It was horrible. My 4-4 schedule was happening when my 1st was a baby. We did what we had to do but it was a burden on my wife and me. We were basically ships passing in the night during the week.
See, I'd like that schedule better than working typical day hours. I'm currently working a grave shift, 6 pm to 6 am, and I prefer that much more than day shift. I think 6-6 is a little better than 4-4, because you got a couple more afternoon hours to pick up kids from school and see the family, etc. But I could definitely make 4-4 work well for me.
That's not right. This is not good for kids. Not good for health. Not good for family relationships.
It's funny though. A lot depends on one's outlook and personal situation. I find working odd hours, and many times one day of the weekend, can be better for kids and family life. I can pick them up from school, take them if I have to, and attend other school events, for example. Things I might not be able to do on a regular day time week day schedule. Sometimes you might have to miss things, but it balances out with times you're available. Plus, having 3 to 4 days off a week is HUGE in my book.
The most burned out I ever got from work was the 3 years I worked as a detective. At the time, we were scheduled a typical 5/8 schedule with an unpaid lunch, like many working stiffs. I had weekends off, but it was only 2 days and I was used to 3 to 4 days off on shift work. Then, add to that, we were basically on call 24/7, and we're not really compensated appropriately for that burden and responsibility. Many times, it seemed like almost every weekend in the summer times, we'd get called out at night for a major crime and then end up working through the weekend, only to start all over again. Even when you're not called out on a given week, the burden and responsibly of always being on call definitely burned me out. I couldn't hardly have an alcoholic drink when off duty. I couldn't hardly really travel anywhere unless I was on an actual vacation. Speaking of vacations, three times while on a preapproved vacation, I was called out to crime scenes. Once I didn't have to go, as I was literally on the slopes in Tahoe, and the case wasn't a murder. The other two times I was on vacation, but in town, and had to respond to process murder scenes. It was an overall great experience in my career, but I have no desire to do it again. And that is entirely due to the working conditions that burned me out.
I can work more hours per week doing 12-hour graveyard patrol shifts than I worked as a detective and feel much more balanced in a work / life equilibrium. Longer days with more days off, and no burden of being on call 24/7 makes all the difference.
I worked graveyard shift when my kids were really little. 10pm to 6 am, plus a fair amount of OT. I got to get them up in the morning, go on field trips with them in preschool and elementary, spend time in the evening, etc. It was pretty good.
^^^Exactly!
