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returning to work

KVGiovanelliKVGiovanelli member
edited August 2014 in Working Moms
Working mom/dads and what to expect.  We are fortunate that my husband can be a SAHD.  I however, will be going back to work in September.  Before baby I worked overnights 3 12 hr shifts, 7pm-7am.  Typically I would leave for work around 6pm and get home about 8:30-9:00am depending on actually getting out of work on time and traffic.  I am obligated to work every third weekend, and every holiday. I work in the hospital with sick patients.  Currently there is an offer to work in an office which will be away from sick patients and less of a risk bringing "germs" home to our family.  However this office job would be 5 8 hr shifts, I would be leaving for work at 7:30 am and getting home about 6pm . Monday-Friday. No weekends and off every holiday.  Both jobs would pay about the same, so money is not an issue.  What do you find works for your family, and what advice have to offer?  
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Re: returning to work

  • BabyHope2013BabyHope2013 member
    I think it's kind of a double edged sword. Right now I work M-F, leaving my house at 6:45 a.m. and not getting to daycare for pick up until almost 6 p.m. It is very stressful from the time I walk in the door till bedtime, running around making dinner, keeping DS occupied and then getting bath/bedtime done. DH doesn't get home till around 7 most nights. I do like having my weekends off---aside from 2-3 Saturdays a year that I have to work. 

    Sometimes I wish that I could just work 3-12 hour days and be done. That way I have more quality time home with DS. At the same time, that would mean 3 days a week that I basically won't only see him for an hour at most a day. I think that if I were you, I would have to be ok with that part of the deal the most. 

    No matter what you choose--I would recommend trying to be an organized as possible. Planning ahead of time for things like meal schedules, chores and even activities on the weekend to look forward to helps me a ton. Good luck!
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  • Slb22Slb22 member
    Hmmm...that is a tough one.  I would like the idea of working 3 days only, however I would not like the idea of weekends and holidays.  The week day shuffle is definitely stressful, however, I think I would probably choose that in order to not work weekends and every holiday.  I think holidays are more important to me now with a LO than they were previously.  And if your H is a SAHD then you won't have to get LO up early in the morning for daycare etc, so they may go to bed later at night than other LO's who have to be up early to get to daycare.  Before my LO started daycare she went to bed around 8:30/9ish.  Since starting daycare she goes to bed around 7/7:30.   It's a tough choice though, good luck. 
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  • jlaOKjlaOK member
    There are pros and cons to both so it's really all about personal preference.  The only thing that really bothers me about your current schedule is the holidays.  Will you have to work every holiday forever?  Most people I know who work in a hospital setting rotate holidays.
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  • sweetsunnycsweetsunnyc member
    I work a traditional schedule, but, FWIW,  my sister is a nurse and initially worked 3 12's, holidays and the occasional weekend when she graduated a few years ago. She thought that it would be ideal, but it ended up being really hard on her and she felt like she was tired all of the time and missing out on things. She has since switched to an 8-5 type of thing (I think it's 32 hours though) and she is much happier. That being said, her H works full time and travels often, so she did not have a lot of support to get extra sleep, sleep in, ect. Good luck on your decision! 
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  • SouthRNComfortSouthRNComfort member
    The holidays thing tough. I'm in healthcare too and wish I picked up more shifts and holidays for the extra pay before I got pregnant. Now with a baby, I want to be home for the holidays, even though right now she still too young to know the difference.
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  • litzo27litzo27 member
    I would pick the 3 - 12 hour shifts if they didn't entail weekends and holidays. Those would be deal breakers for me. Also I am freaked out about the hospital germs but that's because I don't work in a hospital so probably am overestimating how big of a deal it is. After all there are tons of mommy nurses/doctors etc. and their kids survive just fine :)
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  • KVGiovanelliKVGiovanelli member
    Yes, I would have to work every holiday unless someone is willing to work it for me.  Our hospital you either work the holiday or the day before.  So, on overnights I would work the eve into the holiday or the holiday out.  For example I am either getting home the morning of the holiday or going in the evening of the holiday. This has always sucked, and I didn't have kids before..
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  • xc1148xc1148 member
    With a SAHD, I would prefer to work a standard M-F. He can do meal planning, house stuff and ideally you can spend time as a family weeknights and weekends. That is what my sister in law does. But it depends on your preferences and your hubby's ability to manage the house the way you'd be comfortable with!
    TTC since June 2011
    DH: perfect SA
    Me: 30, moderate endo, unexplained infertility
    IUI or IVF in December



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