Working Moms Check In

ramfan05 · October 2014

Happy Friday, Ladies! How has everyone's week been?

1. Successes/Celebrations this week?

2. Biggest challenge this week?

3. Did you get in any family-time or me-time in this week?

4. Last week, it seemed that many people said that the time between getting home from work and bedtime is the most challenging time of day. Any tips to help that time go more smoothly?

5. Plans for the weekend?

ramfan05 · October 2014

Can anyone else see the picture I posted? It showed up when I was typing the post, but I can't see it now?

Oh well.

1. Successes/Celebrations this week?

I'd gotten pretty lazy at night with getting things done, so my success this week was getting lunches made the night before every night this week.

2. Biggest challenge this week?

This was my first full week back from my break, so my biggest challenge was dealing with the kids being sad about me leaving. DS is sad every morning when he realizes that I'm going to work. This morning he is going to be really upset because DH is going to be taking them this morning instead of me (I pretty much always do all drop-offs and pick-ups, but it's been stressing me out lately) When I drop the kids off with my in-laws, DD cries and reaches for me. It's just heart-breaking.

3. Did you get in any family-time or me-time in this week?

No real me-time this week. We eat breakfast and dinner together everyday, though, so we have built in some good family time everyday.

4. Last week, it seemed that many people said that the time between getting home from work and bedtime is the most challenging time of day. Any tips to help that time go more smoothly?

I spend some time on the weekend getting as much food prepped as possible. I will chop any veggies I might need for dinners that week and put them in plastic bags in the fridge, if we are going to need shredded chicken, I will cook it and shred it. Anything that can be done ahead of time, I do. It's kind of a bummer sometimes on the weekend to have to spend so much time doing it, but it ends up being worth it during the week. If I don't do it on the weekend, I usually end up wishing I had.

I've also been making myself a big batch of something (soup or quinoa salad have been my go-to's lately) on the weekend and putting it in containers for my lunch for the week. This way I only have to make lunch for the kids each night, and I can just grab my container in the morning and go.

5. Plans for the weekend?

We are going hiking tomorrow, and we are all really looking forward to it. It's going to be a gorgeous day here tomorrow and we should be able to see some nice fall color, too. Otherwise, I'm looking forward to a pretty quiet weekend getting things done around the house

ramfan05 · October 2014

@dreamingbabies, it is so hard to drop LO off at daycare when all they want is to be held by you! I'm dealing with the same thing with DD right now, so you are not alone! She gets such a big smile, though, when I come to pick her up!

I am totally with you on cleaning the house, too. I am always exhausted at night and don't feel like doing anything. I get up super early before everyone else and have been using that time to try to do one thing around the house before everyone gets up. It's helped a little, but it's definitely not as clean as I'd like.

ramfan05 · October 2014

@mamosey, ((hugs)) mama. Sorry y'all had a rough week. I hope you are able to enjoy a little downtime this weekend, and your trip should be fun even though you have to work while you are there :P

@katybriggs, congrats on the weight loss! I failed big time in logging and making healthy choices this week. I may try to squeeze in a run this weekend, though, so that's something! And while I agree that an unemployed husband is not the way to go to make things run more smoothly, I'm glad that he has been able to be so helpful to you around the house.

ramfan05 · October 2014

@psk, enjoy your day off today! How nice to have some time to yourself! Hope you are able to find some downtime this weekend, but I get how it is when you're trying to squeeze everything into 2 days.

[Deleted User] · October 2014

The user and all related content has been deleted.

[Deleted User] · October 2014

The user and all related content has been deleted.

TessyMessy · October 2014

@mamosey I agree with pp's.. Don't let DC pressure you because R is the last child picked up. You have your contracted times for a reason and the less kids means more 1 on 1 attention!

@KatyBriggs Way to go! 2.4 pounds is awesome

@mummypig Sorry you are having supply issues. When I have had issues in the past I make sure to increase my water intake, take more fenugreek, and add an extra pumping session after LO goes to sleep.

1. Successes/Celebrations this week?

Nothing spectacular about my week. The end of the month/beginning of the month is tough so I am glad this week is over!

2. Biggest challenge this week?

DS1 started karate on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:15-7. This makes my evening crunch even more tough. I get home from between 4:30 and 5:30 and need to feed everyone and get out the door by 6. He is really enjoying it so I have to get my shit together so these nights go smoother.

3. Did you get in any family-time or me-time in this week?

I really need some *me* time. Does thinking about scheduling a massage count? I am working at home today and DH should be getting home early. We are going to surprise DS1 when he gets off the bus and go out for pizza and get a Halloween costume.

