Working Mummies Support Group

[Astrid]

Kazbah - I was fairly similar when DD1 was going 2 days a week, it was easy then to have childcare specific clothes. Now, with DD2 going 5 days, almost everything is for childcare, except for a few outfits.

Made the big decision today to see if MIL will come over for the school holidays. Way to busy time for me and I really need to be able to work longer days (currently 9-3) and all 5 days. DD1 does not want to go to Vacation care as it is very hit and miss whether she knows any of the other kids. I could organise a couple of play dates for her to break it up, but hate relying on that just so I can work. We can fly her over for the same cost as Vacation care (after CCB and CCR). Seeing that work will always be busy with this lot of school holidays, we may need to make it a permanent arrangement.

[Beautiful Disaster]

Well that went soooo fast. Was good day

[purplepixie1978]

Glad you had a good day Kylz.

Mak I find the same thing since the "Winter Menu" started at daycare. DD loves it. But oh man the day after chilli con carne... jeepers.

[AlligatorsMum]

Well I start work next week and my DS started daycare today. He apparently went well with his sleeps but decided to go on a hunger strike! I feed him at home 7am and then he didn't fed again until 1230pm!! Missed a whole feed - clearly he was starving by then lol. The rang and told me @ 12 that he hadnt eaten and I just said I'll be there in 5 - poor little guy! By my hubby talked me into leaving him and going to get him when we had planned at 130pm and I'm so glad he did. Hopefully tnrw will go even better.

It's hard but I guess I know deep down that if he is really hungry he will eat or if he is really upset they will tell me that he really needs me.

[~clover~]

Hi guys
I was supposed to start back at work today. But the weather has other idea's. We just had 4 or so weeks off.
I think I've got it kinda easy, long as I'm organised. I work from home cooking. I do about 4 hours a day average, 7 days a week, weather permitting (cook for shearer's, if it rains they don't work, so i don't work).
So I can still bf DD when ever she needs, but if I'm not on top of my house from the minute the girls get up at 7.15, the whole day is a write off. DS has school 2 days a week & DD is home full time. Its busy, but I'm so much better at life/organisation when I'm busy!

[wysiwyg]

I have recently returned to work - a mix of full-time and part-time depending on the week - I only have childcare for children three days a week but got my mum over from the UK to cover the other two days as I am only on a five month contract so the solution is half doable. The first couple of weeks before mum arrived hard - I have to get the kids to day care for about 7:40 and then get public transport to work to start around 8:45-8:50. DH does the pick up as he finishes at 16:30 so the kids get home about 5:40 ish and me about 6:00 if I get a good run home. With mum here is a bit easier as she does pick up and drop off most days but she is off to Darwin for a month next week for a break and to see my grandma - we only have a two bed flat so she is sharing with kids so is pretty intense. DS sometimes wakes and she has been resettling him if is quick but otherwise I am doing it. The weeks where I have worked full-time are hard, I feel like I never see them, and have had to go to Sydney twice once was away 3 days 2 nights - the three days a week are not so bad, but I still feel so so tired but am having more difficulty sleeping than I normally do.

I actually really enjoy the work, far more than I thought I would , I was a bit down in the dumps before (took me three months to find anything), and if a teleporter existed to get me too and from work in zero time and was definitely only 3 days a week - would be really good. I am getting more exercise as can cycle, or walk part of the journey, work do a bootcamp in the park one lunchtime, and I love the free fruit, and free good coffee, and the chatting without interruption.

DH has always cooked up meals for freezer for his lunch - so now is just doing the same for me and we have a smaller meal in the evening which works well. If I haven't worked a day I make enough for a couple of meals and restack the freezer. When mum isn't here the house is a shambles but never was that great anyway.

What I am struggling with really is that it isn't really giving us any financial benefit because of childcare fees and this is with only 3 days a week in CC - it would be alot more with 5 days, and I worry that after this contract I will have to do that. I never wanted to have to have them in fulltime CC especially the long days they do - but worry it will be my only option. People often say "must be great to have some money" but really isn't giving us much after the fees - I suppose I am doing it because I fear ability of being able to renter the workforce if I stay at home for longer.

Is anyone else in this position? Working but probably would be better off short-term at least if didn't?

