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Two Under 2
cmenasco
member
Question for full time moms with 2u2!?
cmenasco
member
in Two Under 2
I am still pretty new to the bump and do a lot of lurking, and have never posted in the 2u2. My little guy is only 4 months old right now, but we are starting to think about #2 already! We want them pretty close in age, 18-20 months? I wish I could be a SAHM and in an ideal world I would be....but I am the money maker in the family and have to go back to work full time (4 days a week). For those who work full time, how is having 2u2? Do they go to the same daycare? Are your AM's crazy? Any suggestions?? Thanks!
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Re: Question for full time moms with 2u2!?
My boys are 16 months apart, and I work full time.
They both go to the same day care, we use an in home. So drop off and pick up are easy because they are in the same place. When they were both younger (I went back to work when DS1 was 19 months and DS2 was 3 months) it was pretty hectic in the mornings. I would wake up at 4:45am to get ready and then DS2 would be up for the day around 5:30. (And this was on top of getting up with him all night...back in those days I was TIRED!! And survived on caffeine). I did as much as I could the night before (still do). I would make bottles, pick out clothes, pack the diaper bag, etc. as soon as the boys went to bed. I didnt have much "me" time back then, as I was always tending to the boys or getting things ready for the next day. But honestly, even though it was hectic I never hated it, I never felt like I couldnt do it. I knew it was only a stage and we would get through it and things would just keep getting easier. (But I should mention that I like being a working Mom, I know it makes me a better mother to my boys. So that may have helped how I felt about those hectic early days)
Even now, I still get up at 5:15am to get ready before the boys wake up. I feel like I do better if I have time to wake up and have some time before the boys get up. They wake up anytime between 6:30 and 7:00. At that point we changes diapers (or use the potty for my older one), they have a snack (they eat breakfast at day care), get dressed and then we head out the door around 7:45. Then at night they are usually in bed by 8pm, so I have time to get things ready for the next day and time to relax with my DH. Right now I feel we have a good thing going. Mornings arent really hectic, nights arent too hectic. We have time to play and have time to get the necessary things done (dinner, baths, etc), and I still have plenty of downtime once they are in bed to unwind from the day.
It is different for everyone, but I think it is def. doable. Good luck!
Same feelings as Mr&MrsS: Very doable. You just get to be very efficient. It's definitely not twice the work as one kid, IMO. It's easier than I thought it would be but #2 still isn't crawling. Mobility will probably make it harder. DH is an equal parent/partner and I think that makes all the difference. He does all the cooking and handles the kitchen most of the time. I do the bills and occassional toilet cleaning, straightening, etc. He throws stuff in the washer, I fold and put away (at night).
I usually get up around 5:30, kids up around 6:20, out the door by 7 at the VERY latest, ideally 6:45. (We work 7:30-4 to avoid traffic since daycare is closer to work, which is 20 miles away.) #1 has milk in the car and #2 has usually eaten 2 hrs before so we just get him and go. DH and I work at the same place so we both do drop-off and pick-up. He makes our lunches, I get my pump stuff ready, whoever is less busy gets the bottles for #2.
After work, we all go for a walk or sometimes he takes #1 if #2 needs to eat or sleep. DH cooks, Family dinner at 6 or 6:30. #2 goes to sleep right after that and then #1 gets in the bath by 7, asleep between 8 and 8:30. During her bathtime DH usually washes the bottles/sippies and cleans up after dinner. Honestly, we are both bad about letting dishes sit out. After she's down, we fold laundry or ignore the dishes and watch a little TV before going to sleep.
The kicker is when one of us needs to travel for work. But then you just slack less and are even more efficient b/c you know there's no one to pick up the slack.
Matthew Kevin
7/31/83-7/20/11
Met 1/8/00
Engaged 4/21/06
Married 9/29/07
Two beautiful legacies: Noah Matthew (2 yrs) and Chloe Marcella (8 mos)
Day Three