2 under 2 and working full-time outside the home?

MrsL0908

I'm not pregnant *yet* but we plan to start trying after this month's AF comes and goes. DS is such an angel - sleeps good and is so happy. We are so blessed.  MH works at night and stays home with DS during the day  - though we plan to start daycare after the new year. But, with dinner, chores, playtime and bath time, I'm exhausted by bedtime. I'm ready to expand our family, but scared at the same time. How do other Mom's that work outside the home handle it? 

AnnaBanana0327

I don't have my 2nd as an outside baby yet but I'm sure it can be done. DH and I will both be working full time. I'm sure it will be crazy and exhausting but I knew this is what is right for our family so we'll figure out how to make it work. GL TTC!!

mrsseguin

I work full time as an RN.  I am fortunate to have a flexible schedule.  I work a few 12 hour shifts and do some afternoon shifts.  DH works full time days.  I am home all day with both kids, except when DS goes to DC when I work a 12 hour shift.  Then I only sleep when the baby sleeps on the days DS goes to DC.  Its hard, and a lot of work, but I'm not the stay at home mom type...I like my job and it gets me out of the house.  DH does do a lot as well. 

MammaBear81

24 hours in a day= 8 hours for work, 8 hours for sleep, 4 hours for house stuff and 4 hours with kids per day... obviously this would be a perfect day, but it's the balance that I strive for.  Also weekends are more like 12 hours for the kids, 4 hours for house stuff and 8 hours for sleep

For us the key is maintenance, "don't put it down, put it away" once you let one room go, it just snowballs from there!  GL

caymanbride

My boys are exactly 2 years apart -- and we are in a similar situation. I work during the day (teacher) while DH stays home with the boys. When I get home, he goes to work. It's tough for him -- he doesn't get much sleep, but it's worth it to us to not have to pay for childcare, and we love that our boys are always with us. It's hard, no doubt, since we each basically parent alone while the other works BUT it works out best for our family, and now that DS2 is older, it's easier b/c they play together and entertain each other a lot. It's tiring, but we still plan on a third child.

MrsL0908

Thanks ladies! I'm excited about adding to our family. But, also scared! Cayman, you took the words out of my mouth. I feel like we parent separately a lot; but we feel lucky to have had DS home for as long as we have. He's only little for so long, and I love having him with us. I'm mostly concerned with MH's sleep. He gets 4-5 hours a day. Not enough!  Any tips on maximizing our time together, as a family, and increasing his sleep?

mari_gold

I have 2u2 and work nights myself. The kids go to daycare until 2 in the afterrnoon, when I pick them up so we can spend a couple hours together before I go to work. I can't function on only 4 or 5 hours of sleep, nor is it healthy to do so. Plus, I love the socializing aspect of daycare.