Working moms: How many hours a week do you work?

[Grendalynn]

I am asking a general question to moms who work outside of the home - how many hours a week do you work?

I ask because I am a working mom... Generally I work part time for the school district- 24 hrs a week . With the exception of 8 weeks in the spring and fall when I add coaching middle school sports. I have been offered a position that is year round increase my hours to 39 per week: 9-4:30 and would stop the coaching.... Pros are I wouldnt have to travel to away games, I would have a more steady/year round income, the same hours M-F and would be right across the parking lot from my kids. Cons are I enjoy coaching, would have less of a flexible schedule and I would make more, but pay out another day in day care$$... My day care provider for DS2 is amazing! My mom has him 3 days and is with another wonderful lady for 1, soon to be 2, days!

This thread is no offence to SAHMs. I think its great if you have the ability or choose to do so. I have worked my schedule for 10 years around my kids - Not working any more than I had to when they were super little. DS2 is our youngest and wanting more interaction with other kids. He is well on his way to be potty trained and I couldnt be in a better spot for having all my kids and I within a stones throw from one another...

I am just on the fence as to what to do. I feel like I am selling my family out for an extra $xxx dollars a month, or so I look at it as a way to better our family and save for college, rainy days and of course DISNEY?? Any feed back would be greatly appreciated! I hope to give my notice to the Superintendnt by 4PM this afternoon!??

 

[Stasieki]

I work close to 40 hours a week. I have done this since DD was 12 weeks old, so know no different (she is almost 3 now). There are times I wish I could be home with her more, but it is what needs to be done for our family. I just switched jobs a few months ago (moved) and work for a family friends now, so have a lot more flexibility when things come up, so I love that. Also, my mother in law watches her now (in FL she was at a home daycare). We had some financial things come up that will probably prevent me from being able to stay home for a few more years. But, I really love my career and feel I have a good balance so not sure if I would change anything anyways. I know how tough the decision is for you. Good luck!

 

[Mommy2JulietJocelyn]

I am pretty lucky - I work nights (RN) 3 nights a week so I work 36 hrs and pick up usually 16 hrs a month. I get to be with my girls - no one is in day care - Juliet is in the township preschool so it is 5d/wk - bus pickup & drop off and it is free(well - paid by taxes).

 

[Tinkmom75]

I work 40 hours a week and I can say it is challenging and I often feel like I have no time for myself. I often feel overwhelmed by it all. When DS3 was born I went down to 32 hours a week for a year and that made a world of difference, like just being able to catch up on laundry and stuff during the week so I could enjoy weekends more. I had to go back up to 40 hours about a year after he was born. If I could swing it I would cut my hours, but our budget and my position require 40 hours. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Grendalynn]

I work 40 hours a week and I can say it is challenging and I often feel like I have no time for myself. I often feel overwhelmed by it all. When DS3 was born I went down to 32 hours a week for a year and that made a world of difference, like just being able to catch up on laundry and stuff during the week so I could enjoy weekends more. I had to go back up to 40 hours about a year after he was born. If I could swing it I would cut my hours, but our budget and my position require 40 hours. Good luck with your decision!

I work close to 40 hours a week. I have done this since DD was 12 weeks old, so know no different (she is almost 3 now). There are times I wish I could be home with her more, but it is what needs to be done for our family. I just switched jobs a few months ago (moved) and work for a family friends now, so have a lot more flexibility when things come up, so I love that. Also, my mother in law watches her now (in FL she was at a home daycare). We had some financial things come up that will probably prevent me from being able to stay home for a few more years. But, I really love my career and feel I have a good balance so not sure if I would change anything anyways. I know how tough the decision is for you. Good luck!

These are the 2 scenarios that I toggle between... yes it would benefit our family financially, but what about peace of mind?? I look at it that DS5 will be in school all day next year. DS2 will be in preschool next year as well... its just limping through these next few months that will be hard. And I need to look at the big pictures - colllege, retirment, and the economy... I couldnt ask for my kids to be in a better place when it comes to day care and babysitters. That makes a big difference - they are all or like family... I will also have the same or similar schedule as my kids being taht Iwork for the school district - same holidays and vacations, just a day or two here a week throughout the summer and such... 9-4:30 M-F ... it couldnt be any better... ??????????
Not sure what to do!!?? I dont wanna be a big kid anymore!!

