Parents who are home by 5-6pm from work - what do you do?

[Anonymous]

I work at a university in communications/marketing. When I was offered a raise/promotion, I negotiated to leave every day at 4:30. I do get back online most days/sometimes on the weekend in the evening, and I definitely work more than 40 hours/week, but I leave on the dot at 4:30, every day. My commute is 45 minutes. I pick up kids at daycare/after care between 5:15 and 5:30, most days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - interesting responses. DH is in big law and obviously makes a lot of money ($400K) but works a lot.

My sister and her husband both work long crazy hours, although someone is usually home at night with the kids. My BIL travels (IT sales) usually 3-4 days a week and my sister drives A LOT (also IT sales) 1-3 times a week. They have a 5 and 7 year old and will probably have a full time nanny until their oldest can stay home by herself and reasonably watch the younger one. But they both make a lot of money (HHI around $700k).

I work from home and have very normal hours (8:30-5pm) but I make very little ($65K).

Shorter OP:

"My husband works in a profession renowned for its long demanding hours. But, I see other people don't have those hours! How can this be? "I am constantly surprised" when people who don't have that same demanding job make it home by 6 - can someone explain this to me?"

Good grief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wake up at 5 to get to work by 6 and leave at 3. I typically get home by 3:50. It’s a grind, that’s for sure!!

Are you a man or woman? I can’t imagine getting ready for work that quickly.

[Anonymous]

We all make choices in life. If your DH and you choose to have him working 12 hour days on the regular, then that's on you. A LOT of people are not choosing the same.

For me, I choose not to do extra work on evenings or weekends, unless it's an emergency. I will put in my 40 hours then I want to be done of it.

Overworking is not healthy.

[Anonymous]

I work 4 miles from home and telework some days. So I am home by 5pm most days. Single parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work 4 miles from home and telework some days. So I am home by 5pm most days. Single parent.

oops didn't specify -- federal job

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - interesting responses. DH is in big law and obviously makes a lot of money ($400K) but works a lot.

My sister and her husband both work long crazy hours, although someone is usually home at night with the kids. My BIL travels (IT sales) usually 3-4 days a week and my sister drives A LOT (also IT sales) 1-3 times a week. They have a 5 and 7 year old and will probably have a full time nanny until their oldest can stay home by herself and reasonably watch the younger one. But they both make a lot of money (HHI around $700k).

I work from home and have very normal hours (8:30-5pm) but I make very little ($65K).

Shorter OP:

"My husband works in a profession renowned for its long demanding hours. But, I see other people don't have those hours! How can this be? "I am constantly surprised" when people who don't have that same demanding job make it home by 6 - can someone explain this to me?"

Good grief.

EXACTLY.

[Anonymous]

We both work 8:30 - 4:30 with a 30-40 minute commute.

[Anonymous]

At least OP's DH gets paid for long hours. Most people only get paid for 8 hours of work and work more.

[Anonymous]

I work from home ($100K). My husband works close to home ($120K). I'm always here when the kids get home. My husband gets home generally by 6PM.

It's really all about setting a priority in your life. Could we both work more? Sure! Always. But there has to be a commitment to family time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wake up at 5 to get to work by 6 and leave at 3. I typically get home by 3:50. It’s a grind, that’s for sure!!

Are you a man or woman? I can’t imagine getting ready for work that quickly.

I am not the PP but I get up at 5 and leave at 525. I make my lunch the night before and lay my clothes out the night before. I shower before work but do not wear makeup. I let the dog out for a quick pee then get my stuff out of the fridge and leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Every day I am grateful I didn't go to law school.

I am a lawyer. I work mostly from home and mostly only the hours my kids are at school. I don't make a ton of money, but still six figures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - interesting responses. DH is in big law and obviously makes a lot of money ($400K) but works a lot.

My sister and her husband both work long crazy hours, although someone is usually home at night with the kids. My BIL travels (IT sales) usually 3-4 days a week and my sister drives A LOT (also IT sales) 1-3 times a week. They have a 5 and 7 year old and will probably have a full time nanny until their oldest can stay home by herself and reasonably watch the younger one. But they both make a lot of money (HHI around $700k).

I work from home and have very normal hours (8:30-5pm) but I make very little ($65K).

Shorter OP:

"My husband works in a profession renowned for its long demanding hours. But, I see other people don't have those hours! How can this be? "I am constantly surprised" when people who don't have that same demanding job make it home by 6 - can someone explain this to me?"

Good grief.

EXACTLY.

A BIG +1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wake up at 5 to get to work by 6 and leave at 3. I typically get home by 3:50. It’s a grind, that’s for sure!!

Are you a man or woman? I can’t imagine getting ready for work that quickly.

Haha yeah -- it's all about streamlining your morning. I'm a woman and get up at 6:30. I'm out the door by 6:50. I shower and pack DD's lunch the night before, so all I have to do in the morning is get dressed (I put my clothes out the night before), wash my face, brush my teeth, put on makeup (5 min routine) and put DD's lunch in her bag so DH can grab it when he leaves with her later in the morning.

[Anonymous]

If DH makes $400 you should be able to afford a Nanny/housekeeper to watch your kids in the evening and make dinner.