half days or full ones

[stircrazymum]

Brace yourself, its a bit complicated!
I currently work 2.75 days a week (50/50 3 full days/2&1/2days). My daughter is in nursery 3 days a week, I have been doing this now for over a year after going back after mat leave. Its ok but I sort of thoughts life might be a bit easier by now!
I have an opportunity to change my hours to 5 or 6 half days spread over 4 days or stay the same. To spread out the hours I would have to put dd in nursery for 4 days a week. This would them give me the option of 'time to myself' in the afternoons to get stuff done. I have no family who live locally and find it very difficult to just get my hair done or go swimming etc, my husband works long hours. I miss my daughter over the three days. Life feels very polarised into work days and baby days. I think I would find it easier to work mornings and then spend the afternoons with her. I am also thinking in advance re picking up from school etc. My husband thinks I am mad 'why would you get up 4 mornings a week instead of three for the same or less money?'

Has anyone changed their hours like this and has it worked??

Are you travelling costs an issue? I work 30 hours in 3 days and have considered doing 6 hours a day all week. I decided against it because I enjoy living two very separate lives and travelling costs would be more. I also enjoy having 2 whole days where work isn't even thought about.

Travel costs aren't an issue! Do you pick up and put to bed on the days when you work? I do on 2 of the days and find it exhausting after a full day at work

No, not always . I am blessed with very flexinle child care and husband. I think it depends on your child as well. I know that if I just make it home for bath or bed DS often gets over-excited not having sen me allday so as hard as it is I condense all the work into a few days to have 2 whole days with DS. I live quite a long way from work in commuting time and cost so it's better for me to reduce the no. of days I work.

I think if you aren't happy with the current arrangement and feel this would work better for you then give it a go. As you say it will also be handier for when she starts school.