If your child is in primary school, you might assume working reduced hours is temporary. But as many parents discover, the demands don't ease when they enter secondary school.
Reducing work hours has become increasingly common among parents whose children transition to secondary school. A few years ago, the prevailing belief was that independence would follow primary school. Reality, however, shows otherwise. Secondary students often still require significant parental support, especially during puberty.
Every child is unique—some navigate secondary school effortlessly, while most benefit from extra guidance. As an experienced parent and writer on family dynamics (including my previous article on 'learning to learn'), I've seen how this shift demands more family time. Evenings that once felt free now revolve around homework and support.
For instance, my son, in his final primary year, now spends more evenings with us than our younger daughter. With both my husband and me sharing responsibilities—and still handling evening work after homework—time feels stretched. Running my own business, cutting hours isn't straightforward, but prioritizing family support during this pivotal phase is essential. Personal downtime? That can wait a few more years.
What about you? Do you plan to scale back work, or expect your teen to manage independently? If considering reduced hours, explore your legal entitlements to make an informed decision.