 

[ALittleDisneyFan]

I'm a WAHM - kinda. I'm actually a photographer and I travel to meet with clients 1 day per wk. Normally, when all is said and done I probably "work" 4 hours a week - when you factor in post editing. In January I'm going to increase my work load to 3 days per week for sessions which will be 12 hours. My daughter will be with me then so no problems there.

I think you should give it a try, if you don't like it, can you cut back to what you're doing now?

 

[Grendalynn]

I'm a WAHM - kinda. I'm actually a photographer and I travel to meet with clients 1 day per wk. Normally, when all is said and done I probably "work" 4 hours a week - when you factor in post editing. In January I'm going to increase my work load to 3 days per week for sessions which will be 12 hours. My daughter will be with me then so no problems there.

I think you should give it a try, if you don't like it, can you cut back to what you're doing now?

Thats exactly what DH said... "If you dont like it and it just doesnt work for us, you quit!" I have NEVER quit anything in my life... ok, well maybe a small job or two when I was waaay younger... I think that will be my approach... Then should i not like it or it not work for us, then I cut back to my original 24 hrs per week and coach like I have for years! Now I just have to talk to the boss and counter offer the wages... that could be a deciding factor in itself!

 

[KristinU]

I work 40 hours a week. The thing in your scenario that weighs in for me is the away games and coaching. Is that eating into your family time in the evenings? Would you be able to spend more concentrated time in the evenings and weekends if you took this new position? I really cherish the time we have together as a family on the weekends and the evenings, and quite honestly I don't think I would if I was at home during the day. (totally not bashing those that do - just knowing myself and how I would probably treat that time if it weren't as precious).

Best of luck in your decision!

 

[KristinU]

looks like you came to a decision while I was posting!

 

[Tinkmom75]

I don't think you are selling your family short, just don't sell yourself short. I often don't take as much time for myself as I should, but then a lot of Mom's are guilty of that. I think school systems get a lot of holidays and vacation time, plus if summer is mostly off that is great!! I get 3 weeks vacation and 2 personal days for the year. My employers is flexible, but if I have to take time for appointments or sick kids if I don't use one of my 17 days or make up time then I don't get paid.

Is your DH supportive and willing to help with more housework? I have a DH that will prepare dinner most nights of the week. I told him he can pick up DS from daycare or make dinner and he chose to make dinner. Also, my sister does daycare for me, I do pay her though. My personal experience with having a young child at home was the extra day helped a lot. I think you will do just fine whatever decision you make and I don't know how many hours you spend coaching. Perhaps you are already away from home 40 hours a week when you add that in.

 

[*pixie*dust*]

I work 40-45 hours per week. 5 days a week. I do it out of necessity so I can support us but I also enjoy my job. DS is at a great daycare center that he really loves and has a great academic program. I miss him terribly during the day but we have our special weekday routines and the weekends are our family time.

 

[jennyL]

I work 40 hours a week but my office has flex hours so I go in at 6 and leave at 4 Monday to Thursday and Friday I work from about 7 to 11. My DH is great and gets Noah ready and to daycare in the morning and then I pick him up when I get off. I love having the couple of hours in the evening before DH gets home of just me and Noah time. So far (its only been 6 months that he's been in daycare) I pick him up around noon on Fridays about every other week. The other weeks I'm running errands or doing laundry or something and even on those days I get him by 2.

Good luck with your decision and having everything work out for you. I know I personally am not a stay at home mom kindof person and more power to those of you that are. I was going stir crazy when I was home for 3 months on maternity leave. We've talked about it for after the next kid but I think that will depend when that happens and how old Noah is then.

