Full-time working mums... how do you keep it all in balance?

[Nettie]

Ya just try ya best!

I work full-time as a supervisor to 10 staff, just starting a double Diploma and DH is a SAHD. I'm also on call for work (if the security system goes off - I get called to go in and check it out - 24/7).

I don't have a plan - we split the cooking about 50/50 (DH also has his own business to run - part time) and the only 'me' time I get is surfing the net for an hour or so while DH gets DS to sleep (after bath). That's my BellyBelly and FB time (and at the moment - it's my Nappy Hunt time! )

Bedtime is usually more like midnight (10.30 is an early night!) and the only thing DH and I do together is watch TV/DVD's and go for the occassional walk.

I make sure I spend quality time with DS on the weekends - and it's Mummy's job to do the bath stuff - so I get a good 1/2 hour with him playing then *every night*.

I also do all the washing (by choice) and we're in cloth - so there's a lot!

Lucky for me I don't have any hobbies or anything (except reading the occasional crime book! - eats into the sleep time), but I manage ok.

As long as you leave work at work and home at home - ya just manage! Good luck!

[~Kim~]

While I'm a SHAM now, it is only a recent development.
DH is a shift worker, so the load was mine. Because I was working regular hours a routine was easiest. On the OT/weird hour days you just do your best.
Like Divvy I had a fairly strict routine. I also reassessed what needed to be done as opposed to the perfectionist view of what should be done.
With DH the fulltime worker now he does bathtime with the kids when he is here, that gives me time to cook dinner/cleanup/spend some time on the lappy.
I preferred to get up a bit earlier to do a few jobs than stay up late (funny how that is totally the opposite now). The gym was my time. At night DH and I sit together. We might be doing separate things (like me sewing or crafting or surfing the net and him on the PS3 or watching telly), but we're together. Sometimes we don't even talk lol. We've had many chats in the wee hours of the morning, but they're the ones we treasure - that's what works for us.

I'm really glad you got your job babe. I know it's something you're worried about, but don't stress to much. It has a way of working out. You will also appreciate Shell much more because you already know what it's like to SAH, so it's not taking advantage.