Working Mom Check In

ramfan05

Happy Friday, friends! We made it through the first week back after the holidays! How did it go?

Successes/Celebrations:

Struggles/Challenges:

Me time/Family time:

Weekend Plans:

Anything new you are trying to make your life a little simpler since getting back into your routine? Or are you just continuing on with the way things were going before?

et170322

Hi all! Ugh, this has been the week back from hell

Successes/Celebrations: I only have 4 hours left in my first week back full-time since LO was born.

Struggles/Challenges: I was able to work 3-4 days a week for the last several months, and now I'm back to working 5 days/week for tax season. I should be grateful that I'm not working hours like I have during previous tax seasons, and that I don't have to work overtime, but instead I just keep thinking that LO is growing up without me. Two weekend days with her just don't seem to be enough Also, DH gets her ready in the morning when I'm getting ready, so they bond at her happiest time of day. I get her when she's more tired at night, I'm the feeding/bathing/bedtime lady. LO now reaches for and babbles to DH when she sees him, and she's quieter around me. Breaks my heart

Me time/Family time: I have committed myself to getting in activity every day, even in for half an hour. I did gentle yoga over my lunch break Tuesday and Wednesday, and Monday and Thursday nights after LO went to sleep I walked for half an hour on the treadmill while watching Once Upon a Time on Netflix.

Weekend Plans: Spend as much time as I can with LO and DH, and clean catboxes that have sadly been neglected.

Anything new you are trying to make your life a little simpler since getting back into your routine? Or are you just continuing on with the way things were going before? Hmm, simpler: I am in the process of transitioning LO to WCM, so I think I am going to cut pumping down to 2x/day, yay! I'm also trying to put off all of the unnecessary to-dos until the weekend, so I get as much time as possible with family on week nights. I am horrible about puttering and cleaning when I'm home from work, but I'm trying to make a conscious effort to either do it while pumping after LO is asleep, or put it off until Saturday.

hammysmommy

I'm going to have to try to answer this tonight from home... I opened it 2 hrs ago but then s*it got busy at work and I couldn't do diddly for fun... :-(

hammysmommy

Okay, so bumping from home over the weekend didn't happen.  :-(

First week back after the holidays! How did it go? It went alright, though I wasn't fully in groove... I had Monday off because my mom was up from FL and was flying back Tuesday (ended up staying until this past Saturday, but hey, I got an extra day off of work!)

Successes/Celebrations:  I'm finally feeling better, and so is babyG!  We've been sick since the first week of December so it's nice that he's finally not having coughing/snotty-nose fits in the MOTN... And that I have an audible voice that doesn't feel like I'm gargling razor-sharp pieces of glass...  Also, I managed to get babyG to daycare Thursday without being late to work!

Struggles/Challenges:  Staying focused at work.  And still struggling with mornings - i.e. getting out of the house.  H was being helpful, but lately has been grumbling when DSD or I wake him before 730am...  Which is not helpful.  I am not the only parent, and DSD is only 12.  She has slept through her alarm twice in the past month, and it would be nice if all I had to do in the morning was wake up, get myself and babyG ready, and he could take ownership for making sure she's awake (she does the rest herself), but that seems out of his realm of acceptability...

Me time/Family time: My mom was up from Florida from 12/25-1/10.  We had family (minus husbands) pictures on 12/30, and then she spent 12/30-1/3 at my house (spent the rest with my sister and 2 nieces).  We didn't have much in the way of family time last week.  Monday I was off of work, but H took that to mean that daddy daycare got the day off (I had been hoping for a haircut...).  Friday my mom, sister and youngest niece came up to my work for lunch, and that was great.

Weekend Plans: We had none but the Patriots' game.  I'd hoped (in vain again) to get a haircut, but maybe next week... (it's only been 7 months....)