[wysiwyg]

I have recently returned to work - a mix of full-time and part-time depending on the week - I only have childcare for children three days a week but got my mum over from the UK to cover the other two days as I am only on a five month contract so the solution is half doable. The first couple of weeks before mum arrived hard - I have to get the kids to day care for about 7:40 and then get public transport to work to start around 8:45-8:50. DH does the pick up as he finishes at 16:30 so the kids get home about 5:40 ish and me about 6:00 if I get a good run home. With mum here is a bit easier as she does pick up and drop off most days but she is off to Darwin for a month next week for a break and to see my grandma - we only have a two bed flat so she is sharing with kids so is pretty intense. DS sometimes wakes and she has been resettling him if is quick but otherwise I am doing it. The weeks where I have worked full-time are hard, I feel like I never see them, and have had to go to Sydney twice once was away 3 days 2 nights - the three days a week are not so bad, but I still feel so so tired but am having more difficulty sleeping than I normally do.

I actually really enjoy the work, far more than I thought I would , I was a bit down in the dumps before (took me three months to find anything), and if a teleporter existed to get me too and from work in zero time and was definitely only 3 days a week - would be really good. I am getting more exercise as can cycle, or walk part of the journey, work do a bootcamp in the park one lunchtime, and I love the free fruit, and free good coffee, and the chatting without interruption.

DH has always cooked up meals for freezer for his lunch - so now is just doing the same for me and we have a smaller meal in the evening which works well. If I haven't worked a day I make enough for a couple of meals and restack the freezer. When mum isn't here the house is a shambles but never was that great anyway.

What I am struggling with really is that it isn't really giving us any financial benefit because of childcare fees and this is with only 3 days a week in CC - it would be alot more with 5 days, and I worry that after this contract I will have to do that. I never wanted to have to have them in fulltime CC especially the long days they do - but worry it will be my only option. People often say "must be great to have some money" but really isn't giving us much after the fees - I suppose I am doing it because I fear ability of being able to renter the workforce if I stay at home for longer.

Is anyone else in this position? Working but probably would be better off short-term at least if didn't?

[veus]

Wysiwyg: I'm in similar situation. At this stage I'm taking adv of the part time option I have at work. But I cannot see myself as a sahm mum. I feel more balanced for myself having a few days work but I do question if I can do full time too & whether its worth the $ or not.

[wysiwyg]

Yes we do get Grandma benefits too, although I do find it hard the long periods she is here - coming to end of 5 weeks and then will probably have 10 ish.

Anyway prompted by the other thread I have just checked after school rates in our area and they are pretty cheap $18 night $16 in morning so I am just focusing on Jan 2015 as will make a massive difference only having DS in childcare and then will seem less like working for nothing. (It makes absolutely no sense really such expensive childcare rates but relatively cheap before and after school care - assuming you can get in - but it is at the school DD would go to and we walk past on way to and from childcare and doesn't look that busy to me - of course 2 years could change that :-)) But I feel more positive now.

[Astrid]

Part if me wishes we had after school care. Financially it would not be worth it as any extra hours would be paying it. The main benefit is increased super.

The whole super situation is high on our minds these days. It is one the major benefits if me working. I will need to look into an after tax contribution to ensure we have enough.

[wysiwyg]

I haven't even thought about super yet apart from just having it. The after school is really jyst necessity due to travel times - needing to finish at 14:30 everyday think would find hard to find work, and we live relatively close to city.

[MummyNaomi]

Subbing, returning to work soon. When DH finishes his leave in Sept, I will have two in daycare, but luckily it will only be till Feb when DS starts school. However mornings are going to be challenging, driving DS to school in one direction, then DD to childcare and then get to work myself around 8am - I think we are going to have to leave home shortly after 7am - eeeek, Not sure how to manage that. Fortunately it will only be two days a week as one day I will work from home, one will be my RDO and Nan will sort out the kids on the third day. But getting kids fed, dressed etc as well as myself those mornings will require super organisation methinks

[~clover~]

Subbing, returning to work soon. When DH finishes his leave in Sept, I will have two in daycare, but luckily it will only be till Feb when DS starts school. However mornings are going to be challenging, driving DS to school in one direction, then DD to childcare and then get to work myself around 8am - I think we are going to have to leave home shortly after 7am - eeeek, Not sure how to manage that. Fortunately it will only be two days a week as one day I will work from home, one will be my RDO and Nan will sort out the kids on the third day. But getting kids fed, dressed etc as well as myself those mornings will require super organisation methinks

Do you know what time your DS's school will start yet? Generally kids aren't allowed on school grounds more than 15 minutes before the bell rings, as there's no supervision. Our bell rings at 8.50, kids aren't to be there before 8.30. DD1's previous school went in at 8.30, they weren't to be on the grounds before 8.15.
Just something you may need to consider if you haven't already.

