Working mums, how do you do it?!

jackomdj

flashnazia wrote: »

The 'OH' should be helping too. Without that it will be difficult.

OH's are not always around though. When mine were little OH was working away, he would go Sunday afternoon and come back Fri eve.

I found being organised helped. Mornings were relatively simple as I had all the clothes, breakfast stuff ready. When they were poorly it was a bit different but I made sure I got them into routines as early as possible so I had time in the evenings to do stuff (often just housework, but it meant the weekends were family time)

LannieDuck

OH is a SAHD, but even so I'm exhausted. I get very little time to myself at weekends (and I want to spend time with LO anyway) and LO still isn't sleeping through the night (16 months).

I've been back at work full-time for 6 months now, and it's really starting to catch up with me. Just got to keep going and get her sleeping better.

minimoneysaver

Being mega organised helps. I also use my iphone for reminders. I beeps at me all of the time, but it really helps me to remember to do everything. I only work part time due to a genetic syndrome. My memory is the worst!!

Gillby1

Hi Miffyhugmuffin,

How are you feeling about returning to work itself? I've returned to my job twice now, following two lots of maternity leave, and both times was dreading it. However, within a couple of days i felt like i'd barely been away, and was surprised to find I enjoyed the chance to hold adult conversations and to have to odd, uninterrupted cup of tea! Also, although my job can be demanding at times, i genuinely find it easier than being at home with two young boys, and i appreciate time spent with the children so much more at the weekends!

I do feel like there aren't enough hours in the day, however, as i drop the kids at nursery and commute to work, and am out of the house for 11 hours during a working day. Usually, just as i feel I've finally caught up with sleep, washing, cleaning and cooking and earnt a quiet, housework free weekend, one of the kids will come down with a bug and it all goes to pot. I think i just try to accept that being over-worked and constantly knackered is part of early motherhood, and attempt to keep a sense of humour at all times. It'll get easier when they get older, right?!!

As others have said, being organised really saves on stress. I get clothes, nursery bags and breakfast things ready the night before (mine and the kids!), and always get up ten minutes earlier than i think i need to, as someone will always spill a drink/need a nappy change/have a meltdown just before we need to leave the house!

I really hope it all goes well. Look forward to hearing how you're getting on in a week's time!

Gill x

sassyblue

You can get through on surprisingly little sleep for a while, you've done the hardest bit, the 4 hourly feeds when LO was a baby. The odd night or two of little sleep you just get on with.

Being organised is key, shop online and get groceries delivered, do laundry at night and get the clothes on airers (or on the line) in the morning, a quick swipe round with disposable cleaning wipes takes care of the bathroom after you've showered/bathed, toilet cleaner down the loo last thing at night.

If you do a roast for Sunday dinner get a bigger joint and the leftover meat can be used with a salad or in something else for a quick tea.

Clothes out the night before and do the sandwiches and leave in the fridge, part make up lunch boxes with fruit, little choccy bar, the things that won't hurt to be left out.

It only takes one thing like an ill child to throw everything out of kilter but you soon get back into the routine. I try not to get stressed anymore as it doesn't help.

meer53

I went back to work when my daughter was 9 months old. She didn't sleep through the night until she was 2 and a half ! My son was 13 years old at the time too, who i had to take to school before i went to work. I also ran my husbands business, did all the invoicing, accounts, VAT etc in my "spare" time !

If you worry about it, you will find it hard. Just do it, you have to deal with it day by day. Some days will be good, some will be bad but it's not forever !

FBaby

I went back to work full-time, with a travel time to work for 1hour and 15 minutes mornings and evenings when my daughter was 9 months old and woke up screaming most nights, needing to be rocked and cuddled for many long minutes. She only wanted me to comfort her so couldn't even get her father to help. It was very very hard, but somehow, you learn to adjust, just have no life. i used to go to bed at 9pm and my week-ends consisted of an constant obsessive desire to rest and sleep. It went on until she was 14 months old (it turned out that she wasn't digesting fibre properly so was suffering from horrid cramp) when I camped in my GP office and told him that I wouldn't get out until he accepted it wasn't 'just colic' and gave her something to help. Unfortunately, even though she got better, the bad habit was set and she didn't sleep through the night until she was 3. Still, I didn't need to rock her back and forth through my hallway longer and that was luxury!

In the end, you do what you have to do. I had to work, I had to cope.

flutterby_lil

tara747 wrote: »

???????????

My maternity leave officially ended yesterday but I get 4 weeks leave to take and 9 bank holidays, hence why I said I am not back til March....27th to be precise.

Is that ok with you now?!

tara747

flutterby_lil wrote: »

My maternity leave officially ended yesterday but I get 4 weeks leave to take and 9 bank holidays, hence why I said I am not back til March....27th to be precise.

Is that ok with you now?!

Yes, thanks. Your first post made no sense at all. I only put in so many question marks because MSE demand a minimum of ten characters in a reply.

And no need to be so touchy.

fannyadams

TRY really hard not to use caffeinated drinks if you are still Breastfeeding as it'll go straight in the milk and a baby hopped up on caffeine won't sleep however much you rock it (voice of experience much?).
seconding/thirding the get organised mantra and the do everything when you first get in like dinner on, bags unpacked/packed up again, pack up made, handbag and everything at your 'take off station' is ready to go. slightly earlier night *should* take the edge off and remember an hour before midnight is worth two after.
you'll manage, we all did/do and our kidz turn(ed) out OK. remember it's not forever (even if it feels like it) and as everyone has said yu've got through the worst bit the 3 hourly feeds when she was very little...
wait til you have more than one!
--
have you tried giving your LO pineapple juice to control the snot monsters?
{{{{{hugs}}}}}
You'll make it!