How do you divide your time?

Blessed76

I'm a SAHM (well mostly--I work nights twice a week) and am having a really hard time finding enough hours in the day. I do all the cleaning and cooking during DS's naptime and by the time he goes to bed I am exhausted and all I want to do is relax and have "me time". I want to sit and watch tv, or read a book, or nest After I've "unwound" it's time for bed and another day goes past without DH and I spending any time together. I know it's a very common problem, but how do you make time for everyone and everything that needs to be done?

Halo79RN

I'm right there with you... I work 2 twelves over night every week.  I'm beat.  I worked last night, dh and I essentially tag teamed this morning and I'm up all day with both kids b/c dd's preschool did not have school today.  I'm brain dead right now.   I tend to split up my shifts... one during the week, one on the w/e so I can sleep good.     But I make sure I have one full weekend off a month... unfortunately, this month, dh has a conference tomorrow.  blah.  I do most everything around the house... if I work a few in a  row, my house looks like a train ran through it.  I try to explain to dh what to do and when... but many times he's working from home when he is home during the week for me to nap.  (I nap for 3-4 hours before a shift). I'm beat, I don't know why I do this other than the cost of childcare in our area is $$$$ and I really do love the dept I work in.  :::sigh::: this too shall pass.  I try to make sure my house is clean... although it stays a mess/cluttered... and I try to enjoy my time with the kids as priority #1.  They'll only be little for a short time. 

 

hang in there.  

Dani123

NO IDEA! lol

I WAH and its the hardest thing.  Some think its so nice and easy but its real hard to stay focused and be productive...I have guilt when Im playing with the girls, guilt when I work, or when doing housework like I always "should" be doing soemthing else.....What works best for me is having a strict  schedule and sticking to it.  Like I just map out the hours in the day for the week....Like 9-12 I play with girls & lunch, 12-3 they nap and I work, 3-5 they play and I do housework/dinner while I watch them play....I try not to deviate from that too much and I get what I need done.

susanmosley

I have a very similar schedule - SAH but work evenings.  For me, it is most evenings, but I am only gone for 1 1/2 - 2 hrs.

Anyway, it took me until about 3 months ago to feel like I have conquered the balancing act.  And by conquered, I mean some days I can still feel it slipping!

One thing I have decided is that i do all (no, MOST) of the cleaning and cooking while DD is awake.  It takes a little longer, and I have to be more creative about the toys I give her, how to include her, where I "confine" her, etc., but it results in her nap time being MY TIME.  During her naps, I lie on the bed, read, write in my journal, or watch TV and surf the web.

We also go on at least 1 walk/day in the stroller which I consider MY time.  Granted we talk and interact intermittently, but she has a snack and a great view and loves being outside, so I can day dream, think about my to do list, text my friends/sister, etc.  I usually take my palm pilot and/or pad of paper so I can get myself organized.   

The evenings are devoted to family (until DD goes to bed) and then the problem arises.  Often, DH and I retreat to our own things - DH--> TV, me -> internet.  However, we try to do it in the same room and after we have talked about our days, events that have occurred, plans for the week, etc.  

Our other problem is that we often don't go to bed at the same time.  

So, i can't answer your question...but maybe something I said will give you an idea or suggestion. 

Halo79RN

susanmosley:

The evenings are devoted to family (until DD goes to bed) and then the problem arises.  Often, DH and I retreat to our own things - DH--> TV, me -> internet.  However, we try to do it in the same room and after we have talked about our days, events that have occurred, plans for the week, etc.

 

this was us too... but this semester, dh is teaching 2 nightclasses ... between  that and him working late in the lab with grad students and me working nights, we're barely home together to do this.  I kind of miss it.. but it was a source of tension at one point...  we were like roomies. 

 

the best thing advice I can give is plan ahead....  plan meals ahead (prep ahead or make two of a dish so you can freeze one for later),  plan out when you'll do what cleaning tasks.  Obviously , I am not cleaning when I've been up all night working and have to stay up with the kids all day.  I'm reading to them, watching videos.. try to get outside to wake me up.  

and don't stress over it... you have enough stress to deal with with the odd schedule.   my situation is not changing anytime soon, I've found (I did search for a day job recently... but it was a bust).  So I've got to deal for now and move on. try to enjoy the little years b/c once they get into school, time really flies from what I'm told.   I figure, I'll get sleep then.  and then I won't mind this night shift as much.  

 

hang in there.