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

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I'm most likely going back to school and right now I have a flexible 9-5 type job. I have one little girl and am planning on #2 after school. I love my flexible 9-5 schedule, but also desire more days off. I'm just curious as a parent, what schedule do you prefer? Did nights seem to work best for you or did days? Also, did it change as your children grew up? I know everyone is different, but I'm just really trying to gather different perspectives from parents. Thanks!

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.:)

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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.

:D love it.

by the way, i actually pm'ed you yesterday b/c i saw a post of yours about why you became a L&D nurse. i don't know if you got it b/c it says i have no sent messages in my pm box ??????

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
:D love it.

by the way, i actually pm'ed you yesterday b/c i saw a post of yours about why you became a L&D nurse. i don't know if you got it b/c it says i have no sent messages in my pm box ??????

I did get it! I promise I will sit down and compose a thoughtful response to you when I have more than five minutes here or there. :)

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I did get it! I promise I will sit down and compose a thoughtful response to you when I have more than five minutes here or there. :)

Oh, no hurry!!!! I just assumed my pm's weren't working. I thought it was funny that you replied to this message, b/c I was thinking a lot about your reply to that other thread. I felt like your reply to that thread could have been written by me (except I'm not a nurse yet :cool:)

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

Ive done 12's and 8's. As a parent I prefer 8's. I work 11p-7a and I love it. Ive worked nights for 3 years now by choice.

12's your WHOLE DAY/NIGHT is sucked up into work, I did not see my kids at all on those days and it takes about a day to recover it seems---it never really seemed I had 4 days off a week honestly, where I worked they didn't give you 4 in a row off. With 8's I wake up around 4pm and have 6 hours before I have to go to work.....so we are able to do stuff together even on the nights that I work, and Im not as tired at all.

I prefer nights (and Im a night owl, so night shift is no big deal for me) because I can do stuff during the day if I have to without taking off any time from work (Dr appts, school stuff, etc). I really like the flexibility, plus night shift IS more laid back and you get paid more.

BUT some people just can not do nights at all, so if your just not a night owl it probably wont work for you.

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Specializes in LTC.

I am a mother of five and working nights has been the easiest for my family. No worries about child care bc there is always one parent home with the kids. The only thing I dislike about night shift is not sleeping at the same time with my husband...we both always looked forward to nights off. I work days now, and I love it, but its a hassle making sure I have someone lined up to look after the kids. I have a lot of family nearby and they help out a lot, but if no one is availabe, then my husband stays home. He has a very flexible job, he kind of makes his own hours. I work 3 or 4 12hr shifts a week, on the days I work, he works only 6hrs so the kids are not with family all day. On my off days, he will make up the hours. And like I said, he has stayed home if no one can watch the kids. But I have a feeling that nights are in my future, I am the newbie at work, and rumor has it someone on nights is leaving and I will be one taking her spot. But I like the 12hr shifts and nights...I am so not a morning person!!!:lol2:

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Specializes in Med/Tele, Home Health, Case Management.

Right out of school, I worked 7p -7a three shifts a week. After getting adjusted, I enjoyed night shift. Like someone else said, there is less traffic, no dietary, less visitors and mist patients sleep. I currently work M-F days in home health and enjoy it. My hours are flexible and I can attend my kids' school activities. I do miss the 3 day work week but not the 12+ hour shifts.

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