I'm currently sorting out my return to work and I'm only going back part time. I originally wanted to go back just 2 days per week but work have offered me 3 days and I don't know what to do! When I was pg I always said that I'd go back for 3 days but when Stephen arrived I said I couldn't stand to be apart from him for more than 2 days. I know money is going to be so tight if I go back for 2, but if I go back for 3 Stephen will have to go to nursery for the extra day (my mum would have him for 2 days). I can't make my mind up what to do, I feel like I'm being selfish just doing 2 days as we need the money. Aaaaagh I'm so confused! Any advice or experiences? Sorry I've just read that back and it's a complete ramble

Would it be finacially worth you working 4 the extra day just 2 have 2 pay 4 a day childcare thats how i would look at it and thats y im a (mostly) stay at home mum coz i would have been taking home about £20 a month if i went back to work when jaiden was born and that was with nursery workers discounts LOL

mmmm i felt the same. i do 2days in week and 3 the next (my mum has Cerys). I do the minimum required for tax credit purpose (16hrs) but it works out 18.5 for me in my job. I had to go back to work to keep us steady financially but im like you, the more time with baby the better. Do what feels right in your heart x

Hi Hun, after my maternity ended I went back 3 days (Monday-Wednesday) and I think it is really good as you get the best of both worlds. 3 days a week you are back in the "normal" world and then for four days you get to spend it with your little man. I find the weeks fly by and before I know it, I'm finishing work on a Wednesday. Try and not feel guilty about leaving your little man, you are working hard for his future and I find that Bethany loves it nursery which makes me feel better.

If you need anything else just pm me.

xx

Could you try 3 and change to 2 if you found it hard??

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I don't think I'd be able to change it once I went back, my boss seems to be being quite nice about it all at the moment so maybe I could ask? I'm also worried that if I go back 3 days the workload will be much higher. When I was full time I used to bring a few hours work home every night and also had to catch up at the weekends and I don't want that to happen!
If I do only go back 2 days will that mean we won't be entitled to tax credits? xxx

Hi Hun

I know how you feel. I'm going back 3 days and I'm finding it really difficult to come to terms with as I'm going to hate leaving my baby.

For you I thing it will be finacially beneficial as you will get tax credits. So it would depend on how much more money you would get.

I don't think you're selfish wanting to work 2 days though.

I hope you work something out

x

Thanks everyone. I'm so confused! We had a talk about it and I made my mind up to go back 2 days. Then my hubby said he thinks he would be able to use his flexi time at work to look after Stephen on the third day every week so that would be good. So I decided ok I'll go back 3 days if hubby can look after him, then burst out crying because I just don't want to leave him! I should point out I hate my job, most of the department and my friends have left whilst I've been off because it's so bad! I think it would be easier if I enjoyed it! Aaaaaagh it's so hard! xxx

How about a compromise of going back 2 days one week and 3 days the next?

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I wouldn't be able to do that because I teach in a college and I have to commit to my classes unfortunately. I was supposed to be going back in December but I've changed it to March trying to put it off! I think I'm just going to have to go and buy a lottery ticket and cross my fingers xx

Awww no, that is a shame.

Yep... I keep buying lottery tickets too, lol!

x