Any other working moms still struggling?

chillypenguin · January 2014

I remember seeing a post about this a little while back, but sorry if it was brought up recently. I work full time (with an hour commute each way) and I am just completely worn out. I have had a lot of time off recently due to the holidays and bad weather, but if anything I think that made it worse! I have a 16 month old, so when I get home I feel too tired to be a great mom, but I don't get much time to relax.

I guess this is just more of a vent post, but I would love it if anyone had any suggestions on how to snap out of this. I think part of the problem is that I desperately want to stay home, but we can't afford for me to quit, so it's not like I love my job and want to work. I just can't wait until my maternity leave starts in May, so I can have 12 weeks off with my girls! I am really hoping to drop down to part time after the baby comes. But I know that by working I AM being a good mom and helping provide for my family, it's just hard!

usernewname · January 2014

I'm right there with you. With commuting, running after 15 tots and being apart of the school community I am done by the end of the day. This is my first LO so I can't imagine coming home to care for another babe. I was slacking as a wife as it was

and we didn't even put up a tree for xmas as we were both so busy and exhausted.

I've been off for xmas and its been wonderful, spending time with DH, catching up on household chores etc. I am really looking forward to my maternity leave.

We all do the best we can, and we strive to be better and that's all we can do. I feel better knowing I'm not the only one who feels this way. Our mat leaves will be amazing

ksyknelvr73 · January 2014

I have been exhausted lately as well - and the time off only made me want to stay home even more! I feel your pain on everything you mentioned. I am still so tired, so I usually take a nap on my lunch break and eat at my desk. I don't know how practical that is for you, but it really helps me! Also, each weekend I spend a couple hours prepping my lunches for the week, figuring out dinners for the week, and getting laundry done. We have a cleaning service come in bi-weekly b/c I really do not have the time or energy to do that myself. That's all I can really offer in the way of advice.

IBackBevo · January 2014

It may have been me posting. Sometimes it seems there are not enough hours in the day.

Honestly, my biggest issue with being a WM has been childcare. It seems like it is always something. We went through 3 nannies in one year and multiple times being left without childcare with little to no notice. So we put DS in daycare. The problem with this is that he has literally been sick non-stop. I have not even been able to get him his flu shot because he has not been well for long enough to get it since we started him in daycare in October. For the most part, it has just been colds, but this last go around was a major illness of a horrible rash and super high fever (103 to 108) lasting about 12 days. He has now been out of daycare since about the 19th and we will probably keep him out next week, too.

Sorry this doesn't have any advice. I am justccommiserating.

BeesKnees181 · January 2014

The commute is always the killer part for me. I had an hour and 10 minute (in good weather) commute one way and it was zapping me of everything. Fortunately, we moved last weekend and my commute is 30 minutes each way, now. It makes a huge difference. Hang in there! Does your work allow you to telework r work from home for added options?

chillypenguin · January 2014

Glad to know I am not the only one, but wish it was easier for us all! Luckily we just moved, so my mom is watching DD and she is no longer in daycare. Last winter was terrible and she was pretty much sick from Thanksgiving-June (not just colds, but influenza A at 4 months and 6 ear infections in 3 months).

I am also supposed to start working from home sometime this month, which I think will be a big help (an hour extra sleep per day, right now I leave the house at 5 am, and an extra hour in the evening), but that has been promised to me since I came back from my maternity leave 13 months ago, so I won't fully believe it until it happens.

I am trying to just keep on doing the best I can, and trying not to worry about all the housework or not having as much patience as I should. This pregnancy is flying by, so I am sure May will be before we know it.

jjtyler · January 2014

I'm exhausted here as well and I dread when we get back to a routine after the holidays because my only saving grace has been the days off for Christmas and New Year's. Makes me wanna cry that I have to travel next week Monday through Thursday.

My daughter is a bit older, so I get a break most mornings because she can do most things herself...but getting ready, commuting to the city, and then working all day makes me so tired just thinking about it.

Yesterday I went to work 6 am to get all the work I could get done because I was supposed to be off for my sono today. Now, I am stuck home anyway...so I am going to work...in bed.

chknma · January 2014

I feel this way often too. At first I thought it was just first tri exhaustion, but then decided it is just how working moms that are also growing babies feel.

I've been good about taking at least one nap over the weekend and have found that keeping to a regular exercise routine is also helpful.

