My dh and I want another child, but don't want to jump in that direction until we've decided whether or not I can sah. I'd be high risk due to a number of issues, and I'm wondering whether it would be more physically taxing to be at work while pg or be home full time with a toddler (almost 2) while pg. What do you think? (Note, I have a desk job with a long commute).
I taught junior high up until the day I delivered my first son. Waking up at 5:30am after battling pregnancy-induced insomnia was the worst. It was also more of a challenge to hold my temper with my wayward students when I was so physically uncomfortable.
By the time I was pregnant again, I was a SAHM. Yes, I had a 2-year-old to care for, but I was able to sleep a few hours later each morning and nap during the day if needed. Plus, I could get off my feet and relax whenever I wanted.
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I think they are both very hard. There is definitely a degree of exhaustion that you don't have when you are home b/c you can nap and sleep a little later. And maybe sit on the couch for a bit when DC is watching a little tv or playing with toys. Working, especially with the long commute, means not much down time and no naps, getting up earlier and staying up later because you have a lot more to do when you get home. I went to bed at 8 pm when I was pg the first time. The second time i couldn't get to bed until at least 10 any night. But at the same time, when I was exhausted in the first tri and when I was so big in the third tri, I couldn't imagine having to keep a 2 year old entertained all day.
Depends on the job... I work from home right now and weekdays are way easier than weekends. Sitting at a desk all day is easier than trying to entertain DD, and I can even take a nap if I need to. I'm traveling on business this week so daytime naps aren't an option, and it's still easier than weekends at home.
Also, I feel awful when DD is home and I'm feeling too tired/nauseous to play with her. DH and I were both exhausted this past Saturday (he's not pregnant, just was out drinking with his friends until 3 AM ) and we finally dragged ourselves off the couch to run some errands. On the way home, we passed the pool, and DD asked hopefully, "Go swimming?" I felt really bad that we were both too wiped out to go.
Mommy to DD1 (June 2007), DS (January 2010), DD2 (July 2012), and The Next One (EDD 3/31/2015)
Depends on the job... I work from home right now and weekdays are way easier than weekends. Sitting at a desk all day is easier than trying to entertain DD, and I can even take a nap if I need to. I'm traveling on business this week so daytime naps aren't an option, and it's still easier than weekends at home.
Also, I feel awful when DD is home and I'm feeling too tired/nauseous to play with her. DH and I were both exhausted this past Saturday (he's not pregnant, just was out drinking with his friends until 3 AM ) and we finally dragged ourselves off the couch to run some errands. On the way home, we passed the pool, and DD asked hopefully, "Go swimming?" I felt really bad that we were both too wiped out to go.
Depends on the job... I work from home right now and weekdays are way easier than weekends. Sitting at a desk all day is easier than trying to entertain DD, and I can even take a nap if I need to. I'm traveling on business this week so daytime naps aren't an option, and it's still easier than weekends at home.
Also, I feel awful when DD is home and I'm feeling too tired/nauseous to play with her. DH and I were both exhausted this past Saturday (he's not pregnant, just was out drinking with his friends until 3 AM ) and we finally dragged ourselves off the couch to run some errands. On the way home, we passed the pool, and DD asked hopefully, "Go swimming?" I felt really bad that we were both too wiped out to go.
I'd say easier to work for me. Like pp said, the weekends are exhausting for me (but fun of course) and the weekdays give me a chance to catch my breath! I just sit here all day, so its not physically taxing like it is to be playing with DD all day - she loves to be picked up and I have to get down on the floor, etc. Working is nice :-)
I would say tougher to SAH. I worked all through my 2nd PG up to the day before I delivered and weekends at home with my DD wore. Me. Out. I have a desk job too, and coming to work was actually sort of structured and a chance to rest. A coworker probably understands when you might need to take a moment to rest, shut your door, not be bugged, but trust me, a toddler does not.
for me it was tougher to be at home with a toddler than work - even though my job has me on my feet and driving a lot - trying to entertain DS1 all day long was physically and mentally challenging when i was pg (and still is).
i say - stay at work- you'll also be making money, too.
I work three days so I think I have a good sense of both. I think it depends on your child and type of job but for me being at work is MUCH easier than being at home. It probably helps that I have a really flexible workplace and can nap there if I need to. But it's much less exhausting in general for me to work.
Also, for me, the 2nd pregnancy in general has been MUCH harder, just fyi.
Working when PG with #2 wasn't as easy as it was with #1. I didn't get to rest as much as I did the 1st time around b/c I had another child at home. But, I think it would have been harder to be at home with #1 while PG. Going to work was relaxing compared to being at home with him at that age, especially with a baby on board.
I work p/t. DD is 2 and I am 7mo pg. But I'm not particularly high risk either.
My job is not stressful and the commute isn't bad. I do think that the stress level of your job would make a HUGE difference in the answer to this queistion.
For me, it is harder to be home with DD. Yes, I can take a nap with her in the afternoon... if she takes a nap. But honestly, on days that I work and DD is in daycare, I don't NEED a nap. If DD doesn't take a nap, it's a super hard day. But in order to get her to take a nap, I generally have to do something physically exhausting - trip to the zoo, park, pool, etc, and then I'm worn out as well. Being trapped in the house all day is my worst nightmare.
Re: 2nd baby poll: tougher to work or sah while pg?
Tougher to work, hands down.
I taught junior high up until the day I delivered my first son. Waking up at 5:30am after battling pregnancy-induced insomnia was the worst. It was also more of a challenge to hold my temper with my wayward students when I was so physically uncomfortable.
By the time I was pregnant again, I was a SAHM. Yes, I had a 2-year-old to care for, but I was able to sleep a few hours later each morning and nap during the day if needed. Plus, I could get off my feet and relax whenever I wanted.
Depends on the job... I work from home right now and weekdays are way easier than weekends. Sitting at a desk all day is easier than trying to entertain DD, and I can even take a nap if I need to. I'm traveling on business this week so daytime naps aren't an option, and it's still easier than weekends at home.
Also, I feel awful when DD is home and I'm feeling too tired/nauseous to play with her. DH and I were both exhausted this past Saturday (he's not pregnant, just was out drinking with his friends until 3 AM ) and we finally dragged ourselves off the couch to run some errands. On the way home, we passed the pool, and DD asked hopefully, "Go swimming?" I felt really bad that we were both too wiped out to go.
Mommy to DD1 (June 2007), DS (January 2010), DD2 (July 2012), and The Next One (EDD 3/31/2015)
This exactly.
This exactly.
for me it was tougher to be at home with a toddler than work - even though my job has me on my feet and driving a lot - trying to entertain DS1 all day long was physically and mentally challenging when i was pg (and still is).
i say - stay at work- you'll also be making money, too.
I work three days so I think I have a good sense of both. I think it depends on your child and type of job but for me being at work is MUCH easier than being at home. It probably helps that I have a really flexible workplace and can nap there if I need to. But it's much less exhausting in general for me to work.
Also, for me, the 2nd pregnancy in general has been MUCH harder, just fyi.
I work p/t. DD is 2 and I am 7mo pg. But I'm not particularly high risk either.
My job is not stressful and the commute isn't bad. I do think that the stress level of your job would make a HUGE difference in the answer to this queistion.
For me, it is harder to be home with DD. Yes, I can take a nap with her in the afternoon... if she takes a nap. But honestly, on days that I work and DD is in daycare, I don't NEED a nap. If DD doesn't take a nap, it's a super hard day. But in order to get her to take a nap, I generally have to do something physically exhausting - trip to the zoo, park, pool, etc, and then I'm worn out as well. Being trapped in the house all day is my worst nightmare.