Any working moms with 2 under 2?

AnnaBanana0327

Am I going to go crazy getting 2 kids ready for daycare? Was it easier to go back to work with #2? I had a really hard time with DD but I'm hoping it will be easier since I love the teachers in the infant room. What is the hardest part? Thanks!!!

moonfaerie

You probably don't want to hear my experience, but here goes anyway! It was SO much harder for me to go back to work after #2. Getting everyone ready in the morning takes forever, and I was so exhausted and had no time for BS so I was snappy and irritable all the time. Both of my kids were horribly cranky when they got home at night, and DH was cranky too because he had to drive home for 45 minutes+ with a screaming baby in the car. So my entire family was miserable when I was working full-time.

Pumping was really interfering too, so if you FF you may have an easier time. I got up super early to pump, then pump after work, when DD1 was crying for my attention because she was tired and hungry, and the dog needed to go out, then DD2 would get home and  cry because she needed me and I was still trying to pump. Then I pumped again after the kids went to bed and had to do dishes etc and I wasn't getting to bed til somtimes 1 AM and then had to get up with DD2 and get up at 5:30 to pump some more. It sucked!

I was going to quit and be a SAHM, but I do want to work part-time just to get some time to myself, so I approached my employer about going part-time. They agreed! Things have been so much better since I went down to three days a week. I work on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, so we get a break from having to get everyone up and ready multiple days in a row. Working part-time has been wonderfull for my family. We are all much happier.

bulldog_mama23

My experience hasn't been bad at all.  Sure, it is WAY more work and I only work 4 days a week.  Hubby and I are both way more exhausted than we were with just one kid. We have settled into our new routine, it has just been a harder transition since we are both having to be hands on all the time with two under two, you know what I mean? It helps that my hubby does SO much to help, it is 50/50 with us. It has to be or the person doing it all would be so drained. 

We prepare as much as we can the night before after the kids go to bed.  And seriously, I am thankful everyday that I have an amazing husband who helps tremendously. I don't think I would be okay working as much as I do and having two little ones if he wasn't there to help. I don't even know what the hardest part is for us.  I don't think it is hard, it is just different than just having one, you know what I mean? 

AnnaBanana0327

Thanks ladies!! I think if I can get past telling my boss, I'll be happy. She is not going to be excited about this. I know it's going to be challenging but I couldn't be more happy. Thanks again for your experiences!

g8orell

You get used to it. I do it on my own b/c my husband leaves for work before the kids are even up. You just need to get a routine going. I started the routine a few weeks before going back to work.

I do think it was easier going back with #2. DD has been in that daycare for a while now, so I know everyone there and have been VERY happy with the school. Plus, I went back to work March 21, but had to pay for the entire month of March, so starting March 1, I would drop him off for an hour, then increased by an hour every few days. He was only 2 months then, so at that age, he didn't really understand what was going on. So by the time he started at 12 wks (and more aware of everything), he was already use to them

The hardest part for me in the morning is getting DD to cooperate to let me do her hair, dress her, and feed her. Sometimes she's just not in the mood, but since we're on a tight schedule, I'm only "alotted" a certain amount of time to get her ready, and that's not always enough. Sometimes DS even goes to daycare in his PJ's. They keep the rooms cold, so they prefer the infants are ine one-pieces anyway.

kcisthebombdotcom

I think it all depends on what your DH's work hours are and if he can help or not. I work part time and I make my own hours, and I always find myself going in from 9am-12pm most days because it takes a good hour to get us all ready and out the door. I have DH home in the mornings 2 days a week (he works a rotating schedule of 1st/2nd shift hours) and those mornings are a lot easier. 

I would think it would be pretty manageable if you had DH's help in getting one child ready. If not, maybe you could look into part time if that would financially work or later hours if your company is flexible.

GL!

Mr.&MrsS

A little perspective from a Mom who has been doing it for a while.

My kids are 16.5 month apart, and I went back to work (after my maternity leave) when DS2 was 3 months old. In the beginning it was tough, I felt like I didnt really have any time to myself. I was always taking care of the kids, and when they were sleeping I was getting me and them ready for the next day. And also not getting much sleep because DS2 wasnt sleeping through the night yet. It never felt impossible to me though. I knew it was a short phase and we would get through it. (Some tips, get everything ready at night (lunches, pick out your clothes and thier clothes, iron, make bottles, etc) then you arent running around in the morning, possibly even shower at night if you can...I did that for the first 6 months or so, leave work at work and leave the kids at home. Easier said than done, but try not to focus on the kids while you are at work so you can get as much done as possible while you are there. When you are at home try not to worry about work and focus all your attention on the kids.)

But honestly, I barley remember those days now. We have got into a great routine, and taking care of 2 doesnt seem any harder than just taking care of 1 in the morning. It may take a little time to adjust to your new normal, but it certainly isnt impossible. I find it very managable.

Good luck to you!!

(And like you, I was scared to tell my boss. He took it better than I thought he would, and after a little time passed he was excited for me. Try not to think the worst just yet!!)

t.bird

my girls are 14 months apart & i went back to work after a 3 month leave.

honestly- it's EASIER than it was with 1- BUT only because we have a nanny. she comes to the house 3x per week which makes my life 10x easier.

2x a week we take the girls to my mother's or MIL's- but it's pretty simple. they're still asleep so i just load them in & unload them (still asleep)

kmh2201

It wasn't too bad, actually.  I just started to get up earlier than before when it was just DS.  I get up at 5:15 and get myself ready.  (I take a shower the night before, but still wash my hair and face, put on my makeup, and do my hair in the morning.)  At about 5:45 or 5:50, I get DD up and feed her, change her diaper, and get her dressed.  (DH gets up at that time.)  I leave the house around 6:20 am because I start work at 7 am.  DH gets DS ready and then takes the kids to daycare.

I'm sure when DD is mobile things will start to get interesting...

MammaBear81

When we had our third we switched to an au pair.. no getting anyone up and ready in the morning .  When I used to take the kids to work with me it wasn't too bad, I just prepared everything I could the night before, packed bags, laid out clothes (theirs an mine) and picked out what breakfast was (if we did pancakes or waffles I cooked them the night before and then just popped them in the microwave in the morning).  If you plan ahead things seem to go smoother, I definitely noticed a difference on the days I was too lazy to pack the night before.