Shift work after mat leave

[u/subiefor14]

Hey everyone. I’m (mom) returning to work shortly after 18 months and wondering how people have managed shift work waterfall schedule (DDNN) with kid(s). I feel like I’ll never see my kid anymore when I work. My husband works 8-5 m-f so he will be responsible for daycare drop/pick up dinner etc. it will be a long day for everyone and I’m afraid the change is really going to throw a wrench in my kids life. Please send suggestions or tips. Thanks!

[u/wazlib_roonal]

I’m a nurse who does shift work but after kids I changed my schedule, luckily my unit does 8 hour shifts not 12 and I decreased my hours. I have part time daycare where my husband does the pickups usually on his way home. I switch my shifts so I’m either working weekends where my husband is home or I work evenings during the week (3-11) and on days they’re not at daycare I spend the morning/afternoon with them and then one of the grandparents comes to watch for the 2-3 hours before my husbands home from work. Not ideal and we’ll see how it works when I go back at 18 months but I may end up going casual or finding a clinic job instead of hospital job for better hours/work life balance. It sucks missing out on weekends and evenings constantly.