Working mums, How do you do it?

squirrelchops

Mrs Tine I completely agree!!!!

I don't or should I say we don't have children yet as I have been studying and qualify this year but OH and I have agreed that given the amount of our combined wages it would be a benefit to pay for a cleaner a couple of hours a week to give us more time together. OH works long hours on night shift and my work will be full on too.....I am currently doing my job in a student role and it is exhausting now!!!!!!

Goodness knows how we would cope adding a child into the equation but then again I do now......you just do!!!!!!!

Courgette

frostyspice wrote: »

I see you're a teacher - out of interest, how much teaching-related work do you do out of school? (I'm a new-ish one struggling with the workload and home stuff)

I try to treat the job like a M-F 9-6 job, as in I do everything I can do at school, don't work at weekends unless it's an emergency (coursework marking time for example). The best decision I ever made for our family was not to bring work home especially at weekends. I'm fairly new too, M2

However, regarding the original question I don't feel like I do manage to balance everything (especially at the mo as I'm 10 weeks pregnant and knackered). I think it's a question of priorities - as long as we're fed and clean and happy then that's enough for me

amandada

I usually work part time but do the occasional stint of full time, on shifts for a couple of months at a time.
When I'm doing full time, I have a cleaner for a couple of hours a week, and dh takes on more of the chores which I usually do when I'm working part time.
I actually find it easier to be organised when I'm full time than I do when I'm part time-it must be because I know I have very limited time to do things, whereas when I'm working part time I'm the world's greatest procrastinator!

redstararnie76

Put simply - I prioritise and if something isn't a high enough priority it may not get done!

Both my husband and I work full-time, in my case 8.30am to 5pm Mon-Frid, and we have a 4 year old. I think we manage relatively well, don't think anyone's reported us to environmental health yet! However, we're probably not as house proud as some other people.

My biggest challenge is yet to come - I'm currently pregnant and my daughter is due to start school in September, and at the moment I really don't know how I'm going to cope - just found out that daughter hasn't gotten in to any of our three preferred schools (which had before and after school care), so now I'm panicing as I'm desperately trying to find an alternative, and most of the other schools are only open 9-3.15pm. Right now, I have no idea how I am meant to keep working fulltime and cope with those hours!

So.... ask me again in 6 months time and I may have another answer!

sandiep

Yep, pretty much the same. A cleaner for 2 1/2 hours a week to do bathrooms and hoover under the sofa etc. And and all the stuff that you can get away with doing once a week.

On a daily basis, a load of washing goes on most mornings, and dried on airers overnight, so no tumble drying stuff.

Dishwasher is strictly monitored, and kept right up. Soon as it's full - whack it on!

A 10 minute tidy up and hoover round of the sitting room and hallway every day. Usually after tea, then I get to sit down in a nice tidy calm room when the kids are in bed.

Kids have to have an end of day tidyup in their rooms. I found that with the kids it's keeping on top of the clothes, clean clothes in the wardrobe, dirty ones in the washing bin, none left lying around.

Kitchen gets properly tidyed up after each meal.

Batch cooking and some meal planning. I always cook at least twice as much bolognaise mix as I need, always cook a much bigger chicken than I need, both of those give me a tea that takes 10 minutes worth of prep time the next day (spag bol mix gets frozen). Lots of use of my slow cooker. I always plan what i'm having for tea the night before so that anything frozen can defrost.

I don't answer the phone between 5pm and 7pm unless it's my sister. Anyone else can wait.

Day off with the kids at the weekend.

My house is generally clean rather than immaculate, and normally in the state that a 20minute tidy up by the whole family would see it very decent.

We recently had it on the market, and each time I would allow myself an hour and a half to give it the immaculate sparkle clean up before viewings (and put half of the stuff in the shed!!) So it can't be that bad!

I think the key is not to have too high expectations. There is always an element of mess and clutter, but then I have 2 young children so there is always going to be. Secret is not to get too stressed about it all.

sandiep

Oh, i forgot. Hubby does most of the Ironing!!

coco1980

redstararnie76 wrote: »

Put simply - I prioritise and if something isn't a high enough priority it may not get done!

Both my husband and I work full-time, in my case 8.30am to 5pm Mon-Frid, and we have a 4 year old. I think we manage relatively well, don't think anyone's reported us to environmental health yet! However, we're probably not as house proud as some other people.

My biggest challenge is yet to come - I'm currently pregnant and my daughter is due to start school in September, and at the moment I really don't know how I'm going to cope - just found out that daughter hasn't gotten in to any of our three preferred schools (which had before and after school care), so now I'm panicing as I'm desperately trying to find an alternative, and most of the other schools are only open 9-3.15pm. Right now, I have no idea how I am meant to keep working fulltime and cope with those hours!

So.... ask me again in 6 months time and I may have another answer!

My son goes to after school and they pick up from other schools in the area, is this an option? what about a private childminder( I am in Scotland so not sure if its the same) my friend does this and watches certain children before and after school.

My worst point came when I was asked to attend a meeting in ds school on a set day every week and when I told them I couldn't due to work, i was told to prioritise whatever cme first in my life work or my son. this made me feel like the worst mother in the world but I now realize I can not be the only person in this situation:o

redstararnie76

coco1980 wrote: »

My son goes to after school and they pick up from other schools in the area, is this an option? what about a private childminder( I am in Scotland so not sure if its the same) my friend does this and watches certain children before and after school.

Hi Coco, many thanks for the suggestions; the problem is that many of the schools that we are now having to consider (the only ones still with places) are quite rural, so although I know of at least 1 place in the town where I work, they won't collect from these schools. I am currently looking into childminders at the moment, and hoping that we can find someone prepared to look after her, especially before school which is looking really problematic.

Edited to add; I know what you mean about feeling like a bad mother, I found it hard to even arrange to look around one school, as they kept insisting that it was best to visit the school on a particular Thursday morning and I had to attend a conference on that particular day.... It's like when nursery ring to say that my daughter has a temperature and can I collect her now, I feel like I can't win - either I'm a crap mother, or I'm a crap employee.

larmy16

Oh my goodness ladies, I really do sympathise with your problems and am also in full time work - as a cleaner!!!!!!!

My own home is always bordering on chaos. I am so tired from keeping everyone elses home in a reasonable state, that I can barely stand to do any kind of cleaning when I get home.

I shall be reading this thread with great interest.

Pinky15

Yep - I find it a huge struggle. I have 3 little ones and work only part time and find it exhausting. DH works away much of the time.
I get up at 6.45 - packed lunches, shower & slap, kids up, fed & dresses - stick washer on. Clear & clean table. Get everyone off to various places eg school, childminder. Go straight to work. Get in 1pm after collecting baby. Spent half hour change, cuddle then down for a nap. I then skip lunch, catch up on emails, phone calls etc. Sort washing, check meal planner. I wake baby, change collect kids 3 ish. I then do teas, change for clubs etc. Homework reading, bags for school - my god it is never ending and in Dec I decided enough was enough! My house is tidy but by no means immaculate and I too spend time trying to catch up on a weekend. You will never win as a mummy! x