If you are a parent, what type of schedule do you like having?

I like 3/12

I liked working nights, it allowed me to be able to do stuff during the day. In my most recent job I was working med/surg unit where I had 5 days off in a row every other week, that was really nice. As with anything there are pros and cons. Pros: No traffic at night, time off during the day to run errands/pick up kids, pay differential for nights. Cons: Your shift is the opposite that of your spouse (you don't sleep together on the nights you work), you don't feel well rested because your sleep is broken up during the day (I would sleep for about 4-5 hours then get up to make dinner, go back to sleep for a couple hours before work).

It's a trade off really. I really enjoyed working nights, but now I'm looking for something a little more 8-5 Mon-Fri and get out of the shift work. My kids are older too, so I don't have to cater as much to them, they are able to take care of themselves.

Good luck in nursing school!

I have been a stay at home mom for almost 7 years. My children are a little older now, so I was ready to get back into nursing again. I'm going to be starting a per diem job in a few weeks! :) I was lucky enough to find a hospital that offers both 8 and 12 hour shifts. My plan is to stick mainly to 3-11 shifts during the week. This way, I can leave the kids with my mother for a few hours until my husband gets home from work. On weekends and holidays, my husband is home, so I have more flexibility on those days. That's one of the huge perks of nursing, IMO. Lots of flexibility in scheduling.

Good luck!

I like nights. I have a 7,5, and 18 month old. if I work days I leave before they get up and get home usually right after they go to bed....or just as they are going to bed. I do not like going a day without seeing them. Working nights lets me have a few hours in a day to see them. And you figure with a "normal" working schedule most people pick their kids up after work, so like 5;30-6p and then put them to bed between 8-9p. They're only seeing heir kids for a few hours too. It really depends on what you can get. Sometimes it's just trial and error to see what works best for you.

I'm really enjoying everyones comments. It is very helpful!

shmily914, is your 18 month old in daycare? if she is at home with you, when do you sleep? I am assuming your other 2 are in school. Thanks!!

Aeryn is in daycare and at home. I get off at 7am, so my husband takes her to daycare and I pick her up on my way home. I take a nap with her and then get up to get the boys from school. If I have to work back to back shifts I leave Aeryn at daycare so I can get some sleep and then just pick her up when I get the boys from school. On my days off she's with me all day. It's been working so far

I have a 3 year old. I work 3pm-11pm every other tuesday, sat and sunday. It works well because my MIL watches her for a few hours every other tuesday and then my husband the rest of the time. The downs side is I only work 24 hours every 2 weeks so my paycheck is sad. On the plus side I can stay in the nursing field and donot have to use a babysiter.

I work weekend days per diem. My husband watches the boys.

We do not have to pay for childcare, my husband gained great childcare skills from babyhood on, and my schedule is flexible enough so if I need to pick up extra work, or take a little time off, I can.

I work Mon-Fri, 8am-4:30p in Home health care. I can take days or rearrange my schedule to be off to see my kids sports, plays, run to Dr.' Dentist appointments or take sick days. I :redbeathe this schedule since I have 3 extremely active kids. (8yrs-12yrs-14yrs).

My only other experience with schedules, was working at a hospital doing 7a-7p and rotating 7p-7a shifts. I did that for over 2.5yrs. Hated those hrs with a passion. I loved the job itself, however sleep deprivation wasn't worth keeping it. When the home health care job came up, I left without a thought.

I have a 16 month old, and work 6:30a-7P, 2 days a week. I'm only part time, but have plenty of opprotunity to pick up extra hours. I love being home with her all the other days of the week, we have plenty of time to do things. But it does make daycare hard. My husband and I used to work opposite days, so we didn't have to worry about it. But now he works a regular M-F job. We have a family member watching her right now, but not sure how long it's going to last.

It's hard to find part time daycare, when your days are not the same each week.

That's a hard question to answer. I've worked lots of different shifts - 7p-7a, 7a-7p, and 11a-11p. Each has its drawbacks and benefits. Working nights is nice because you can have dinner with them. Working days is nice because you're there to tuck them in at night. Working evenings is nice because you can see them off to school in the mornings. But you're always going to miss something.

My ideal schedule would be to work 9a-3p, three days a week, and get paid for 40 hours a week with shift differential. Alas, nobody has offered that to me yet.

Regardless of which shift, I don't think I would ever want to go back to 5 shifts a week. That's for the birds.

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate everyone's replies. My biggest struggle with making the change is the unknown!! And the schedule/family thing! I have it pretty good right now, but I do not have job satisfaction. These posts really help.:)