Working mums, how do you do it?!

marisco_2

Develop a taste for extremely strong coffee

The above was meant as a joke, though at times it has helped, short term at least. Make sure you look after yourself, eat well, keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Get as much rest as you can. Delegate at home so you are not working, raising the kids, doing all the washing, ironing, cooking, cleaning and shopping. If you have a supportive partner then this can ease alot of strain. Pull together and share the load.

Sometimes when you are working and have tiny children you just have to keep going and force yourself through a day. When my two were tiny I use to pop out to my car during lunch and take a half hour cat nap. I could not physically have kept going otherwise. I grew to hate the sound of the alarm on my mobile phone, which sent me back into work. One day I was so exhausted I forgot to set the alarm and the caretaker found me, waking me up by knocking on the car window. I have never lived that down.

When things are at there toughest and you are struggling through a day, having had barely any sleep, bare in mind that it is all a phase. Quicker than you can imagine kids start sleeping through and become easier to raise. Every age has its own challenges of course but it does get easier. That is what kept me sane at times anyway

suki1001

I've just got a cleaner in. Fed up of doing the lions share of the housework and working full time just got me down that I had to get someone in. Mine are older though and me and hubby work from home, so we are lucky that our income isn't swallowed up in other ways, but I really wish I'd done it when they were younger.

They don't mind a bit of mess either - bless em

SUESMITH_2

mine are grown up now but they survived!

oh used to work away a lot so it was just me usually doing it.

i used to: get all morning stuff done the night before, that included pack ups and all the clothes we were wearing next day. all bags packed. stuff out of freezer and tea prepped for day after

in the morning i used to get up 15 mins before them, have a quick cup of tea and my breakfast in peace which was hard as i hate getting up but it was the only peace i got.

quick breakfast for them, dressed and out.

when we got back tea was thrown in the oven and finished off while they played, dished up, eaten, maybe another quick play and then bed with a story.

and then it all started again.....

just writing that made me feel tired but i lived through it and so did they. i did feel worn out most of the time. it does get easier when they go to school especially if like mine they went to before and after school club where if need be they could have breakfast and a good snack after school so it took the pressure off

eventually i got a job in a school so at least i got school hols off!

good luck, if i can do it (the worlds most disorganised person) you can too

miffyhugmuffin

Thanks for the advice everyone. Packed lunch done, change bag ready for childminder, mine and my daughter's clothes for tomorrow laid out and ready.

Yes, it would be nice to have a flexible, understanding boss but mine is anything but. She refused my (very reasonable) flexible working request which has left a bad taste in my mouth to be honest. Also I am going back to do a different, and harder, job (not my choice) as the job that I did and loved before maternity leave no longer exists.

I guess I am concerned about what my quality of life is going to be like for the next few years, seems it's all work, babycare and tiredness

Just hope we get some sleep tonight!

meer53

miffyhugmuffin wrote: »

Thanks for the advice everyone. Packed lunch done, change bag ready for childminder, mine and my daughter's clothes for tomorrow laid out and ready.

Yes, it would be nice to have a flexible, understanding boss but mine is anything but. She refused my (very reasonable) flexible working request which has left a bad taste in my mouth to be honest. Also I am going back to do a different, and harder, job (not my choice) as the job that I did and loved before maternity leave no longer exists.

I guess I am concerned about what my quality of life is going to be like for the next few years, seems it's all work, babycare and tiredness

Just hope we get some sleep tonight!

You're right to be concerned. Thats exactly what it will be like, but it becomes the norm. No need to worry about it.

When i used to find myself feeling sorry for myself, i made myself think about how much worse it could have been. I have friends who have a child with severe physical and mental disabilities, and their life will NEVER be the same again. At least once my kids are grown up and have flown the nest, i will have my own life back (hopefully!) My friends will never have this chance. I was 43 when my daughter was born (she's 12 now) she was a huge surprise, and i'm just so grateful that she is perfect in every way. Well as perfect as a 12 year old can be It could all have been so very different for me.

It helps to remember that babies grow up far too fast, one day you'll wish you could turn back the clock.

choccybuttons

Hi

I was a ft working mum of 2 under 4 until recently (pregnant with no 3 so now pt). Honestly you just cope with the tiredness - coffee morning and a diet coke mid afternoon help lol. Get yourself to bed early too esp if u know its going to be a bad night. Iv often been in bed by 8pm once got the kids tucked up.

Make your life easy as possible. Plan meals, batch cook and accept your house might not be as clean/tidy as it once was.

miffyhugmuffin

fannyadams wrote: »

wait til you have more than one!
--
have you tried giving your LO pineapple juice to control the snot monsters?

We are stopping at one! Thanks for the pineapple tip

kj*daisy

You manage somehow, and you have a new found respect for those colleagues with children and how they have managed to function in the workplace. It's amazing how tired you can be and keep on going at work - I've done it 11 years now - part time - it's the part time that makes it bearable! Good luck, it will be fine!

sunshine_1988

Hi OP

I recently returned to work, end of November last year. My LO was 9months old, Ill be honest-I was dreading it, spent many hours in tears beforehand as I just didnt want to go.

We are now in a different routine, and its not too bad. Mines not a good sleeper either, rarely makes it through the night. I get everything ready the night before for us all, bag for nursery, clothes for me and LO, OH does our lunches and I have a bath/shower the night before so I have a bit more time in the morning.

Mornings are still a struggle, LO has breakfast at nursery so once me and him are dressed I bring him down with me and he sits with me while I do my hair and make up quickly. He usually has a small bit of my toast too, as it keeps him quiet while I finish off. OH gives him his milk while I have a quick tidy round and then we go.

You do just cope being tired, I find it really helps having an understanding team too, there are 4 of us with LOs in my team. Most nights I rush around washing, ironing etc...but its worth it in the end. I couldnt not work as we couldnt afford it, and it does mean I have spare cash left over to treat me and LO on a friday when we are both off

Let us know how you go xxxxx

SUESMITH_2

totally agree that if you have understanding people working with you that it is much easier especially if their kids are older and they have done it too - they understand why you may be upset if mornings haven't gone well, or you are surviving on no sleep - my boss once literally made me go home and signed my card so i would get paid (lovely chap that he was). i worked so much harder for him cos he was fab

i now mainly work with people who have young children and always try and be kind and helpful even if that only means holding the tissues while they weep cos they haven't slept for days.

would it be worth in a few months looking for something else?

like i said before, you will be fine!