Working mums - how many hours do you work?

lizzybear_2

I'm on maternity leave at the moment but will be going back 3 days a week (8.5 hour days including 1 hour for lunch) in September. Childcare will be shared between my boyfriend (he does a 2 week nightshift pattern so can have her about half the time i'm in work) and both of our mums. I personally wouldn't want to work more hours than that and it would be difficult for me to do so anyway but conversely I think we'd struggle if I worked any less. I'm hoping that 3 days a week will work well. All the best with whatever you decide.

HRV

Just retuned to work. My twins were 12 months. Work about50 hours. Leave house at 7.30 return about 6. In nursery full time. Had to go back full time or I wouldn't earn anything

marywooyeah

I am supposed to do 40 hours but often have to eat lunch while working as the nature of my job means often things come in off the street or last minute so I regularly leave around half hour after I'm supposed to so I do between 40-50 hours a week, particularly if I work the saturday drop in too.

it really isn't easy, so much of my wages go on childcare, we are entitled to a whopping £35 a year of working tax credit chilcare element and I miss my son so much but this has to be balanced against bringing in a wage to contribute to the household (I pay all the bills, husband pays the rent and we try to split food but inevitably one sometimes pays more than the other) and my son really enjoys spending time with the other children and doing activities at nursery.

if you don't have to pay childcare fees and you could use the money then I'd say go for it OP - your boss clearly is impressed with you to offer you more hours.

emsywoo123

I started a business, largely in part so I could have more flexibility around DD.

Roll on 5 days of self employment, voila a positive pregnancy test

Skip on 2 more weeks and I am a single parent!

I remember 5 hours after my c section telling my dad to unplug any old bit of hospital equipment so I could charge my blackberry and place orders and reply to emails. :eek:

It has been hard, but I am now (2 years on) employed as a director by the company, and work far more hours than I ever imagined, but DD is at school, and DS is at nursery 3 afternoons a week.

Overall really, I'm just constantly knackered :rotfl:

sassyblue

I co-run a business working during school hours, 30 hours per week. DS is 5. However lm constantly tired and looking to pack up and be a sahm for a while, then get something no more than 20 hours a week.

Hubby works 55 hours a week.

I take my hat off to you mums working 40-50+ hours a week.

freyasmum

emsywoo123 wrote: »

I remember 5 hours after my c section telling my dad to unplug any old bit of hospital equipment so I could charge my blackberry and place orders and reply to emails. :eek:

PMSL. I took my last call as I walked into the hospital to have dd :rotfl:

"Hello, can you come sort out my eyebrows?"
"Erm, sorry, bit busy tonight!" :rotfl:

emsywoo123

freyasmum wrote: »

PMSL. I took my last call as I walked into the hospital to have dd :rotfl:

"Hello, can you come sort out my eyebrows?"
"Erm, sorry, bit busy tonight!" :rotfl:

Ha, I had one PITA customer wanting to discuss width of biros when I was in labour (76 hours thank you very much!)

"So, is the average nib width 0.4mm or 0.7mm?"

I could have shoved his biros somewhere that would have made it rather challenging for him to use them!! :rotfl:

freyasmum

emsywoo123 wrote: »

Ha, I had one PITA customer wanting to discuss width of biros when I was in labour (76 hours thank you very much!)

"So, is the average nib width 0.4mm or 0.7mm?"

I could have shoved his biros somewhere that would have made it rather challenging for him to use them!! :rotfl:

To be fair to the lady, my girl was a month early so we weren't expecting her so soon!

Also, I went into hospital after 7:30 and she was born before 10. Most of the time was spent in the admissions bit so it was pretty easy for me - in your position, I would happily have twotted the guy! :eek: Honestly, some people just don't think

masonsmum

Thanks so much for your replies everyone, I do enjoy my job and OH and I are getting married next year, if I take on the extra day I am going to be bringing home approx an extra £250 per month as he is giving me a wage rise as well.

My concerns were that I wouldnt have time with my boys as I would need to catch up on the cleaning but Im sure paying for a cleaner once a fortnight wouldnt be too much of a sacrifice!

sunshine_1988

I'm currently on ML but due to return to work when my baby is 8.5 months. Personally, I do feel sad about going back to work and if we could afford to I would love to be off with him everyday, but, on the other hand, I do want to work and earn my own money and I want him to know that his Mummy and Daddy have worked for him.

I'll be working 32 hours over 4 days. But finances mean I will be keeping my eye out for another job and if it was a higher grade but 5 days a week - I would probably apply and have to go back to 5 days a week, as in the long run it would benefit us as a family more.



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