First time DD1 had just turned 1 and started off just 5 hour one day per week. Best thing for my sanity and way overdue for us financially, really needed for me to working much sooner.
Second time around, DD2 was 2 1/2, went into a temp role for 3 months. Then after DD2 turned 3, I returned to permanet part-time role. Very much needed for the money, was beginning to go backwards. Much needed for my career, if I waited any longer my references would be too old and my skills, meaning a real drop in wages. Also the ideal job appeared and it was too good to turn my back on.
After DS1 I returned to work when he was 11 months old, finished work at 32 weeks. DS2 I stopped at 37 weeks and started back when he was 13 months old casual work though. Decided to do a further post grad dip and started when he was 13 months old.
i thought i was going to have to go back to work when DS was 3 months old. i didn't feel ready at all & i was gutted at the thought. thankfully i didn't have to. i've just started working one day a week for 6 hours in the last couple of months (DS has just turned 2). so far i'm loving it - esp because DP is home on the day i work so DS is at home. i never thought i would go back to the field i used to work in & thought i would never want to but i've slipped back into it without any trouble. i do feel a certain amount of guilt because my potential salary would be a bit more than DP's but i really do enjoy spending the majority of my time with DS.
it took me a long time before i really felt ready & i was lucky that we had the luxury of waiting. it did mean we were just afloat but it worked for us
I went back casual when DD1 was 7 months, not for long though and then we moved. I go back to full time work in just over a week. DD1 is now 2.5 and DD2 just under 11 months. I don't want to. But My earnings are more then DP's plus he can only get casual work which stops when the schools are on holiday, and mine is a more secure position with a fixed rate and penalties. I don't want to go back, but have no choice really.
DS1 – 3 months. I initially worked a 20% load and built back up to FT by the time he was 11 months old. He was cared for by DH and my Mum until I found a wonderful family daycare lady (when he was 11 months). I expressed for him until he self weaned at 14 months.
DD – 4 months. I initially worked a 40% load and built back up to an 80% load by the time she was 14 months. But it was too much with DH working full time (he also travels for work) so I dropped back to a 60% load. I expressed for her until she was about 12 months old, we weaned by mutual agreement ( ) at 22 months.
DS2 – Probably not until he is 18 months to 2 years old. Next year, if I go back to work and DS2 goes to daycare we’ll have a triple drop off. I’m a TAFE teacher and have to be in class teaching at 8:30am and because DH often works away there will be days when I’d have to do it all myself, just not possible.
With DS I returned to full-time work when he was 8 weeks old. It was purely out of necessity, but I was working from home so it wasn't so bad. Dh stayed home for 5 months, then we hired a babysitter.
This time DH is earning enough for us to get by, so I will stay home. I do plan to return to work (part time hopefully and something different) when DD is around 2, which is when we're comfortable putting them in daycare (ideally). I might look to do some casual work on weekends or something before then though. Some time when DD is eating more other foods and I'm getting some sleep
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) at 22 months.
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