4. Last week, it seemed that many people said that the time between getting home from work and bedtime is the most challenging time of day. Any tips to help that time go more smoothly?

I need help in this area for sure. I know meal planning/prepping would make my life so much easier but its hard for me to get started. I need to start utilizing my crock pot again too.

My other big issue is trying to get homework and story time. Its impossible to do story time with both kids at the same time.. My big is learning to read so it takes a lot of concentration and LO is usually rolling around trying to eat the book. So mom fail: lately I have been doing story time for LO one night and story time for DS1 the next night.

5. Plans for the weekend?

DH is working this weekend so the boys and are going to visit him. Its over an hour drive one way so we don't get to see him at work very often. There is a huge children's clothing and purse consignment sale up there this weekend so hopefully we can score some good stuff! I am off Monday and Tuesday as well so I am hoping to accomplish some house cleaning and random crafting projects.

ramfan05 · October 2014

@mummypig, I'm glad to hear that you and your DH are getting along better. It can be so awkward to have the conversation, but it's almost always worthwhile. I hope it keeps getting better for you two!

@cara5565, I know what you mean about your MIL cleaning for you. My mom cleans for a living and has offered a couple of times to come help out with things. I took her up on it a few times when I was pregnant, but really it's kind of embarrassing and makes me feel like she thinks I can't do it myself, or am not doing a good enough job. Which, of course, has nothing to do with it. Just my own issues, I guess

@mamosey, good for you for hiring someone to come clean! I'm with you - it's not like me to have a messy house, and it drives me nuts! The problem is not so much that it's dirty, but messy. We need to get stuff put away. It's just an organization issue that I'm working on solving, but of course it takes 5 million times longer because there is no time! Although, having someone come by and vacuum wouldn't be terrible

@WildFlower26, happy birthday to your DD! DS just turned 4, and it is just so fun to watch your baby grow into this little person with interests and thoughts and opinions! Enjoy it!

@TessyMessy, that is not a mom fail at all! You are doing what works for your family at this time! I feel the same way about things from time to time, and then I have to step back and tell myself that DD won't always be this needy, and wiggly, and trying to eat books (

) and that someday, things will just kind of fall into place and into a new routine. Someday, DS will be reading more fluently and DD will be a little older, and you'll all be able to have storytime together again. You're doing a great job!

boogerbearoriginal · October 2014

@tessymessy - give the baby a book to chew while you read a different book?

1. Successes/Celebrations this week? LO1 has been a breeze at dropoffs lately. Makes life so much less stressful to leave a happy kid playing at daycare.

2. Biggest challenge this week? LO1 is struggling with overnight pee. He hates wearing diapers, but doesn't always wake to pee. Most nights he holds it all night, and once he woke up and peed in the middle of the night. But occasionally he pees at night. Bleh.

3. Did you get in any family-time or me-time in this week? Just family dinner. Me time is my pump breaks during the week lol.

4. Last week, it seemed that many people said that the time between getting home from work and bedtime is the most challenging time of day. Any tips to help that time go more smoothly? Tips I've found help - plan dinners that are quick to throw together, and do prep work ahead of time. Or cook dinner night before so all you have to do is warm it and eat when you get home. Divide/conquer when possible - so one person cooks while the other plays with kids and then switch after dinner and one person cleans while the other starts bedtime stuff.

5. Plans for the weekend? Nothing much, there's a local pumpkin fest going on we may go check out. They have hay rides, cider, donuts, etc. Looks like it could be fun.

hammysmommy · October 2014

1. Successes/Celebrations this week? Ditto @Mamosey's "I don't think I have any. It was a really hard week."

2. Biggest challenge this week? G's been sick so, not sleeping. Waking up at least twice an hour, all night from 8p-630a, just to whine/cryout/get his binky back and then back to sleep. A couple times he needed (it seemed to me) to be picked up and soothed before being laid back down. Sick baby=no sleep for momma andplusalso he gave me his lovely cold.

3. Did you get in any family-time or me-time in this week? Sort of? H and I had a little argument this weekend, which started from one of his PA snarky comments about cleaning and ended with his "Sorry I don't make more $" - because yes, that's what I'm upset about smfh. So after family time on Sunday (Chowder Challenge) he and DSD went out to run some errands and over-tired-crankypants finally fell asleep for a nap, so I got about 40minutes of "me" time... H must have felt bad, otherwise he's trying to make himself out as a martyr (not sure) because I also got to go out to dinner with the girls last night for the first time since G was born!

