https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 29 Apr 2026 23:45:35 +0000 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:55:42 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.05 360 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=22176 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=538052&title=work-home-life-balance#538052 Author: marielb
Subject: 22176
Posted: 06 November 2008 at 8:55pm

I work part time too (3 days a week) and although I think it would be nice to be at home all the time, I think the balance of the boys being with others and me at work is really good.

I kind of figure if I was home all the time, I wouldn't be able to afford to do things with the boys that I love doing (zoo trips, chipmunks etc........)

Hope you can find a great balance that works for you xxx ]]> Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:55:42 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=538052&title=work-home-life-balance#538052 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=535018&title=work-home-life-balance#535018 Author: lizzle
Subject: 22176
Posted: 03 November 2008 at 10:10pm

Paws, have you taken into account a possible rise in WFF if you go down to part-time hours and possible increase in child care subsidy?
I know with us those two dropping actually made us worswe off when Lewis got a higher paying job!]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:10:27 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=535018&title=work-home-life-balance#535018 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534868&title=work-home-life-balance#534868 Author: emz
Subject: 22176
Posted: 03 November 2008 at 8:39pm

I work part time also but will return to full time (at a different job) when we have had #2 due to finances. I enjoy part time at the moment, only do 10-15 hours so would like more but I really struggle with the idea of full time. Maybe it really would be worth a shot, especially if depression and anxiety have been affecting you badly. And Maddi will love you being at home more, she won't get bored as she'll still be going to DC part time.]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:39:19 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534868&title=work-home-life-balance#534868 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534855&title=work-home-life-balance#534855 Author: FionaS
Subject: 22176
Posted: 03 November 2008 at 8:25pm

Not sure I can be of help. I work part-time and I do think it is the best balance for us but it can be tough. Your mind is split between 2 things all the time. The odd occassion I have worked more hours, I find I can keep work at work and home at home but when I go to a 50/50 split, I feel constantly torn in 2 directions...as though neither role is getting quite enough attention.

I do find part-time work to be best for us though...Elle loves the variety but also has plenty of Mummy time.

I think every family is different though and with everything, there are different seasons.

All the best for your decision making.]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:25:26 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534855&title=work-home-life-balance#534855 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534846&title=work-home-life-balance#534846 Author: jaz
Subject: 22176
Posted: 03 November 2008 at 8:16pm

Its a bit of a shock going from working full time to being at home full time with a new baby. Its natural to want to get back to work where you can earn some money, have adult interactions and have a bit of predictability and control over your day.

But being a parent changes you so you can't go back to being the same old person in the same old job. You don't get your old life back because you've changed so you end up feeling being torn between the work and family.

It sounds like you've re-evaluated and being at home more is actually what you'd quite like to do. I guess the first step is to do a budget and see if its do able.

Given the current climate this is quite a good time to ask for your hours to be cut back. You may find the organisation you work for are looking for ways to cut back costs anyway. And if its a 24/7 operation they should be able to accommodate part time hours. ]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:16:37 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534846&title=work-home-life-balance#534846 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534842&title=work-home-life-balance#534842 Author: Mama2two
Subject: 22176
Posted: 03 November 2008 at 8:13pm

No advise, but big 's from us.

]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:13:25 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534842&title=work-home-life-balance#534842 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534839&title=work-home-life-balance#534839 Author: AnnC
Subject: 22176
Posted: 03 November 2008 at 8:11pm

I left to go on maternity leave full time - I know my limitations and knew I couldn;t go back full time and so ended up getting part time 10 hours a week and I love it. I don't work mon or fri and so I have 4 days at home and then i have my break at work just enough to get me out and about but not too much that i felt overwhelmed and stressed..

