New job working full time! How do I fit everything in?

meema4788

I have finally found myself the most fantastic job, it's what I've been waiting for for years! The only downside is it's full time - the upside is it's term time only! For the last 11 years I have worked part time and always had time to do stuffs what's worrying me is how I'm going to fit all my housework, cooking, being a mum to 2 fab boys, a good wife and everything else in.

I'm worrying that I won't be able to be as good at home any more because I want have the same time!

Any advice/suggestions that could help me to have my cake and eat it ie be a good mum/wife and do my fab job would be fab!

I'm not that good at routines etc at home I just have always done things as I've thought they need doing. Would love to know how other mums manage, I'm not the first or the last to come across this situation I'm sure! Xxx

Gigervamp

If you're going to be working full time, why is it your job to do the housework and cooking? Surely it should be shared with your husband?

Buzzybee90

meema4788 wrote: »

I have finally found myself the most fantastic job, it's what I've been waiting for for years! The only downside is it's full time - the upside is it's term time only! For the last 11 years I have worked part time and always had time to do stuffs what's worrying me is how I'm going to fit all my housework, cooking, being a mum to 2 fab boys, a good wife and everything else in.

I'm worrying that I won't be able to be as good at home any more because I want have the same time!

Any advice/suggestions that could help me to have my cake and eat it ie be a good mum/wife and do my fab job would be fab!

I'm not that good at routines etc at home I just have always done things as I've thought they need doing. Would love to know how other mums manage, I'm not the first or the last to come across this situation I'm sure! Xxx

Most people work full time, the world won't end.

If you're worried about tea then batch cook, prep in the morning or evening before.

With the housework try and do a bit every night/ morning then a big one at the weekend. As there's a husband and children involved then make sure they do their bit and I'm sure you'll be fine.

duchy

It's a trade off.
You are working to contribute to a better standard of living for your family .
It's a team game. If your kids have never helped around the house -it's time they did -same with your husband.
Plenty of Mums single or not work full-time - How do you think they manage ?
Focus on maintenance of the housework in term time and deep cleans and big clear outs in the school holidays but there are four of you so there is no reason why you should be the one doing it all . Even the smallest child can put their clothes away in a washing basket , tidy toys and older ones can have jobs like helping with prep or loading the dishwasher and keeping their own rooms tidy and hoovered at the very least (their future wives will thank you too )
There is no reason if you work fulltime that you should be doing all the catchingup at the weekend at the expense of family time when in everyone pulls their weight in the week you all get to enjoy the weekends together.

Spendless

What will your hours be, how old are your boys and what's your husband's work pattern?

My husband works away for 40% of the working week, so even on the weeks I do f-time hours with the best will in the world, he can't help out on those days.

The 2 areas, I find build up the most and are the most time consuming to tackle are the washing (laundry and all related tasks) and the washing up (meal preparation and everything related). If I get a build up, that's the 2 areas I tackle first.

I found grocery shopping was eating too much into our free time, so I now go when youngest is at an after school activity.

meema4788

My hours are 8-4. My husband leaves home about 6.45am and gets home around 6. My boys are 7 & 11. Xxx

Seanymph

I am interested to see your replies as long as they aren't 'you cope the same as everyone else'.

I'm one of those who doesn't!

So, any top tips will be brilliant.

My first one is that I get up with my husband, which is horribly early, and make sure the dishwasher/washing etc is all done and if it's a nice day when I got to work the washing is already out.

I also do a list of dinners on a sunday, and make sure I know what I have in and what I need to buy on the way home. Some are slow cooker dinners, which I pop on in the morning, some are quick meals (frozen pizza)...

Those two bits seem to save me from the worst of myself.

Spendless

meema4788 wrote: »

My hours are 8-4. My husband leaves home about 6.45am and gets home around 6. My boys are 7 & 11. Xxx

Your mornings sound like they will be busier then. Do you need/have you sorted childcare for youngest? I'm assuming the eldest is going to Secondary if not already there. Does he have his route sorted out for getting there and back?.

Everyone needs to sort their own stuff for mornings. Maybe you have organised kids (if so, I'm envious ) but they need to know that the responsibility lies with them to get their own things together especially if they've been used to saying 'Muuummm I've forgot....' if you've always had time to go back and retrieve it before.

Your eldest is still likely to need some support for the first week or two, if he's going into yr7. When my eldest went to Secondary school, my husband somehow expected him to wake up knowing how to back books, despite him never been shown before???

Your finish time is better though, hopefully it'll be quieter getting home without rush hour traffice, which happens from 5pm where I am.

Spendless

Seanymph wrote: »

I also do a list of dinners on a sunday, and make sure I know what I have in and what I need to buy on the way home. Some are slow cooker dinners, which I pop on in the morning, some are quick meals (frozen pizza)....

You have older teens don't you? Do you eat as a family, or do the kids help themselves before you get in? This is an area I struggle with.

whichwhydoIturn

Team effort is the way .
I'm not good in the mornings as I have pets to feed get ready for work n sleep poorly .
Yep I live on my own but that me means I gave to do it I my own .
My solution... I plan meals , shopping online , wash work clothes on Thursday as it's dress down Friday & do an hour a day tidy as well as dailies
I used to be working single mum n we d chip in together , daily is def the way though so that you have time for yourself n family.
X

trailingspouse

Once you've worked out how to do it, please tell the rest of us!!

My kids are all up and away now (and relax...) - but when they were younger it was a case of always playing catch up.

A couple of things that helped me - have a notice at the front door for each child with a list of what they need each day for their school/after school activities - eg Monday swimming gear, Tuesday water bottle and football boots, Wednesday ballet shoes, sandwiches etc. Then make it their responsibility to check that they've got what they need.

On a Saturday morning we would have a 'mad half hour' where the whole family would tidy and clean like crazy. We set the timer on the cooker, and stopped at the end of the half hour - it's amazing how much two adults and two competitive children can get done in half an hour!!

Stop seeing yourself as the one who does it all, and start seeing yourself as the one who organises it all instead.