Going back full-time...tips?

kristinamarie27

On Monday, I'm starting back to work FT at a new company. I was working 30 hrs/3 days wk when DD was born and stayed that way until she was about 8months old (last August). At that point, I accepted a position (FT) with a new organization that turned out to be a disaster - 60 hr weeks, on-call 24/7, just a disaster. I left that job Dec 1st and have been taking some time off since then. I was hoping to get back into the workforce PT, or even 4 days/wk, but this position is only offered FT/5 days. With the job market being what it is, I am not dumb enough to pass up on work just because it will require more days than what I find to be ideal. DH also works FT. 

I am really stressing about going back FT. (To complicate things, I started my own business about a month ago. I know it will be slow to take off, but it is just an additional stressor.) I know that this job will be much, much different than my last FT gig - straight 8-4:30, no on-call, not a management position, no weekends- but the idea of getting everything done during the week that has to get done around the house/farm (we have dogs, cats, and horses at home as well) in half the available time is making my head spin. 

I've started meal-planning (goal is to have the menu board done this weekend) and hanging up my clothes in "outfits" so that I don't have to think about what I'm going to wear for the week. Any other tips as to what I can do to make the transition easier? TIA! 

stephy1221

Anything you can do in advance, meals, outfits (yours and LO) etc and anything you can outsourced, grocery delivery,laundry service etc. Take advantage of. Also when I transitioned back to FT I went nuts trying to get everything done at home after work and was really miserable. I started taking the first half hour at home just to be with LO and it helped. Dinner,dishes, chores it can all wait a half hour. GL with the new job!

Jenny952

I made a bunch of freezer meals that I can easily thaw overnight and pop into the oven when we get home.  We also got a cleaning lady to come once a month to do the big stuff.  Like pp said, the first 1/2 hour is spent snuggling with her and kind of unwinding.  She usually wants to nurse and then fall asleep right when I get home, and it's more than worth it to have that snuggle time.  I usually shut my eyes too! 

By the time I get home, I only have about 3 hours to spend with DD, and I need to eat, feed her, bathe her and get her down.  I tend to spend most of those 3 hours soley focused on her.  When she goes to bed, I finish dishes, pick up the house, organize us for the next day, and wash bottles and dishes.  I let her sleep in on Saturday mornings, which is when I get a lot of stuff done, like paying bills and vacuuming.  DH is on "daddy duty" as well so I can go to the grocery store and Target.

It is hard to find a good balance.  I guess I feel like some of the housework can wait and I would much rather spend time with the baby.  I try to get chores done when she is either sleeping or with DH.  And I also use the time that my in-laws stop over to get stuff done around the house.  I don't get to spend much time with them, but again, I'd rather do things so I can later be with DD. 

cottonlily84

You will learn what's important and the rest will get done when it gets done.  I dress myself from the clothesdryer many mornings!  I've found winging it works better for me than trying to plan and organize.  The organization goals were just another chore. 

Take all the help you can get.  I was kinda resentful/jealous that my MIL gets to stay home and play with my DD while I'm stuck at work.  But now I realize what a blessing she is.  DD has the best care from someone who honestly loves her as much as I do.  She will even ask to watch her on weekends and I try to rest or do laundry, etc.

Working FT I feel like we live on the weekends.  I only see DD 1-2 hours a day Mon-Fri so we try to make the most of weekends and I don't feel so bad/guilty.