[MummyNaomi]

Thanks Clover, he'll be in OSHC on those mornings as I will need to drop him off early to get DD to CC, she's close to work so it makes more sense to drop him first. Another expense though !!

[wysiwyg]

Mm well I never feel obliged to clean the house, tomorrow I am doing some work in morning from home and in arvo DH and I are off to footy together on our own. Have done stuff with kids past three days and tomorrow they will get Uncle Chris and Grandma in arvo so is a treat for them. Oh and I am meeting friends for dinner tonight, so will probably get chance for a nap. But mum goes Thursday so we do try to cram stuff in when have free babysitting as we often go months and months without going out on our own.

Also my mum does think our flat is like student digs and not a home - so that prob gives you an idea of how little I prioritize home stuff.

If public holiday was mid week I prob would feel some guilt if didnt spend time with kids though, because tagged onto weekend seems different.

[FabFiona]

I like working. It keeps me sane. That being said, I'm not sure I would feel the same way if my job involved long hours or long distances to get there. I work office hours 10 mins drive from home 3 days a week.

Today I would have liked to stay in bed all day as this week is going to be horrible, but alas no can do. Quality time with the family is always done on days off. I feel bad if we don't. Tomorrow will see a trip to the zoo then park or craft in the arvo.

[Doing my best]

Also my mum does think our flat is like student digs and not a home - so that prob gives you an idea of how little I prioritize home stuff.

Lol . My mil is here at moment and truly believes that my house is just a shambles cause I have had a few rough weeks working f/t with sick kids and husband.. My house is always like this, i don't do domesticated mummy well, but I generally make an effort when she is coming over (lives in nz so no random visits..)

But here is a little about me and my work situation i usually work 2 full days a week, and mornings see me commute between an hr and hr and half depending if I drop DS off to daycare and dd off to before school care. My dh is a shift worker, and often does drop off, but the only concession I get is not dressing the kids.. I still do hair, lunches, breakfast, and get to leave later. I don't financially have to work anymore, but with dd being at school, and DS being 3 and made some friends at daycare when I did have to work financially last year, I figured I would be silly to give up my hrs.. I do like my job and the people I work with, most of the time, and not bring a domesticated by nature person, I find going to work a good balance.

[~clover~]

I've been on both sides of the fence. I've been the full time SAHM & I've worked 2 casual/part time jobs at once when DD1 was young.

I believe you need to work for your sanity. I did 4 years full time SAH after DS was born. I hated it. I couldn't handle full time 5-5.5 days a week, & I know that, but I can't not work part time. I get depressed, lonely & bored. My house turns to crap, because I have no real reason to keep it organised. I'm here all the time, I have time to search through the mess in my room for 2 clean socks.

When I don't work my house is usually a mess. My room you can barely walk into, my laundry is over flowing & my dishes don't get done til I'm about to cook dinner. i feel like crap about myself, so I treat myself like crap. If I'm not happy, I'm not happy & you can tell where I'm at with the state of my house. (ATM its spotless!! inside...)

I am on my own, so living on centrelink alone isn't fun (no child support either). If I can just earn an extra $100 a week on top of my payments, thats a camping trip to the beach on a long weekend. Thats an online order for winter PJ's for all the kids. Being able to afford friends birthdays & canteen once a week! Just being able to do those little things for my kids is all I need.

One day I will own a house, but its not going to be for a while. I'm not going to work my butt off to own a house now. I'll spend the next 10 years spending time doing things with my babies every chance i get, then worry about that. We never had this freedom before, so I'm running with it

There are plenty of days/weekends, even weeks during holidays that I do nothing with my kids. But there are times when we do amazing things, like weekend getaways to the beach, to make up for it.

There's no perfect way to do it, you just have to do what's best for you