Working mums - how many hours do you work?

gibson123

36 a week, she was 12 months, no need to feel guilty but make sure some of that extra cash is used to "buy" you more time with your kids, pay to get the ironing done, or get a cleaner in once a fortnight for things like bed changes, windows and deeper cleaning. It's not quantity it's quality that counts, I knew SAHM who spent less time interacting with their wee ones than I did when my girl was small.

lilymay1

It varies, but usually about 60. Far too much. (I work in banking) DS is now 9 months old and I am desperate to have another baby so I can go back on maternity leave and spend my time with him again.

duchy

Gillyx wrote: »

There is absolutely no reason to feel guilty. In an ideal world, we would all be able to afford to stay at home with our kids and we would want to. Circumstances dictate that a lot of women can't, and some people chose not to.


.

Of course it's normal to feel guilty, motherhood is one long guilt trip though

What utter rubbish Not all women WANT to spend 24/7 with their kids even if financial circumstances permit it -some choose to work, some volunteer -some don't. Mothers aren't all the same-and their reasons for working/not working aren't just about money in many cases.

As for guilt -It isn't normal to feel guilty about working in particular -or about anything else either. It's normal for some people and not for others. I never felt guilty about working part-time when my son was small or longer when he was older. I worked to support him and to show him what a good work ethic is -what's to feel guilty about ? I had an excellent support system and his father was also actively involved in caring for him both when we were married and after we divorced. He's soon off to university and despite having a disability is a confident and capable young man despite not having a guilt-ridden mother !!

One size doesn't fit all...Mothers are individuals not blinking clones who all conform to one school of thought ! Please don't imply working and guilt automatically go hand in hand-It may for some but it isn't universal !!

pmlindyloo

Worked full time since my twins were 6 months old. Fortunately had the school holidays as I was a teacher.

Would absolutely agree with the poster who said use some of the money to have a cleaner to make things easier. Otherwise it is absolutely exhausting and the quality time disappears because you are too busy cleaning and ironing (get someone to do the ironing too!)

Sometimes you just don't have a choice and sometimes you benefit from being your own person and shaking off the 'mummy' person for a few hours.

Gillyx

duchy wrote: »

What utter rubbish Not all women WANT to spend 24/7 with their kids even if financial circumstances permit it -some choose to work, some volunteer -some don't. Mothers aren't all the same-and their reasons for working/not working aren't just about money in many cases.

As for guilt -It isn't normal to feel guilty about working in particular -or about anything else either. It's normal for some people and not for others. I never felt guilty about working part-time when my son was small or longer when he was older. I worked to support him and to show him what a good work ethic is -what's to feel guilty about ? I had an excellent support system and his father was also actively involved in caring for him both when we were married and after we divorced. He's soon off to university and despite having a disability is a confident and capable young man despite not having a guilt-ridden mother !!

One size doesn't fit all...Mothers are individuals not blinking clones who all conform to one school of thought ! Please don't imply working and guilt automatically go hand in hand-It may for some but it isn't universal !!

That's why I said "would want to" I feel guilty for not wanting to spend all day with my child, I love him to bits but it is draining.

I apologise for my comments I didn't realise they would upset!

I also don't think whether your mum works or not has any indication of work ethic or confidence etc. I have friends who had part time working mothers, full time working mothers and stay at home mothers. Now when I look, one is a social worker, one is working in a high achieving marketing job and the other is a teacher. Both my parents worked and atm the moment I'm a stay at home mum.

wendz86

I work four days a week 9-5 and have done since she was 10 and a half months. DD goesto nursery and seems to get on well there.

onlyroz

35 hours for me, and my last job was 36.25 hours. Hubby works 37 hours. Daughter is in nursery from around 8:15 AM - 5:45 PM. Son is at school but is collected by a childminder Mon-Wed from 3:15 PM - 5:45 PM.

We have an arrangement where I work slightly shorter hours Mon-Wed and slightly longer hours Thur-Fri, and hubby does the reverse, so that he can collect the kids Thur-Fri.

Works for us.

freyasmum

I probably spend around 45-50 hours a week with clients, except in Christmas/high Summer when I basically live at work I have a waiting list too.

Then I have at least another 10-15 between doing various other admin/accounts/marketing/stock checks/ordering and more on top if I'm doing training, which is usually at least another 8 hours. I do try to fit in the other stuff when my daughter (who's now 6) is in bed/at school and around doing the ironing/washing/being on here (! ).

I drop dd off at the breakfast club 4 days a week and she always asks to go on a Monday too, because they play games and run around together, so it's not like I'm forcing her to do something she doesn't want to do. Then she goes to my mums to play with her cousins till I finish work. I'm a single mum and have no other options and it works for us

amus

I do three days a week 7 1/2 hours a day.

This is the most I can do due to childcare costs without me being out of pocket, DS1 gets 15 hours funding and I have to pay for DS2 fully as he is only 2. Anymore and the cost would outweigh my wages.

IMO I get the best of both worlds because I have my independence at work whilst I am also able to spend time with my sons. I am lucky we can afford to do this with my partners wage.

dizzyblonde82

I started work when my DS was 6 weeks old, I had been off sick prior to being pregnant and had no entitlement to maternity pay. I worked 5 - 10 in the evening and my nan or my mum looked after my DS as my husband worked shifts.

My son was 18 months old when I started full time work 9-5 and he went to nursery full time.

My son is now 6 and I work mon-fri 9am to 3pm as my son was diagnosed as autistic and wouldn't settle in after school club.

If you enjoy your job and the extra finances would help then work the extra day, spend quality time with your children when you are not at work.

I knew from the start that I couldn't be a stay at home mum as I need to work to keep myself together and need to feel like I contribute to the finances. My son has a great bond with both my nan and mum which is lovely to see