But I'm also looking forward to maternity leave! Although newborns are hard work, I'm looking forward to time away from work!

JennyCraig · January 2014

I completely understand what you're saying!! I have a 1.5 hr commute each way and I feel as though I could faint at any time. It sucks but I'm expecting that we're going to be moving a little closer to my work after baby is born so this isn't forever. Good luck with your commute and know that you have lots of sympathy - it sucks!!!

glowworm0166 · January 2014

I am in a very similar situation. I have an hour commute each way, work full time and have an 18 mo old. I leave the house a little before 6am in the mornings. When my husband and I moved to where we live now (about 2 years ago) I talked to my boss about working from home twice a week. He wasn't thrilled with the idea at the time. He said he wasn't willing to say every Tues and Fri you will be working from home. But he did say that if I can work from home twice a week and am in the office when I need to be and my work doesn't suffer that he thought he would be ok with it. It's been about two years now and I've never had a problem. At my last review I thanked him again for being so flexible. His response was "you always get your work done so I don't really care what you do." So... if your boss is open to it definitely try to work it out so you can be home once or twice a week. Sleeping that extra hour or so twice a week is seriously a lifesaver and missing the commute home gives me more time to spend with my little man in the afternoon.

oscarwao · January 2014

I wish I could quit my job like, yesterday. But I don't make much money as is and I still make more than my hubby. After we pay the bills and buy groceries, gas, and savings there is VERY little cash left - fun stuff is kept to a minimum. I feel your pain!

keep on!

arrowmama · January 2014

I'm with you, I'm a manager at Macy's and was required to work 6 day work weeks during holiday season. I'm pooped, exhausted and it's really hard to snap back. I'm a FTM so I can't help you there.... I've been trying to clean and organize and prepare for my vacation time at the end of January. I'm excited for that because I'll be starting to work on the baby room.

Hang in there, give yourself goals or something exciting to look forward too!

You can do it!!!

CopperPoppy · January 2014

FTM and I wish I had an answer for you. I really like the suggestions that others have given and hope some of them work for you. I work full time in a hospital as a social worker and commute an hour each way as well. The biggest challenge for me has been not taking it out on my husband. He walks to work from home and seems to have boundless energy. Sometimes I get really frustrated and feel like he doesn't get what I'm doing everyday to make things work for us but then I have to appreciate all the things he's picking up for me. He's never complained that I don't cook dinner as often.

It's hard and I wish I could believe that it will get batter but either way I welcome the change. I love my job but really can't stand some of the people I work with. I plan to also drop down to part time if possible once the baby comes but my first priority is finding a job closer to home. I can't do the commute.

Sarac2288 · January 2014

I have about a 20 minute drive to work and a almost 3 year old my fiancé is going to afternoons on Monday idk how I will do it without him. I am so tired at night he usually takes the dog out the last time and puts our daughter in bed. I am happy when I have enough energy to make dinner and all this now an cold here is not helping. Called in sick today because of sinus cold and well with a little one I'm just waitin for naptime lol

Arinias · January 2014

I am glad I am not the only one struggling with work. I have a very short commute, but my job requires a lot of physical labor and I have been feeling pretty run down. I also work at two part time jobs right now although one is seasonal and ending soon, so I am really working about 55 hours a week depending on how many shifts I get at my seasonal position. It has been pretty exhausting. I have been thinking about quitting my part time job, but I am not sure I want to lose the extra income since we still need to save quite a bit for mat leave. But even the idea of working my full time for the next four months is rough. I love my job and wouldn't trade it for anything, but idk how I am going to handle it the further I get in this pregnancy. I am currently seriously looking forward to the break I will get in maternity leave. I am just glad DH has not complained about my complete lack of housework.

Tkburke · January 2014

So glad to know I'm not the only one! We moved recently so I am having such a hard time finding the time and energy to unpack and get stuff put away. And I have a very short commute, about five minutes, and I am still just exhausted at the end of the day. I really sympathize though I used to commute an hour each way. Someone else had mentioned juicing fruits and veggies helping her get more energy. I'm thinking of trying it. I don't have much advice, but I am right there with you ladies. We can do it! Keep at it bumpies!!

ns1 · January 2014

I'm also exhausted with a full time job and a toddler. DH is a great help when I just want to veg on the couch or take time for myself with yoga or girl's night. But basically I feel like I clocked out of work with my bfp. I'm just getting through and waiting to see how things go post baby!

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