Full Time Working Mums - tell me how you do it!

[Riss10]

Hi ladies,

I'm heading back to work in a couple of weeks and I'm a little nervous. I moved back from the UK last year, so I'm going to a completely new job and therefore need to prove myself in the role. It's also full time and a 1 hour commute each way, which isn't ideal, but it's with a good company, so I'm hoping other opportunities will arise at some point.

I'm also tossing up between a city based or local childcare. Each with have their Pro's and Cons'.

I'd love to hear how you ladies cope. Any tips for making life easier. How does your child cope with long days in childcare?

Thanks xx

[FabFiona]

I'm working part time and close to home so nothing specific to offer there.

My only suggestion is dinners are great in a slow cooker. I do everything the night before and put it on in the morning. It's the only way we have dinner at a reasonable time.

Good luck with it!

[AliBaby]

Learn to let some of the housework go.

Online grocery shopping

Routine, Routine, Routine

Set aside some quality time that you will spend with your kids in the routine.

Good luck. It is hard at first but you will get into a routine and so will your family.

[Cally]

Housecleaner.

Lots of meals in the freezer that you can just whip out when you get home.

Childcare - if it is near work, then you get to spend extra time each day travelling and you can be there quickly if little one gets sick. But it might be difficult with the extra travelling (ie public transport I imagine would be harder than if you're in the car).

As for how DD copes with being at CC full time, we are lucky in that DH is a teacher, so she gets a 2 week break at the end of each term. Also, my mum tries to come and visit in the middle of each term and give her a couple of days off. Without fail, she gets a cold in the last week of term which I think is just her little body getting tired.

[CKJ]

Definitely routine and Plan meals for the week

I work full time and I'm studying a degree at uni (plus bubs on the way)

My 6yo is in before and after school care (so I'm gone 7.30am - 5.30pm) but I work only 30 minutes from home/school so it's not too bad

I used to work an hour + commute and She was in long daycare 6.30am - 6.30pm (first in last out)
I would have picked one closer to work and done the public transport commute with her, but the idea of squashing in a train etc wasnt the best, and at LDC she was in a warm caring environment (usually eating)

The one thing I learnt the best is to spend as much quality time with the kids, I now hire a cleaner to come once a week as it saves me from spending all weekend doing the menial tasks. We also have a nightly routine before bed so we have a few snuggles.

Definitely plan which centre is better, hours etc. you'll get a general feel about the place and staff too

[*Twinkle*]

Yes let the house work wait till the weekend. Prepare meals and freeze on the weekend. And have a routine for mornings and nights...helps me stress less!


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[Kazbah]

We chose local daycare as we liked the environment, plus local children in our community for was our son growing up and kinder / school important.

Slow cookers, meal planning as the earlier ladies stated. Cooking double on alternating nights worked for me, and freezing leftovers. My meal plan also included what I was preparing for lunch / thawing for the next day.

Housework - with both of us working, a cleaning lady was a must. Take time for yourself - 10 minutes a day, half an hour, whatever. Take that time for you, and additional time with your partner. Find a local friend or neighbour who can assist with pickups if bub is ill at childcare.

If you're living in a bushfire-prone area, discuss *now* what your plans are for high fire danger days (yes, i know it's the end of the fire season, but never too early) and if you can work from home, or a local office. Develop a local network.

*hug* and all the best

[Maruschke]

How old is your LO? Time together on the train could be very difficult and more stressful than quality, if you get what I mean.

I also commute one hour each way. I bring a laptop with wireless internet. I get all my work emails answered, do a bit of shopping, browse some blogs, BB, etc etc, and generally relax and get all that stuff done on the train in either direction. It's a great "me" time even though I'm trapped on the train. I also buy a coffee at the train station cafe before I get on, and bring my sandwich breakfast, and it is soooo nice to eat and drink in peace . You can do your online grocery shopping during this time too, and do some meal planning if required. Pay bills, etc etc etc.

[OceanPrincess]

I'm only working part time but can offer some day care thoughts...

Research day care options. You might find one you love closer to home and decide that is the best option. Or vice versa. I think check them out and then decide - don't go with any preconceived notions.

We chose one closer to home as I could not deal with two kids plus bags (for me and the kids) on peak hour public transport services. Melbourne's public transport is also notoriously unreliable and I could not think of anything worse than being stuck on a train platform somewhere with two strung out kids!! Likewise in peak hour traffic, although that might be marginally less terrible!

Also, selfishly, the train is my space out and unwind time, I really value it.

Just some things to take in consideration

[OceanPrincess]

I also commute one hour each way. I bring a laptop with wireless internet. I get all my work emails answered, do a bit of shopping, browse some blogs, BB, etc etc, and generally relax and get all that stuff done on the train... You can do your online grocery shopping during this time too, and do some meal planning if required. Pay bills, etc etc etc.

Well that's a good use of your time... Very responsible! I'm impressed! I just space out and bury myself in the Kindle