Anything new...? Or are you just continuing on with the way things were going before? Well, daddy daycare is Mon-Wed, regular dc is Th&Fri.  Theoretically, I should be able to get out the door easier on daddy daycare days (since not dropping off babyG), but we're still working it out (see above about grumbling H).

dizzycooks

Successes/Celebrations:  I managed to pump a bottle each day for dd which has been an on-going struggle so I was pleased with that.  We also made it out the door on time every day and I wasn't late to work.

Struggles/Challenges: Getting back in the habit of putting the girls to bed earlier and not seeing them as much has been hard.  I want to play and chat and do stuff with them, but really we need to eat and go to bed.

Me time/Family time: I managed to work out during dd1s dance class and then one more time during the week.  Not crazy workouts, but I did do something at least.  

Weekend Plans: DD1 had her bday party so there was lots of planning/cleaning/preparing for that.  Ils were in town which went surprisingly well.

Anything new you are trying to make your life a little simpler since getting back into your routine? Or are you just continuing on with the way things were going before? Nothing new other than a new set of activities for winter.  That has kind of tossed my schedule out the window, but we are adjusting.  I am trying to stay on top of chores by doing them in the evening, but I am discovering that means I don't get any down time and my grading never gets done.  Both are bad things so I don't know how long that will last.

ramfan05

I'm so sorry I posted this last Friday and never made it back! Work has been so crazy, and when I've had time at home, I've been trying to step away from the computer and play with the kids more. 

@et170322, I completely understand about feeling like you don't have enough time with your baby. It's so tough to balance work and family. After tax season, will things go back to normal for you?

@dnmolakides, I'm going to address dinner in another post...stay tuned!

@katybriggs, I'm going to try to PM you later today (really, really try!) If I don't, yell at me in the randoms or something to remind me! I've been through what you are going through with DH right now, and it is so hard and so stressful. ((hugs))

@hammysmommy, sounds like you got to have a nice, long visit with your mom! Glad you had some good time with family during the holidays. It's so hard getting back in the swing of things!

@greenbunny79, I feel like that about the weekends, too. I really wish that I could be a SAHM. If we could afford it, I would do it in a heartbeat. If your boss won't let you go part time, will you look for another job?

@CiaoMama, yoga at lunch sounds lovely! I think I might start trying to walk during lunch again, when the sidewalks are clear. It won't be far, because I only end up with about 20-30 minutes once my kids are through the lunch line, but if I walk the sidewalk all the way out around the end of the playground and back to the front of the school, it's a mile which is better than nothing! It just feels so good to move a little in the middle of the day!

Whew! I'll try to keep up better this Friday!

ramfan05

Okay, @dnmolakides, dinner.

Before my break during the holidays, I was so stressed getting home from work. I can leave at 4 but was never leaving until 4:30, getting home between 5 and 5:15 and needing dinner done by 6 so we could eat, give baths, and get the kids to bed. There was no time for playing or anything fun with the kids because I'd come in and drop everything to start dinner. Here's what I'm doing now:

1. On Saturday, I go grocery shopping. I meal plan before this so I know what I need. While making my meal plan, I also make a meal prep plan for the weekend. It usually involves cleaning fruit and chopping veggies for salad for the week on Saturday, as well as making something for lunch for the week on Saturday (last week it was quinoa salad, this week it is chicken salad). On Sunday, I prep all of the meals for the week. Cook anything I can ahead of time (rice, pasta), chop any veggies that will be needed and put them in ziploc bags labeled with the day I will use them. 

DS has started swimming lessons two nights a week, so we get home at 6. Those nights are always crock pot nights. We all walk in at 6 and dinner is ready to eat. The leftovers get put in a gallon ziploc for the freezer. One night a week, we have a freezer meal from my stash. I can defrost it in the fridge the day before, and just need to reheat when I get home. I have also done a night or two a week where I make a casserole. I prep it on the weekend and store it in the fridge in the casserole dish. The night of, I add the sauce (also already prepped and in a container so I just have to dump it in) and stick it in the oven. Fridays are always breakfast for dinner, so we make pancakes, waffles, scrambled eggs, etc. DS usually just helps me in the kitchen those nights while DD plays in the kitchen or in her high chair. 

