https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:22:00 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2423193 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 09:59:10 +0000 snowjewelz 2423193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I'm super busy I usually just work through lunch... I work from like 9-5:45 most days. There def have been times when I had no choice but to OT; thankfully DH can usually hang in there with DD. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2423108 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 09:14:10 +0000 Mama Bird 2423108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm scared of dealing with this when I go back to work! It's looking like DH will need to come home late three nights a week again, so I'll have a hard time even putting in regular hours because I'll need to leave at 4:45 to make day care pickup. Plus we have a lot of jobs currently that run on weekends, and I'm afraid at some point they'll run out of willing staff and start pressuring everyone into covering them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2423101 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 09:08:53 +0000 Mrs D 2423101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetCaroline: I agree...I am always at my desk by 7:30am...so I feel not a shred of guilt when I walk out at 5pm sharp (most days). I think the trust component is HUGE too...my boss knows if she asks me to get something done I will make necessary sacrifices (i.e. miss bedtime or burn the midnight oil) - I also know that she will not raise the alarm unless it truly needs to be done. So I respect and trust that if she asks - it truly is important...and she respects that if she asks I will get it done and she doesnt need to micro manage.</p> <p>We work for a man who I have worked for in the past - and have built a similar trust with. He knows my rules 1) value my time and 2) dont spin yours or someone elses wheels if I can help. He lives in China now - I have received 3 or 4 calls from him literally in the middle of the night. The first time he was floored I answered...my response "well I figure if you are calling at 3am you NEED me"...he has never abused it once...as I said he has called 2 or 3 other times at those hours and I always get up to help. He has never questioned when or how I work ever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2423058 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 08:38:14 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2423058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boogs: basically the same situation here. Dh is only home to sleep and not even a full night for the most part. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2423056 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 08:36:57 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2423056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nervous about this for when I start working although if things work out the way we want I'll soon be working for family! Dh on the other hand has to work OT almost every day. Sometimes less than five or six hours between shifts but usually he works 13-14 hours instead of 12. He gets no say in it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2423041 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 08:26:51 +0000 Pumuckl 2423041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do but I am lucky that I a.) don't work FT and b.) I can work from home and the kids are in daycare until 5pm so usually we're covered. Also my DH having lots of flexibility is so important on those days were I have to travel.</p> <p>@math.nerd: I love your "rules" they make total sense! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2423031 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 08:15:16 +0000 MOMTOLITTLEB 2423031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Usually a couple hours a week, more in the fall when I'm really busy. I'm compensated for it with either time or extra pay so it's not too bad. It will only be a problem if we're both crazy busy at the same time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2423008 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 07:41:10 +0000 looch 2423008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am not supposed to charge for more than 40 hours, so I try not to (some weeks it's unavoidable). But, I do work weekends here and there and I'll get comp hours later in the month.</p> <p>I don't have to worry because my parents are my son's before and after care, so during the week if we are going to be late, he just stays with them an hour or two longer. On the weekends when one of us has to work we're covered, but if it happens we both have to work, we again rely on my parents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2423007 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 07:41:05 +0000 Finfan 2423007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe a few times a year I work OT, but usually I just shift my schedule if we have an event or something that requires me to change my hours. I am able to get my actual paperwork done in 40 hours almost always and the culture at my job is to leave at 5. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2422996 Fri, 15 Jan 2016 07:23:09 +0000 GrapeCrush 2422996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. I put in a few hours a week to help out another department in my office. I either go in an hour early, or work after the kids go to bed or during nap time/bedtime on the weekends. I usually only do about 5-10hrs a week. And it's all from home(except when I go in early) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2421123 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 22:25:24 +0000 catomd00 2421123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have no problem working after hours at home on occasion. I'll come in early or stay late for important meetings but I have no problem saying sorry can't do it after 5 unless it's a high level exec. Luckily my boss gets it and is very respectful of my family life and responsibilities. Petty lucky considering he's a single dude in his mid 20s! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2421110 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 22:16:11 +0000 Boogs 2421110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't since I'm the SAHP, but DH does. When that happens, it means several days in a row of solo parenting for me. It sucks, but it's part why I don't have a job, it's a lot to juggle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2421075 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 21:54:41 +0000 SweetCaroline 2421075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: @math.nerd: fellow CPA here (in industry now) :grin: </p> <p>@regberadaisy: its tough. I give myself guidelines like @math.nerd: I always leave on time on Fridays UNLESS working late means I don't have to do it on the weekend. </p> <p>I bust ass to get into the office early so I can put my kid to bed. If I do miss her bedtime, I take full advantage of that evening and burn the midnight oil, to minimize missing more bedtimes. DH is incredibly supportive and I have a daycare I love. This helps. </p> <p>If I wasn't on my phone, I'd say more. I'm pretty passionate about this subject, as long hours are hard to escape in my industry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2421068 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 21:50:03 +0000 Littlebit 2421068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe once a month or so? Just depends on my deadlines. But I usually get to do it at home, after my son is in bed. So not too bad! