Single mum, working 23 hrs a week, 3 full days or 4 shorter days?

[Orangerie]

What is the best combination?

So far the offer is working full days on Tue, Wed, Thu.

Must work full time Tue & Wed. But trying to split Thu between 2 days (mon and thurs) so DS doesn't have to go to after school club more than 2 days a week.

What is better? 3 full days or 2 full +2 half? I tend to feel lost if I am only working 3 days a week and DS needs some attention at the moment so would rather spend most afternoons with him.

If I do 3 full days, have 2 free mornings to catch up with the housework, and hopefully take on further education.

I have thought about the pros and cons so much I don't know anymore.... any suggestions to get me out of this mental loop?

Thanks in advance

bump

For me I'd rather do the 3 full so that I've got more spare time in big chunks rather than bits.

Would an extra day at after school club make a really big difference to your DS? I guess that's the clincher

There is a situation... his father is being emotionally abusive towards him. He seems very messed up at the moment and is having problems at school.

I think in the long run it would be better to work 3 days rather than 4, but at the moment that seems not convenient. However, when the hours are settled, there are no changes

Hmm - I was thinking that this might be a short term issue. Sorry about your ex being a twat

Can you go back 3 days but then speak to your line manager about doing the short day thing until your DS is feeling a bit better about life? OR could you take some unpaid leave to do that for a few weeks?

Have you got any flexibility with breaks?
i.e. could you take half an hour instead of an hour for lunch and leave half an hour earlier?

Is there breakfast club available?
Could you start work earlier and therefore finish earlier on the Thursday?

I'm on my own with 4, 3 at school and little one with (amazing) childminder. I work 30 hrs wk spread over 5 days. The 3 at school go to breakfast club every day, 'cos its cheaper than after school club and they're raring to go in the morning, whereas after school they're a bit tired. So i get in about 8.15 and can leave 2.15 to get little one for a bit of one on one time and can also pick others up from school every day.I could do my hours over 4 longer days but it works out cheaper over 5, and I love to be able to pick them up every day.

I do three full days, wouldnt swap it for the world. It allows me to cover sickness, swap days for school events (never missed one yet) and have 4 days in a row together when not at work.

As long as the ASC is ran well, I dont think an extra day makes a difference. Your DS will be with friends and doing lots of activities plus in the hols he'll have 4 days a week with you if you only work 3.

Also might be worth looking at the holiday situation - if you work part time (as in no.of days), I think you also have to apportion out the bank holidays & then take them as holiday if a normal working day falls on one. As most bank holidays fall on a Monday, by not working Mondays you gain a day or two extra holiday.

Maybe not so important now, but added to having to find childcare for 3 days rather than 4 in the school holidays, could be better for your DS in the long run.

I work 18 and a half hrs and rather than 2 two longer days and a half day i do 3 shorter days so like previous poster mine go to brekky club and i finish at 2.30 to pick em up - seems less of a rush apart from MY early start.

Thank you all, I guess I will ask for the 3 days then. Hopefully I can do the third one by starting very early so I can pick up DS at the end of the school day.

Guess I will need to make the rest of the afternoons extra special.