I've only done this for a couple of weeks so far. The first weekend was tough because I didn't have a freezer stash built up yet so I had to cook more, therefore had to prep more. This weekend was already better. We are having sandwich night tonight, which involved no prep! 

It's been so amazing during the week to come home and have dinner done or just need to pop it in the oven and actually get to sit and play with the kids. Last week, I got to teach DS how to play checkers while the casserole baked! It takes some time and planning, but it is so worth it for the time it saves during the week. I'd be happy to share my weekend prep plan if you'd like. I keep my shopping list, menu, and prep plan in a google doc so that I can get to them anytime I think of something and add it in to try to keep pre-shopping planning to a minimum and as easy as possible. 

That's all, I think, haha! Hope it helps someone!

ramfan05

@greenbunny79, it took me a looong time to figure this out! DS is 4, so I've had some time It really feels so much better this way now, though, compared to the rushing around I've done in the past. 

nebraska84

Successes/Celebrations:everyone is healthy and happy. we have be blessed with no sicknesses yet this year and I pray it continues. DH was able to rework his Monday's schedule so he is now home for dinner, which is been so fun. 

Struggles/Challenges: staying on top of cleaning the house. this will always be a struggling and I get to what I can

Me time/Family time: since the bachelor started last week I have gotten together with friends to watch it. it is so fun to see them. And then my other 'me time' is when I am folding laundry upstairs and DH has the boys downstairs

Weekend Plans:1st birthday photos and 3 yr old photos on Sunday. I am excited, can't believe DS2 is almost 1, yikes! 

Anything new you are trying to make your life a little simpler since getting back into your routine? Or are you just continuing on with the way things were going before?

dizzycooks

ramfan05 said:

Okay, @dnmolakides, dinner.

Before my break during the holidays, I was so stressed getting home from work. I can leave at 4 but was never leaving until 4:30, getting home between 5 and 5:15 and needing dinner done by 6 so we could eat, give baths, and get the kids to bed. There was no time for playing or anything fun with the kids because I'd come in and drop everything to start dinner. Here's what I'm doing now:

1. On Saturday, I go grocery shopping. I meal plan before this so I know what I need. While making my meal plan, I also make a meal prep plan for the weekend. It usually involves cleaning fruit and chopping veggies for salad for the week on Saturday, as well as making something for lunch for the week on Saturday (last week it was quinoa salad, this week it is chicken salad). On Sunday, I prep all of the meals for the week. Cook anything I can ahead of time (rice, pasta), chop any veggies that will be needed and put them in ziploc bags labeled with the day I will use them. 

DS has started swimming lessons two nights a week, so we get home at 6. Those nights are always crock pot nights. We all walk in at 6 and dinner is ready to eat. The leftovers get put in a gallon ziploc for the freezer. One night a week, we have a freezer meal from my stash. I can defrost it in the fridge the day before, and just need to reheat when I get home. I have also done a night or two a week where I make a casserole. I prep it on the weekend and store it in the fridge in the casserole dish. The night of, I add the sauce (also already prepped and in a container so I just have to dump it in) and stick it in the oven. Fridays are always breakfast for dinner, so we make pancakes, waffles, scrambled eggs, etc. DS usually just helps me in the kitchen those nights while DD plays in the kitchen or in her high chair. 

I've only done this for a couple of weeks so far. The first weekend was tough because I didn't have a freezer stash built up yet so I had to cook more, therefore had to prep more. This weekend was already better. We are having sandwich night tonight, which involved no prep! 

It's been so amazing during the week to come home and have dinner done or just need to pop it in the oven and actually get to sit and play with the kids. Last week, I got to teach DS how to play checkers while the casserole baked! It takes some time and planning, but it is so worth it for the time it saves during the week. I'd be happy to share my weekend prep plan if you'd like. I keep my shopping list, menu, and prep plan in a google doc so that I can get to them anytime I think of something and add it in to try to keep pre-shopping planning to a minimum and as easy as possible. 