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2421048 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 21:36:58 +0000 yellowbird 2421048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never work OT! I am usually finished 30mins-1hr early everyday. I feel guilty sometimes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2421038 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 21:28:42 +0000 DillonLion 2421038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Almost never, and I'm glad. Full time is more than enough combined with my disgusting commute. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2421009 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:47:54 +0000 Mrs D 2421009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@math.nerd: I gave 6 years of myself to public accounting so I totally feel your pain!! Good luck this season. I think the most important thing for me during those years was always working for a partner who understood quality vs quantity of time spent on a job. I despised people who worked until 2am just bc they felt they needed to bill more. Thank God my partner was a morning person...he knew I was the first one there each day (5am was my norm when I had my large accelerated filer) and never once questioned when I was the first to leave at 9pm. He knew id meet my deadlines and that was that!</p> <p>Now - it too in my current job (assist controller) is my boss who makes it all possible. We are in the midst of 80 hr work weeks and she doesn't mind that I leave at 6 to see K a bit before bed at 7....then I log back on from home after she goes to bed.</p> <p>I frequently have odd hour conf calls - which I am fortunate to be able to take from home. I guess my keys to making it work are 1) building up trust with my boss(es), 2) flexible ability to work from home and 3) having a home office so I can work well here! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2421004 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:42:09 +0000 FaithFertility 2421004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Everyday! I'm at work 45-1hr early every day and work at home almost daily...<br /> I get no OT pay,.,.</p> <p>What job is that you might ask!?<br /> A teacher!!!! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2420996 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:37:28 +0000 Eko 2420996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work in a law firm and OT is a naturally part of the job. We do have a busy season that's similar to tax season but there is a lot of unpredictable busyness too. DH does our daycare drop offs and pickups and he has long hours. He is gone from the house 6:30-6:30. So I can still work OT and be away for the same amount of time. During busy season I do work some weekends, but the money is really good and helps our family a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2420915 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 19:30:48 +0000 math.nerd 2420915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: Unfortunately, I can't work from home. Hopefully that will change some day! I'm also so lucky to have a wonderful partner who does so much hands-on parenting and is so understanding of the time I have to spend away.</p> <p>I also try to remind myself that I really do love my job and that I'm a better mother because I'm working, because it brings me joy (most of the time). So, it makes it a little less painful to be away (sometimes). :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2420903 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 19:23:25 +0000 regberadaisy 2420903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@math.nerd: I do not envy the crazy work schedule you have coming up! Are you able to work remotely from home at all? That way you don't have to miss dinner and bedtime but can still put time in?</p> <p>Your schedule makes a lot of sense! Thankfully, the partners are understanding about family life. And they're glad when people step up to put in OT. So they're not picky about whether I put time in the office or at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2420899 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 19:20:01 +0000 math.nerd 2420899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This issue is hanging over my head at the moment. I'm a CPA, so I'm getting ready for our busy season.</p> <p>I know that OT is a huge part of my job this time of year, so I'm just trying to be really prepared. I have in my head my priorities of what I still need to feel like a good parent and a good employee. So for me, I know that I'm going to miss some bedtimes and some morning wake ups - but my deal with myself is that I'll never miss two in a row. Either I'll be home for bedtime or I'll not go into the office until after my son gets up for the day. And if I miss bedtime the night before, I'll be sure to be there when he wakes up. Or if I leave before he gets up, I'll be home before bed. Those are my rules for myself.</p> <p>If I go into it knowing what compromises I'm willing to make as a parent, and which I'm not, it helps me gauge how to wisely spend my OT time. I'll have to get up really early in the mornings the days that I come in early to make up the extra time I'm going to want to be at home, but that's the sacrifice I'm willing to make in order to keep up the time at home that I want.</p> <p>I'm not sure if this is totally helpful because my OT is more predictable, but I do think that getting a handle what's most most most important to you as a parent is helpful when you are confronted with making choices. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/so-you-work-ot-at-all#post-2420886 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 19:10:29 +0000 regberadaisy 2420886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How does that work with being a parent?</p> <p>I generally work a very strict 7:20-4:20 schedule and my "extra effort" is usually taking a short 20 minute lunch when I get an hour.<br /> But sometimes we have a big deadline and the partners will ask us if we're able to put in OT. I usually want to try my best because I'm vested in the project. I'm not able to stay late so I'll usually put some time in remotely from home.</p> <p>How do you balance the requests for OT with parenting? </p>