 

[daisyduck123]

1st grade teacher

45 hours/week: I'm at school everyday 7am-4pm

Many more hours w/ take-home work

 

[brockash]

I'm a paralegal at the district attorney's office in my county and I work 37.5 hrs. a week. About a month ago we had the option to go to a 4 day work week, which I did, and really like. I'm able to take my son and pick him from school once a week which is really nice, and I get to spend the day with my 18 month old.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

I work 40 hours a week. I took a 6 month leave of absence when my 2nd baby was born..but thats about it. I telecommute from a home office so I'm not actually leaving my house...but I'm still in my office for work hours.

Originally I worked Mon-Fri and my DH and I would try to stagger our schedules so I started later and he came home early..We had a nanny for the core hours during the day.

I was feeling overwhelmed and a little unhappy after my daughter was about 2. I approached my mgmt and we all agreed on a Mon-thur 10 hour day schedule with Fridays off. That really made it worthwhile. My kids are only with a nanny for a limited time Mon-Thur (actually my oldest is in Pre-K now so its even more limited). I have Friday to do activities with them and just spend the day catching up on personal life stuff.

I'm much less stressed and still am bringing in my full salary. But I just wanted to say I always approached each different life scenario whether it be working, hiring a new nanny etc.. If it doesn't work then change it. Nothing is set in stone. It helps. Good Luck!

 

[Matt'nMeg'sMom]

I work 50-60 hrs per week, in a corporate administration position. I'm grateful for the job, because I'm the primary breadwinner in our family. My husband works full time, but makes no money. My salary supports us.

I hate being a working mom. I am not one of those women who can gracefully balance work and motherhood - my kids don't complain (yet), but they're getting a raw deal. I never get a break. I only got 3 weeks maternity leave when DD was born!

I wouldn't do it if it wasn't 100% necessary.

 

[Darcy03231]

I work 40 hours a week. The one big thing we did was to buy a house close to my office (DH commutes an hour each way). We're about a mile from where I work. If the kids need anything or are sick at school I can be there in less than 5 minutes. I work 8:30 - 5:30 so I've always been able to get them off to school (or daycare when they were little) in the morning. DH works from 6-2 or 7-3 (he works commercial construction) so he's home somewhere between 3-4 pm. I go home at lunch time and prep dinner so he gets it ready for when I get home. My children are all older now and we only have two left at home (dd-17, ds -15). It really isn't all that bad.

 

[lurkernj]

Before my kids were born, I worked full time as an accountant. After second DS was born, I waited tables to be able to stay home during the day. When kids were 18 mos and 3 1/2 yrs, I went back to work part-time. It was for 20-25 hrs/week. Over time, I added more hours until second DS was in first grade...I made the collassal mistake of accepting full time hours.

He is in 5th grade right now (other is in 8th), and while we have settled into a routine over the years, things are still really hectic. My house is never clean, laundry is usually behind, and homework doesn't always get checked. The kids have lots of activities that keep me running anywhere from 3-5 nights a week, with little time to get a meal on the table, or even foodshop. I have kicked myself more times than I can count for making this decision. I have since gotten a promotion and can't go back to part-time, I would have to quit and start over somewhere else, and this is a good job with a lot of flexibility.

Yes, we have more money and can afford to do more things, but who has the time! My kids are awesome kids and I always get compliments on their behavior, so something must be going right, but there is still a lot of guilt that I could be a better mother if I were home more.

 

[LadyShea]

I work from my home as a customer service rep, so have to actually be in my office with the door closed and have someone watching DS2.5. I work 40 hours currently.

I am trying to pick up side clients as a virtual assistant/on-call administrative support person, and hope to be able to replace my current single contract with multiple clients that don't need to me to answer phones from Xam to Ypm daily. That is my goal so I can set my own hours.

My DH works part time, early mornings, and so is home by 9:15am so I can work while he watches DS.

 

[Grendalynn]

Since my first post, I made a counter offer about the pay... I am not sure if I shot myself in the foot or not, but I did it! I need to be able to make money if I am going to add a day and a 1/2 of daycare expenses... I dont want to work more and make less. I guess I will have to sit back and wait. It is what it is...

Anyone insterested in sharing how much they spend in daycare $$ in a month? I figured that should I take this job and add a day and a 1/2 to the daycare schedule, we would be paying out $888 a month!!! Thats for DS2 5 full days and DS5 5 1/2 days.... Anyone want to share?