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Im currently a stay at home mum doing the odd day of work. In hoping to get a job that's 30 hours per week. I was hoping to put it into 3 days but it looks like 4 days with one shorter day. DD is 2 and would be in care 3 days per week and DS in after school care.
Is it really exhausting? How do you get your household things done? Do you enjoy working?
It's the unknown to me and would like to hear your experiences. Thanks so much :)
I work a 7 day fortnight, 3 days one week, 4 the next and I'm also studying part time. I'll be honest, it is very, very hectic and chaotic at times and I do struggle to get everything done.
I don't enjoy working at the moment but I think that's more because I'm not enjoying my job, rather than working in general. I'd give anything to reduce my hours, but our financial situation won't allow that.
I don't have any time for social activities, basically my life revolves around work, housework, and study. I wish I had more time to just play with the boys...
I think working 2 or possibly 3 days a week would be ideal.
Thanks Jaycee. That's what I'm afraid of. The job sounds great and I won't be studying, do you think that would make a difference?
I'm also afraid of not working and not knowing what to do with myself when both kids are at school. I think if I leave working until dd starts school, I will have more difficulties finding a job. It's so hard to work out to find the right balance
I work three days a week for a total of about 22 hours. I have one 19 month old girl and am pregnant. I work for the enjoyment of work rather than needing to work which is lovely. I do get very tired, especially as I'm pregnant, but on the other hand it is a desk job so it is the only time i get to sit down for long unlike life at home with a toddler. What makes it work for me is my finish time- I'm home by 4pm on two days and 4:30-5pm on one day so i do not feel like i get home and immediately have to get DD's dinner ready then our dinner- i can spend time with DD, have a cup of tea and unwind for the moment. Also DH and i alternate cooking. And when we cook we mostly cook enough for two nights so we both can have a couple of no-cook nights in a row if we are tired.
Forgot to add!
I also don't work three consecutive days as I felt it was too much of a block away from a young child.
I initially worked only two days but it was too hard fitting work into those days and I felt pressured to take work home, which I'm not keen on.
I work 3 days per week (Mon, Tues,Fri) I'm a teacher and work 8-4.30 or so and I have two kiddies. It's not always easy but having systems/routines helps. I try and grocery shop on the way home and do a bit of basic housework each day. I did get a cleaner once a fortnight to do the heavy cleaning which makes an amazing difference. My biggest challenge is my DH commutes and is gone from 7am to 7.30pm so no help with dinner, bath, arsenic hour! My saving grace is an amazing daycare where my kids are super happy and learning heaps AND they provide all meals, including breakfast, which makes the morning rush much easier.
I think 30 hours over 3 long days would make it very hard and spreading it over 4 would be easier on all of you. Good luck with your decisions!
I'm working two full, long days in the office and then two other days I'm committed to working from home for 4-5 hours per day. My "home" work days are a pain - I need to fit in in around DD3's sleep, school drop off/pick up etc but the benefit is that I am there for those school things. My office days are long - I got home last night just after 7pm and I've had a couple of days where DD3 has already been in bed by the time I get home, which is not what I want - but the benefit of those days is that I don't have to worry about anything but doing my job when I'm there and I really enjoy the independence.
It is hard juggling. I've been back almost two months and I'm struggling getting all my domestic stuff done but I think that's just a case of me getting myself more organised. Doing a cook up so you have dinner ready and needing just reheating, or significant prep done makes a huge difference. I'll be honest though - as hard as it is I absolutely love it. I've missed the mental stimulation that comes with working. I don't find it any more exhausting than being home all the time and think any physical tiredness is being well and truly offset by the benefit I am getting mentally and emotionally.
Sweetpeajan, it would definitely make a difference that you won't have study thrown in the mix, but expect to be busy :)
The other issues I have that add to my situation is that I don't get home til 6-6:30 each day so it's a huge rush to get dinner, bath, homework, lunches for the next day and then do some basic housework as well. 95 percent of the cooking, cleaning and child related chores falls to me so it can get quite overwhelming at times!
I work 22 hours per week over 4 days (Mon -Thur), school friendly hours. When I first started it was 3 days (Mon, Tues & Thur).
Half the week I have to do the after school activity run around.
It is hard, I especially noticed going from 3 to 4 days. Huge difference losing that weekday. I feel like my Fridays are just hectic with catching up with appointments, home stuff etc.
We keep on top of the basics, but the big things do suffer. Sometimes I don't home cook as much as I would like, as just the concept of meal planning can be too much on top of a tiring week. Dh is kind of helpful, but is mostly interested in the outside stuff.
We do need the extra money from me working, but I do really enjoy it. Whilst I do get exhausted, it is better for me, as I am a procrastinator and it is just not great for my mental health to be at home most of the time.
Ive found a few little housework changes do help- we get a cleaner in once a fortnight which is huge- she does the big mop, dust, vaccum etc so i just stick vacuum the living areas in between to keep it nice.
I put on a load of washing at night on soak, so that first thing when I get up i just press the start button and the wash does its thing so i can have time to hang out before i leave. I also wash on short cycles (unless it is a heavy or really dirty load) which is much quicker- no waiting around.
I also have lots of frozen meals waiting in the freezer.
I have just in the last three months increased my work due to staff chnages and do four days a week 10 hours days and it is busy. I'm usually cooking dinner the minute I walk in the door! My DS helps out with the cooking so we still interact and we eat and then have bath and bed. So mon-Thur is really busy.
I also have a cleaner every fortnight as well which is fantastic cuz it just wasn't getting done.
I don't feel as guilty working the hours I do cuz DH picks our son up from daycare when he finishes work at 2pm.