That's all, I think, haha! Hope it helps someone!

Please share!  Can you link it here?

hammysmommy

greenbunny79 said:

@ramfan05 can I borrow some of your organizational skillz???

+1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ramfan05

@CiaoMama, that's just it. I love to cook and I was trying to do way too much during the week. Now, I save the cooking for weekend nights when I know we'll be home, or DH and I will do a home date night every once in awhile and I'll cook something special for us after the kids go to bed. 

I will figure out how to share a link for my planning stuff, too I'll be back!

inluv4life2

Success – The next part of our home repair nightmare is complete. The inside of the house was painted and looks fantastic. Now, we wait for flooring and carpet to be installed and we’ll be done…for now! I’m sure all the new stuff will make me want to redo the old stuff. J

 

Challenges -  The first week back was super hard. I have a lot of work stress and was just told that I will be given several new project in addition to the ones I already manage. It’s ridiculous how much I have on my plate. I’ve started to have mini panic attacks (I think) and am considering talking to a dr but I worry if meds would affect my BF. The bulk of my worry is that LO continues to get cold after cold which goes to his lungs and then he has to have breathing treatments. I’m feeling so lost on how to help him. We are trying to figure out how to afford a nanny situation and get him out of the large daycare. Maybe if we can minimize his exposure to germs he won’t get so sick.  Still don’t have an answer to this. And we have DD’s head CT this Friday so I’m hoping for good news there. I guess we have a lot of challenges…

Me time/Family time – Last weekend H and I spent the bulk of it putting the house back together after the painting. DD spent Sunday with the grandparents which she loved. I’m looking forward to the long holiday weekend this weekend and spending some one on one time with DD. She really needs my attention right now and I’ve been so caught up helping LO when he feels bad. I did take a hot bath last night while DH did the dishes. That was great!

This weekend – I think I already covered it. Oh! DH and I plan to watch some of the Globe movies. We already saw Boyhood but have a few more on our list. J

 

Anything else?

Basically I’ve realized I either need to cut my work back so I can be home more or make more money so I can hire more help. We already have a house cleaner twice a month and we do dream dinners to help with dinner time. I feel like I’m outsourcing my life!

Great tips above from PP. Sorry to be such a downer. I just feel really overwhelmed right now and I can’t really share that with anyone. People always tell me that I have it so together. Ha! If only they knew the truth!

Oh! One thing that makes life easier is laying  out clothes for everyone the night before. That means no arguments from DD in the morning because all that’s been worked out and no hunting for the missing shoe or sock for LO. And I don’t realize I need to iron my pants last minute. That has been a huge help in the morning…not groundbreaking but still helpful J

ramfan05

@dnmolakides, of course! I plan from Saturday-Friday, since I do my shopping on Saturday morning. This week, we had leftovers still from last week, so:

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Pizza (made homemade crust - this was my night to actually "cook")

Monday: Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili with cornbread

Tuesday: Sandwich night (with chips and fruit)

Wednesday: Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken with rice

Thursday: Leftovers (we will choose one meal's leftovers to have tonight, the other will go in the freezer to become a freezer meal for later so I can build up my stash)

Friday: Breakfast for dinner (will probably be DS's choice - pancakes, waffles, or scrambled eggs)

Still trying to figure out how to share the weekend prep plan without it showing my email address and full name...

ramfan05

greenbunny79 said:

Today I learned that sexism is still alive and well.

I was trying to corral a large, diverse group of students in their 20s.  Despite my shouting, they all continued to carry on private conversations.  Then an older (but my age) male student wearing a suit walked in and stood around like the rest of them... but suddenly they all became quiet, stopped what they were doing and stood at attention.  So... female attempting to get attention = no respect; male simply standing around in a suit = full attention.

Ugh. That is so frustrating!