I do sometimes fill in at work other hours which comes in handy the extra money.. perhaps if a part time is an option and let them know you are available for causual hours on top.]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:11:46 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534839&title=work-home-life-balance#534839 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534836&title=work-home-life-balance#534836 Author: gemsmum
Subject: 22176
Posted: 03 November 2008 at 8:07pm

Hey hon. Def worth thinking thru.....you know I only work part time and wouldn't dream of doing fulltime with the kids and all. Being a working mum is a hard job, I always feel like I don't manage to give 100% to either work or the kids - I can only imagine that full time would be worse. I think parttime is a good compromise, 3 days a week at work still leaves over half the week with family/home.
We should get together and have a natter over a coffee sometime soon.

Hugs]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:07:58 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534836&title=work-home-life-balance#534836 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534809&title=work-home-life-balance#534809 Author: Paws
Subject: 22176
Posted: 03 November 2008 at 7:50pm

busymum wrote: Do you think it's just pre-Christmas holidays depression?

Well oddly enough that's almost why I was off work for so long...depression and anxiety. It's really made me reassess what my priories are!!!!]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:50:23 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534809&title=work-home-life-balance#534809 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534802&title=work-home-life-balance#534802 Author: busymum
Subject: 22176
Posted: 03 November 2008 at 7:46pm

Do you think it's just pre-Christmas holidays depression? I had a bit of a low about working away from my home/family last week but it's only seven weeks until Christmas so I figure I'll manage!

It's definitely very hard to juggle work and family commitments. I wouldn't stress about reducing your DD's hours at daycare because she will probably enjoy being with you at least as much and settle into whatever new routine easily. Money is always a big thing but sometimes you just have to settle on what you will be happy with, for the positive of spending more time "investing" into your children.

My 2c worth anyway But that's why I take 1/2 hr at lunch and go home at 4pm.]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:46:52 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534802&title=work-home-life-balance#534802 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534773&title=work-home-life-balance#534773 Author: MissCandice
Subject: 22176
Posted: 03 November 2008 at 7:17pm

Hugs chick!

Im the same, iv changed hours and days so much in our callcentre and the roster guy has been fantastic.

I have Kylah in part time and i feel miserable about that. I hate having her there and i hate working what i feel like is so much!

I guess what im trying to say is maybe you would feel the same given the opposite, could you just drop one day and have maddie for that day to yourself??]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:17:08 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534773&title=work-home-life-balance#534773 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534752&title=work-home-life-balance#534752 Author: Paws
Subject: 22176
Posted: 03 November 2008 at 6:54pm

I possibly could, I guess I'm nervous about asking for more shift changes even though work has been amazing with rehabilitating me and helping me get back to work. plus I've changed shifts a lot since going back to the call centre. I'm such a chicken!

Edited by Paws]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:54:56 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534752&title=work-home-life-balance#534752 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534750&title=work-home-life-balance#534750 Author: Brenna
Subject: 22176
Posted: 03 November 2008 at 6:52pm

Hugs! Being a full time working mum is hard work!Can you try part-time for a while with the option of going back to full time if you're not enjoying it? ]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:52:47 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534750&title=work-home-life-balance#534750 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534746&title=work-home-life-balance#534746 Author: Paws
Subject: 22176
Posted: 03 November 2008 at 6:49pm

Sorry all but I kinda had to post this somewhere. I know no one can make a decision for me, a lot of this is really talking out loud though any thoughts would be appreciated!

I recently had just over 6 weeks off work on sick leave and only went back 2 weeks ago on a graduated return. One good result is that I got taken off the horrible shifts I was doing (starting work at 3.30am) and I'm now on our full time day roster so I only work Monday to Friday with weekends and public holidays off.

The problem is now I'm kinda feeling like I want to be home more. Work part time, have Maddie in day care part time and be home the rest of the time.

I'm kind of confronted with a couple of problems though. The big one of course is the drop in money. Wouldn't be pleasant even with Maddie's reduced day care hours.

But also Maddie adores day care so would she be happy at home?

And I was relieved to get back to work a year ago and felt like I wasn't cut out to be at home so why do I think a second try would be any different??

I really don't know what I should do!!!!???

Does anyone have any thoughts?]]> Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:49:02 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22176&PID=534746&title=work-home-life-balance#534746