The story so far...

The story so far I am a 36 year old, very happily married father of two. My wife , SJ and I are childhood sweethearts, meeting 20 years ago. We soon realised that our aspirations were similar, to make our own ways in life, enjoy each others company and to start our own family. We're both from similar working class backgrounds where family values are held in the highest regard. We left school and, bar a year in college, started work pretty much straigh-away, I in a bank and SJ in hair-dressing. In 1999 SJ and I bought our fist place together, a two bedroom flat in Kent. We spent months rennovating and decorating the place before moving in. SJ was now working for a building society and as such we were afforded preferential mortgage rates, something which proved invaulable in the 90's as rates soared beyond 15%. We spent the next five or so years at the flat and sold up to move to a house a little nearer to London. In '94 I left the bank and joined my current employer, a City lawfirm, as an IT Heldesk Operator. We moved house and began trying for a baby in addition to reonnovating the house (it hadn't been touched much since it was built eighty years ago). In '96, on New Years eve, SJ suffered a devastating miscarriage. This is not something we expected and were at no greater risk than anyone else and it took a while for us both to come to terms with it and begin thiking about planning for another child. The time did come however and after a short while SJ fell pregnant again. After the usual period, and taking maternity leave from the moment it was allowed, SJ gave birth to a bouncing 9lbs 10oz baby girl, JT, by ceasarian section (no surprise at that size I suppose).

The next few years we challenging, brining up our new baby daughter, rennovating the house and living on one salary. However, I managed to progress at work with enough pace to keep our heads above water and enjoy life. We maintained a reasonably new car, had holidays in France and Spain and extended the house.

In 1999, Bambi joined us at a far more acceptable weight, just over 7lbs. Since then we have lived a very fortunate life and SJ stayed at home with the girls throughout their early school years.

In 2004 SJ returned to work. The children were now at full-time school and she felt the need to get back into the work regime of additional responsibilites and relationships. SJ took a part-time position at a local solicitors firm and I negotiated to work from home one day a week in order to be there for the children. SJs mum kindly took the reminader of the responisbilties, collecting the children from schoool two afternoons per week.

Over the last few years I felt there must be more to my life than a working week and weekends with the family. This has became especially poignant after both SJs mum and my dad were diagnosed with cancer in their 50s. Thankfully, both have been given the all clear now but its has been a long road for us all. In 2006 I began to think more seriously about work-life balance. I have enjoyed the freedome that working at home one day a week has given us and wanted to take this to the next level. My firm, and in particular my manager, have been extremley supportive and I could not wish to work for a more forward thinking and fair employer, especially when it comes to diversity. After spending a deal of time considering the options, SJ and I agreed that we could manage on a reduced income and still live a reasonably comfortable lifestyle. I set about my application with my employer and making adjustments and chages to our outgoings. Out went the cable TV, the broadband link was reduced, the second car went, the utlities switched where possible and our budget scrutinised. I continue to try and find more cost effective alternatives and reduce our living expenses to a minimum so that we have the most amount of disposable income possible. I now work three days a week and have a four day weekend. SJ is working ten days a month so we can now share the responsbilities of life more evenly. In these blogs I intend to keep an account of how I spend the two extra days I have have been afforded so as to help keep a mind on why we made these changes. In the early weeks they are likely to be taken up with catching up on chores and DIY tasks but as the weeks progress I hope to make some real lifestyle changes.

The way I look at is that I have been given four days a week to enjoy with my wife and family and I don't intend to waste them.