working moms, question.

ssf10 · October 2010

I am a CNA and do home health. I have not yet returned to work, but I really want too. So here is my issue. My SO works 3rd shift he will be going to 2nd but not until the end of next months. We live in the country lol and when it snows here, it SNOWS. DD would not be going to daycare I have family who will keep her for me, My question is how in the world do you ladies do this with children? I have the option to be a stay at home mom, but I'm not so sure I want to do that. Is it very difficult for you to get LO ready, yourself and out the door to go to work? I'm trying to be realistic about this especially with SO working 3rd right now and I work 1st so with no help at night and stuff. Would you just wait until he went to 2nd shift? If you could have stayed home would you have?

Dobie_Mama · October 2010

My H is also currently working 3rd shift. We're hoping in a few months he'll switch to 2nd but it's a toss up right now. I get our bags ready the night before & lay out all of our clothing. I get up at 6am, shower, get myself ready, wake up DD #1 and get her dressed while nursing DD #2, then get DD #2 dressed and we're out the door no later than 7:15am. I start work at 8am. It's a juggling act for sure, but it's certainly do-able once you have your routine down. DH's off days are Mon. & Tues. and I've found that, because I'm so used to doing things alone, he actually more gets in the way when he's around to "help" in the AMs. lol

I live in the mountains of WV so I totally feel you on the snow. In the winter I'll probably get up a bit early to get the car warmed up, scrape ice, clear snow from the driveway, etc.

And no, I probably wouldn't stay home even if I could. Because of our salaries and the cost of our health insurance, it's not possible for either of us to stay home currently, but I really enjoy my job. So either way I'd probably continue to work. I think it gives me a good balance.

VTSKIBUM · October 2010

I found with DD1 that I made sure to get everything ready the night before. Diaper bag, my clothes, her clothes, my lunch made and anything else I needed. It took a week or so to get into a routine of what time I actually needed to get up to get us out the door ontime and me to work.

ssf10 · October 2010

Dobie_Mama:

My H is also currently working 3rd shift. We're hoping in a few months he'll switch to 2nd but it's a toss up right now. I get our bags ready the night before & lay out all of our clothing. I get up at 6am, shower, get myself ready, wake up DD #1 and get her dressed while nursing DD #2, then get DD #2 dressed and we're out the door no later than 7:15am. I start work at 8am. It's a juggling act for sure, but it's certainly do-able once you have your routine down. DH's off days are Mon. & Tues. and I've found that, because I'm so used to doing things alone, he actually more gets in the way when he's around to "help" in the AMs. lol

I live in the mountains of WV so I totally feel you on the snow. In the winter I'll probably get up a bit early to get the car warmed up, scrape ice, clear snow from the driveway, etc.

And no, I probably wouldn't stay home even if I could. Because of our salaries and the cost of our health insurance, it's not possible for either of us to stay home currently, but I really enjoy my job. So either way I'd probably continue to work. I think it gives me a good balance.

I live in the mountains of Virginia haha. It does sound like a juggling act, but I enjoyed my job also and I miss it. I guess I will just have to get a good routine down I been wanting to go back for awhile. Oh I forgot to add I'm also a full time student (I'm trying for my RN)

Dobie_Mama · October 2010

ssf10:
Dobie_Mama:

My H is also currently working 3rd shift. We're hoping in a few months he'll switch to 2nd but it's a toss up right now. I get our bags ready the night before & lay out all of our clothing. I get up at 6am, shower, get myself ready, wake up DD #1 and get her dressed while nursing DD #2, then get DD #2 dressed and we're out the door no later than 7:15am. I start work at 8am. It's a juggling act for sure, but it's certainly do-able once you have your routine down. DH's off days are Mon. & Tues. and I've found that, because I'm so used to doing things alone, he actually more gets in the way when he's around to "help" in the AMs. lol

I live in the mountains of WV so I totally feel you on the snow. In the winter I'll probably get up a bit early to get the car warmed up, scrape ice, clear snow from the driveway, etc.

And no, I probably wouldn't stay home even if I could. Because of our salaries and the cost of our health insurance, it's not possible for either of us to stay home currently, but I really enjoy my job. So either way I'd probably continue to work. I think it gives me a good balance.

I live in the mountains of Virginia haha. It does sound like a juggling act, but I enjoyed my job also and I miss it. I guess I will just have to get a good routine down I been wanting to go back for awhile. Oh I forgot to add I'm also a full time student (I'm trying for my RN)

Isn't the mountain snow so much fun!? lol I'll be starting my masters in January. Sounds like we'll be living pretty similar lives!

