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Stay at Home Moms
pinkiemo
member
WAHMs come in please!
pinkiemo
member
Hello ladies,
I recently started working from home again (I'm a writer) and had a few questions. I have a sitter/mother's helper starting tomorrow because I can't seem to get anything done work-wise if I'm here by myself, and I've got deadlines looming. There always seems to be something else to do, like chores or cooking or just playing with DD. So now I've got someone, but I'm very nervous about it. DD has always just hung out with me all day and I'm not sure how she's going to take to someone else. Part of the problem is she doesn't take naps by herself, but I'm guessing that's something we're going to have to work on because I'm not too keen on a stranger lying down in my bed with my sleeping baby.
So my questions are these:
What does your schedule look like during the day? When do you usually work? When do you make time for chores? Do you have a nanny and how did you make the transition? What times did you have the nanny come? Any other tips that will magically make this all work out? 
Thanks so much!!
Always Sunny's back b-tches!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: WAHMs come in please!
My situation is a little different because my job has defined hours -- 8-2pm. So DH brings DD to daycare then and I can work. I generally do not move from my computer during those hours. After I log off, I might throw in a load of laundry or unload the dishwasher, but I always try to get DD by 3. From 2:30-6 I basically do whatever I can to get out of the house (Mommy & Me, errands, taking a long walk). I'm lucky because DH does all the cooking, so he usually starts dinner before I get home (or, more often, cooks a large meal on Sunday we reheat). We also have a cleaning service, which helps.
I WAH too. Usually, I have to get up extra early to work (usually 5am-7am), work during nap time (2-3pm), and then stay up late to finish whatever I didn't get done (8-11pm or so, depending). I don't have any help besides DH who has a relatively flexible schedule and if I'm really behind and the girls aren't napping or whatever the circumstances are and I need him, he can take them with him for a few hours while I get things done. Otherwise, it's just the 3 of us and I make it work around their schedules.
For your particular situation, however, I would have the nanny come and stay until nap time. That way, you can get work (housework or work work) done before LO goes down, you can have cuddle/nap time together, and then time after nap to play, etc. Of course, that's working on the assumption that LO naps once in the afternoon; if LO naps in the AM then have the nanny come after and reverse the schedule. If LO naps more than once during the day, I say have the nanny come between naps or before 1st nap or after last nap, depending on when it will most benefit you.
Joe and Ashley ~ June 16, 2007 ~ Olivia Rae ~ May 12, 2008 ~ 9:06 pm ~ 8lbs 4oz ~ 20.5 inches ~ Miscarriage of twins ~ April 16, 2009 at 6 weeks. ~ Surprise BFP 6/23/09 13DPO ~ Eleanor Rose ~ February 18, 2010 ~ 6lbs 15oz ~ 20 inches ~ Caroline Ruth ~ February 19, 2013 ~ 6lbs 12 oz ~ 19 1/4 inches
Our family is complete!
What does your schedule look like during the day?
I have a babysitter 1 mornings a week (Mondays & Fridays - just because those are the days I have projects due) from 7:30-12:30).
On Tuesday & Thursday I work during DDs nap (11-2ish) and at night (from approx 8-11pm, depending on how much I have to do).
When I have a babysitter - I usually leave the house and go to a coffee shop unless I'm not feeling well... then I curl up in bed with my laptop. But usually if I'm there, DD will want to play with me and I'll want to do other things around the house so it's just easier. I go to Panera and have 100% focus on work. At night when I'm working I'm pretty good about being focused just while DH is watching TV. I don't have the *urge* for housework at the end of the day as much
When do you make time for chores?
I do chores when DD is napping/playing by herself. I usually wash/dry 1-3 loads of laundry throughout the day and then at night fold them and put them all away at once. Kitchen just gets cleaned up after each meal or it builds and never ends. Other little things like bathrooms and vacuuming I usually do during nap time - I try to spend 15-30 of nap time doing one "non daily" chore.
Do you have a nanny and how did you make the transition? What times did you have the nanny come?
See above
Other Tips?
I live off of lists in life in general. So I recommend making a list of things you WANT to accomplish work-wise and house-wise each day. When your nanny is there - focus on that list. When she's not - you can do house things. Also, it really helped when I got into a groove of cleaning up throughout the day (cleaning dishes/the kitchen right after each meal... picking up toys every once in awhile.. etc.)
GL!
I WAH p/t. DD is 2 1/2 (I've WAH since she was 6 months old). She does not go to daycare/pre-school. Typically, I work in hte morning before she gets up. Then when she naps. Then, if neccessary, after dinner or on weekends here and there(giving DH time with her).
During the summers, I've had a close family friend (11 year old) come over and be a mother's helper for a few hours. I work in the next room while she entertains DD, but I can hear everything. That was rough when DD was under 1y b/c she kept looking for me. It was better the next year, she liked having someone new to play with her I think.
We have #2 arriving in March. I plan to balance it all for a couple of months, and try to create some normal routine. Then, when she's adjusted to the baby, I will enroll DD is summer camp (and ultimately pre-school) two days a week. At that point, I hope to maintain something similar to my current balance.
It's tough, exhausting and it sucks sometimes, but we need the money. And I feel fortunate to be able to have the flexibility and the opportunity, that's my mantra.
GL!