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Working Moms
Share your best tips for transitioning back to work
I just started back to work full-time after DC #2 and it has been a rough week. Getting a 12 week old and a 2 year old dressed and out the door to daycare, along with everything else I need to do is a challenge. I know it will take some getting used to and eventually I will learn the best way to organize things, but I was wondering if any of you had any advice about how you made the back to work transition easier for yourselves. Thanks!
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Re: Share your best tips for transitioning back to work
I have a 4 y.o. and a 9 m.o. to get to daycare every morning, so I feel your pain.
We get as much ready the night before: I pack my lunch, make DS' bottles, set out their clothes, pack up my pump as much as I can, so that all I have to do in the a.m. is feed DS, shower/dress, throw stuff in the car, and go. DH also slightly shifted his schedule: he used to go in at 7, now he goes in at 7:30 so that he can help me get the kids in the car by 7:15. He is a huge help--I couldn't do it without him.
My 4 y.o. and I eat our breakfast in the car--it saves a little time, it's a little messy (we've figured out that bananas and granola bars are a safe bet) but it has sort of become our little ritual.
You'll find your rythym. Back in Feb. when I started this I almost cried because I didn't think there was any way I could do it--DS was taking almost 45 minutes to eat in the am (BF'ing) and I was afraid I was going to have to get up at 4 just to get out the door on time. But we made it work. And mommy gets to sleep.
I only have 1 LO to get ready but I set out all her clothes for the week on Sunday. That way each morning, I can just grab the onesie/outfit and get her dressed. This is also good when DH gets her ready - he doesn't have to search for anything.
I also do her bottles at night & put them right into her daycare lunch cooler & then into the fridge. Then I can just grab the bag and go. It's one step saved in the morning.
I've started letting my DD dress herself now....I lay out some options and she puts her clothes on while I dress her brother (I'm in the same room since they share so I can 'help' if she needs it).
I eat my breakfast at work at my desk while checkign email 1st thing.
I try to get all the bottles ready the night before and have my lunch packed and just leave the cooler bags in the fridge all ready to go.
Kate was born 1-26-2008
Natural m/c on 10-18-09 at 9.5 weeks
Mira was born 9-14-2010
I am wondering how the heck I am going to do this every morning. I plan to do test runs Mon., Wed., Fri next week, laying everything out the night before. I have an almost 2yr old that cooperates most days and an 11 week old that may or may not respect the schedule. I go back to work in two weeks so we will see how it goes.
Good Luck!!
I take lunch food to work for the week on Monday. I prepare BM bottles the night before. I cook some meals for the week on Sunday. I shower at night so it only takes 10 minutes to do hair and makeup. I pick out my outfit the night before.
Ditto pp. I try to prepare everything the night or weekend before.
This won't help you...but for others reading this, when I first started back to work DH stayed home for a week and then the following week my parents came to take care of DS. So for my first two weeks, I didn't have to worry about getting DS ready and out of the house in the morning, I just concentrated on the feeding/pumping/getting myself ready stuff.