I'm sure you'll do great! I would do a sort of test run the week before you start back - get yourself up and ready just like you would be headed to work, even if you aren't going anywhere. That way you can gauge how long will take you to get out the door in the morning and pinpoint any helpful tips you might have forgotten.

ssf10 · October 2010

Dobie_Mama:
ssf10:
Dobie_Mama:

My H is also currently working 3rd shift. We're hoping in a few months he'll switch to 2nd but it's a toss up right now. I get our bags ready the night before & lay out all of our clothing. I get up at 6am, shower, get myself ready, wake up DD #1 and get her dressed while nursing DD #2, then get DD #2 dressed and we're out the door no later than 7:15am. I start work at 8am. It's a juggling act for sure, but it's certainly do-able once you have your routine down. DH's off days are Mon. & Tues. and I've found that, because I'm so used to doing things alone, he actually more gets in the way when he's around to "help" in the AMs. lol

I live in the mountains of WV so I totally feel you on the snow. In the winter I'll probably get up a bit early to get the car warmed up, scrape ice, clear snow from the driveway, etc.

And no, I probably wouldn't stay home even if I could. Because of our salaries and the cost of our health insurance, it's not possible for either of us to stay home currently, but I really enjoy my job. So either way I'd probably continue to work. I think it gives me a good balance.

I live in the mountains of Virginia haha. It does sound like a juggling act, but I enjoyed my job also and I miss it. I guess I will just have to get a good routine down I been wanting to go back for awhile. Oh I forgot to add I'm also a full time student (I'm trying for my RN)

Isn't the mountain snow so much fun!? lol I'll be starting my masters in January. Sounds like we'll be living pretty similar lives!

I'm sure you'll do great! I would do a sort of test run the week before you start back - get yourself up and ready just like you would be headed to work, even if you aren't going anywhere. That way you can gauge how long will take you to get out the door in the morning and pinpoint any helpful tips you might have forgotten.

We get plenty of the snow thats for sure! That is a very good idea I think we will try that. Thanks for the idea. You have more than on child to I only have the one so hopefully I can get it down.

JuliaJ · October 2010

I get everything ready the night before:

1) Her bag: bottles, diapers, notebook, and anything else she needs for the sitter.

2) My pump bag: wash bottles & flanges. Put ice block in the freezer.

3) My lunch

4) My purse (ie, if I transferred my wallet or anything to diaper bag)

5) My clothes, including accessories, etc.

Then, I get up at 6am (if she doesn't have me up already) to leave the house by 8. Sometimes if she has me up, she will go back down for a short time, just enough for me to get showered. If she wants to stay up, I will put her in the bouncy seat while I shower. Usually, she likes it in there, and will give me about 30 minutes to get ready before she's totally bored.

Just give yourself more time than you think you'll really need. That way you're not stressed about it.

It's easier than I thought it would be. Good luck!

historychick79 · October 2010

I will be returning to work next week with our 1st LO, and have many of your same fears. I've been waking up my DS at his time for the past week so he is used to it (though he often wakes up an hr or so earlier), and the next 2 days I'll be getting up at my new time to practice the morning shower/feed/go routine (can't practice with my daycare b/c they can't accept him yet, but if you can do a practice day with yours, ask!). I live in upstate NY, so we also have to wrestle with the snow and ice; I'm kind of hoping it will be a harsh winter so I can call into work here and there

but it will be a bit tricky. I do plan to pack everything I can the night before so it's as simple as possible in the morning, and just think it will take some time for everything to fall into place. I would love several months home with DS, I think this is such a critical time in a child's life. But I think I would return to work after the first year or so, because I don't feel like a complete natural with young children and the loose/lack of routine is already getting to me a bit. That said, I will miss him dearly...

Mrs_Marcos · October 2010

I wonder this too. Getting one kid to daycare hard enough. But I do what others do. Get everything ready the night before. Diaper bag, lunches, clothes for the day, bowls for breakfast on counter, cups ready with spoon, coffee pre-measured, everything by the door. With breathing treatments and medication to take before we go for my less-than-willing two-year-old it's a bit hard. Two will be a challenge.

Get up earlier than normal for a week, it won't be long before you get a rhythm going. You'll learn quickly what steps and shortcuts to take to make it easier for you.

driveshorses · October 2010

I have an older kid to get ready for school in the morning also. But he's pretty self sufficient so that helps a lot. I just make sure he's properly dressed for the climate in clothes that fit and out to the bus stop on time.

DH and I both work 1st shift but I start later than he does. He has to be at work at 7, that's what time my alarm is set for. I get DD's clothes around and bag ready the night before, I have everything set out and ready to go. I wake up, start letting dogs out, warm up her bottle, get my pants on I'm going to wear to work (throw work shirt on at the last minute to keep it clean), start getting myself ready, DD wakes up around 7:30-8, feed her, put her in the bouncer while I finish getting ready. We're out the door between 8:30-8:45, depending on what day it is. It is a juggling act, but it's a good routine that we're both used to and I'm not late to work.

I wouldn't stay home. We need both of our paychecks and I'm not a SAHM kinda gal. Props to those who are, but I enjoy working outside the home and I really enjoy my job.

sarelewis · October 2010

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