnt quite align, and inset days always required DH. You are very unlikely to get to go to school plays, sports day, Christmas show, end of year event etc etc etc.

It really depends, I work 7:30 till 2:30 which works for us as DH starts later. I can’t wfh but so do have flexibility & haven’t ever missed school
plays, sports days etc.

i used to work school hours but actually found it too much of a juggle. Rushing from school to work and back, no time whatsoever for myself- finishing work, rushing back, entertaining kids, homework, making tea etc etc
Actually found it a better balance when i worked 9/5 and could focus more on work mon-fri rather than trying to do everything and also meant dh stepped up with taking turns for collecting, dinner etc.. after school club would do homework and so on

You haven’t mentioned a partner but where I work, mums often do the 6-2 or 6-2:30 shift so they can pick up their child from school. Dad does the morning drop off.