The office is closed on Fridays? is a post on The Hickensian

This line in my contact details often raises a smirk, usually combined with a sarcastic “Enjoy your day off”. The word ‘Part Timer’ is inferred, but never uttered.

So why is this? Do I just work a 4 day week? I wish it were true!

When I first took the plunge to go freelance, there was one thing driving it. Samantha had been born 6 months previously, and Leigh’s maternity leave was nearing an end. She managed to get a 4 day week so that she could look after Samantha on a Thursday, but we still didn’t want her seeing more of nursery than of us. Nursery is a great environment, they learn social skills, have more riotous fun than they could at home, and pick up enough illnesses to make their immune systems as tough as old boots by the time they start school. However, Nursery is not a parent.

I had been thinking about freelancing for a while, but this was the catalyst. So the plan was hatched – going freelance would give me the flexibility to help out. Originally I had Samantha for 2 days a week, but the work just wasn’t getting done, even though I was working weekends. After a few months, we settled in a routine of Mummy on a Thursday, Daddy on a Friday, and work weekends/evenings to make up time.

So there you go. If you’ve ever wondered what I do myself on my day off, I’m looking after the wee ones, a 2 year old and 4 year old and its a rewarding time without a doubt.