Job decision- WWYD?

k&d2006

Let me preface this by saying, my ideal situation would be to work part-time because I love my job, but I love my Kelsie more (obviously), and I HATE taking her to be watched by someone else.

I currently work 4 10 hour days with Wednesdays and weekends off. I start at 7:30am and am supposed to leave at 6pm, but they have let me leave at 5:30pm since coming back from maternity leave, so I work 76 hrs per pay now instead of 80. Nice, I know.

The girl that fills in for my day off on Wednesday approached me and asked if I'd like to also take Thursdays off. Well, HECK YEAH! However, only working 30 hrs isn't enough $$ to pay the bills, and I need to be at least full-time, which I think is like 32 or 33 hrs a week. Anyway, I am trying to decide if I should propose working 3 12 hr days (36 hrs/wk), that way I would have Wednesdays & Thurs. off (one less day at the sitter, even though I would have to pay her the same), or if I should just stay the way I am because I leave at 5:30pm and not 8pm. Plus, if I change now, there's no going back. So once she starts preschool and elementary, mommy won't be home those 3 days til 8:30pm or later. WWYD?

the_magic_number

Personally, I would stick with 4 10 hour days.  It sounds like you have a pretty good deal working in that you only working 76 hours instead of 80.  Also, I treasure the time that I have with Connor in the evening after I pick him up.  So much so that I pretty much passed on an opportunity to stay with a company that I could move up in to come to a job where I will get annual salary increases but there isn't really any upward mobility just so I can work 7:30 - 4:30 every day.

OUAmanda927

I think the four 10 hour days are better, especially since you get to leave early. I think you'd miss out on so much if you didn't get home until 8:30. That's probably not too soon before her bedtime, is it? Especially since you'd have to pay the same $$ for daycare. GL with your decision! I'm sure it's really tough...not looking forward to that dilemma when the time comes for us.  

aleeandbry

I would stick with what you have.  12 hours is a long day and you won't be able to see your dd and then when you have off, W&Th you'll be very tired when you're with her anyway.  Especially since there's no monetary break with your sitter!  Your DH might miss you the 3 days you get home late too.

stacyinluv

I agree with everone else.  Stick with the 4-10 hour days.  From an HR perspective, you are getting a good benefit for working 36 hours and still being considered a fulltime employee.  GL with your decision.

k&d2006

I work 38 hrs per week now with the understanding that there will be days when I must stay til 6 if one of our docs needs a scan in stat. So even on vacation days and holidays, I still take 10 hrs per day, not 9.5, that's just a luxury because they like me and I need to get to my baby.

emilyandbrady

I agree with everyone else too.  What a great set-up you have at work.  I am jealous

cassiehunt

I would stick with the 4 days as well. 12 hour days are long and your little one might be in bed before you get home. The extra day you'll just end up doing chores that you didn't have time for during the week.

steph508

I am in the same situation, and have often thought of switching to 3 12's.  I currently work 4 10's tues-fri, I drop ds off and dh picks him up so that we get home about the sametime.  Here are the points that I have pondered. 
What time does dd go to bed?  Even though its only 3 days are you going to feel like you dont get to see her at all on those days?  On the days that you work dh would be solely resp for dd. 
When school starts would dh be willing to do homework everynight?  Well it would be only really be mon and tues bc you oculd help her over the weekend.  Would bedtime be 9ish so that you can put her down or would dh do that?  Part of me feels like though 3 days would be extremely hectic, but theres not part of being a mommy thats not. 
Im sorry Im not much help bc I am also torn, I guess it comes down to are 3 days of not seeing dd worth one extra full day with her.  For us I dont think dh could handle the 3 days.....

k&d2006

Steph,

Are we the twins or what?????? LOL!!!! I could have written your post word for word. DH has NO CLUE how to put DD down to sleep because he doesn't ever do it! Not even in the middle of the nights on weekends! UUGH!!!!! I would be home to put her to bed, but really with getting home a little after 6, there isn't much else to our days when I work than putting her to bed anyways, except a bath every other night. I think, and this may be dumb, but I think that as a family, when the time changes and it doesn't get dark til like 8 or 9pm, we would like the time together to talk stroller walks, and if I don't get home til after 8, that can't happen. Plus, when she starts going to school, I don't want to be stuck at work on Friday nights when DD and DH want to go out to eat and celebrate the weekend. If you think of any other pluses or minuses, let me know. I am REALLY struggling with letting go of an opportunity to be at home with my baby more days than I can now.