4. Last week, it seemed that many people said that the time between getting home from work and bedtime is the most challenging time of day. Any tips to help that time go more smoothly? Only have a meltdown over the weekend so that your partner realizes you need their help? Not the best way to do it, but he made serious effort this past week to have G's bottles & solids ready for dinner when I got home.

5. Plans for the weekend? I need to return/exchange some clothes that MIL bought for G that are either the wrong size for the season or just plain ugly. Other than that, we're invited to DSD's mom's mom's surprise birthday party, but I really don't want to go... I am sick (see above cold) - , so maybe I'll miss it

hammysmommy · October 2014

Thanks @cara5565 I think he's breaking through it finally - less stuffy/whiney

Comically, H thought G was extra ornery this morning and suggested I give him some Infant Tylenol because of his cold... like it was going to magically unstuff/unbooger his li'l nose. Seriously dude? You had DSD by.your.self like half time, do you seriously not remember that InfantTylenol is just pain/fever reducer? Oy.

ramfan05 · October 2014

@hammysmommy, sorry that LO is not feeling well! I hope he is back to himself soon and sleeping better for you at night!

ramfan05 · October 2014

@boogerbearoriginal, DS has been doing pretty well with overnights lately too, but has had a handful of accidents. Getting up to change sheets in the middle of the night is not my idea of a good time! Not to mention that when he wakes up and calls for me, he almost always wakes up DD in the process.

(

ramfan05 · October 2014

@Avswolf, I agree on the challenge of finding time for me and DH to just be a couple. We are doing this love calendar for October with different things to do each day. Some of them are simple, some are more involved. We agreed that we are not going to stress about doing all of them, but that it gives us some good ideas and keeps us thinking about doing things for one another, texting throughout the day (about things other than the kids all the time), etc.

@elf828, I'd say getting all of your milk home was a huge success! I know this week was hard for you and I'm so glad you are going to get some good family time this weekend!

ramfan05 · October 2014

@adinashoshana‌ that is so great that you were able to reconnect with DH like that. I hope you get some time to relax this weekend!

@greenbunny79, I hope you have a great time on your trip! That sounds like fun, even if you do have to work for part of it!

@anji1820, happy to do it

I know what you mean about the lack of sleep leaving you with less patience for your kids at school. I'm in the same boat. Not sure what to do about it, but just wanted you to know that you're not alone! Oh, and I've taught 4th grade at my school for 5 years, but this year the whole rest of the team is new people (with the exception of one other girl who stuck around). They are all the type to each lunch in the classroom, whereas our team in the past has always tried to eat together. I find myself going back to my room and working when I should be taking a break!

flightview · October 2014

1. Successes/Celebrations this week? Last week I posted about no-spend October, it's been working so far, but I unexpectedly got a raise this week! My boss said he can see how hard I work, and I deserve it. It was so nice to be appreciated.

2. Biggest challenge this week? Finding time for studying/homework at home.

3. Did you get in any family-time or me-time in this week? After realizing last week I have not been putting time aside for myself, I started reading at night before bed. It means I get a little less sleep, but I forgot how much I enjoy it.

4. Last week, it seemed that many people said that the time between getting home from work and bedtime is the most challenging time of day. Any tips to help that time go more smoothly? I love the idea of prepping dinner on weekends for the week!

5. Plans for the weekend? Catching up on cleaning and laundry, then of course football on Sunday, although our team (Vikings) got slaughtered last night.

ramfan05 · October 2014

@flightview, I would love to spend more time reading! I have a couple of books on my nightstand, but I never go upstairs early enough to actually read them because I'm too tired by the time I go to bed. You've inspired me to try to make some time to open a book this week

Congratulations on the raise! That is fantastic news, and that much more that you and DH can save in no-spend October!!

ramfan05 · October 2014

anji1820 said:

@ramfan05 At my old school we all ate lunch together and it was so nice to have adult conversation! It's been an adjustment at this school. I was working during lunch until this week when I made myself take 1/2 hour to read or Bump. It's been helpful, although I do miss eating lunch with other people. Sorry you're in the same boat!

I know, it's such a bummer, isn't it?? The weather's been so nice lately, maybe I'll just go sit out at the picnic tables by myself next Monday and see if anyone joins me

If not, at least I'll get some quiet time!

flightview · October 2014

Thank you @ramfan05‌

I read my kindle in bed...M still sleeps in a crib in our room, so the kindle is nice because it illuminates. I hope you get some me time!

Want a personalized experience?

Working Moms Check In

Re: Working Moms Check In

Choose Another Board

Search Boards