Working mom question.

[bdk0186]

I'm looking forward to going back to work in a weird way, but how is everyone else doing? I worry about time when I get home and balancing everything. Does it get easier? Is everyone just exhausted everyday?

[bdk0186]

Thanks ladies. I know the first few months will be hard. I know her sleep habits will get better too. I know I'll be happier getting out for a bit rather than staying at home. It's a hard job and I give you props if you can do it. I too crave a schedule and routine and with her not having it drives me nuts lol. Soon I know.

[beevol]

I'm like calvinfoster, I thrive on structure and on top of that, I am extremely extroverted. Being home all day with just a baby is really hard for me.

When I went back to work after DD1, it was a little scary and stressful because it was a whole new unknown thing - balancing the reduced sleep, getting back into things at work, someone else watching her, etc. But, after a couple of weeks, we hit our groove. One of the things that I was scared of was that I wouldn't be important anymore - that she would bond with her day time caretakers more than me. I would repeat to myself that DH spends 8-10 hours a day with his coworkers and that I'm still important to him, every morning after leaving her. It was silly, but it helped me to frame it that way.

I'm once again taking 13 weeks and go back soon and it's bittersweet (a full three months, yes I'm in the US, but we can afford it and my employer is nice enough to go a full week over the minimum required by law). Part of me is *hungry* to be back at work - I know how much I need to get to my structure and other adults. But... this is most likely my last maternity leave and it's special to have such a tiny sweet baby who will be so big in approximately ten second (just like her sister), and... I feel almost nostalgic in advance.

Edited to Add: As for your question about logistics, by the time I went back to work, DD1 was STTN, so I wasn't tired all the time. DD2 isn't quite STTN yet, but she's only waking once to nurse and goes straight back to sleep. As long as I can fall back to sleep quickly (not always doable) and have a big mug of tea or coffee in the morning, I'm fine. While I was pregnant and DH was on a business trip, DD2 got sick and was up crying/coughing/barfing every night for an hour+. I was more tired than I ever thought possible and couldn't even have my coffee! But... it didn't last that long and I survived. It was only 6 months ago and I've already forgotten how much it sucked.

And, as for balancing everything? DH and I will keep making sure we don't live in filth? I'm not really a homemaker type person, so that bar is good enough for me. It helps to have a partner who actually does half the labor of raising your children and keeping house. (Also, low standards for cleanliness! This comic could be about me, less the depression: hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/06/this-is-why-ill-never-be-adult.html)

I'm happy and excited that I will never have to do any of this again (including being pregnant) and I'm also a little sad that I will never do any of this again. C'est la vie.

[babyrn2009]

I go back this Friday night (I work 7p-7a), and am dreading the inevitable hit to my sleep. Again. Thank goodness LO is sleeping well most nights so hopefully I can catch up on my nights off...

[bookworm87]

Feb 23, 2015 22:01:17 GMT -5 babyrn2009 said:

I go back this Friday night (I work 7p-7a), and am dreading the inevitable hit to my sleep. Again. Thank goodness LO is sleeping well most nights so hopefully I can catch up on my nights off...

I never thought how hard working nights would be while trying to establish a normal sleep schedule with a little one. Good luck!

I'm also strangely looking forward to going back. I'm a manager at a movie theater and the other managers are some of my closest friends who I've definitely missed. I do think I'll miss all the one on one time I've had with the boy, especially since going back does not mean getting more sleep.

[FCtwinmom]

I have been back for a couple of weeks now, and I feel like we are starting to settle in to a routine.

Luckily the babies are doing pretty well with STTN (most of the time, tonight was a little rough). I think the hardest part for me was realizing how little awake time I would get with the my babies. I feel like they are still sleeping when I leave and by the time I get home we feed them once and then put them to bed. But it just means I have to be extra intentional about soaking up all the time I can with them on the weekend.

[bdk0186]

How many hours of sleep are you moms getting?

[birch113]

Feb 24, 2015 9:16:03 GMT -5 bdk0186 said:

How many hours of sleep are you moms getting?

I get 3-4 hours the first stretch, then I'm up for 1.5-2 between the MOTN feed and pumping. I get another 2-3, but he's usually noisier and more restless during that time, so I wake up a few times.

[stefdolly]

Well, like you, I work 12 hour days 8a-8p. I just came back last week and only did two days, this is day 3 for me. It's not as bad as I anticipated because I do love my job and I did miss it. I TERRIBLY miss LO though. Getting home is a little challenging just because I need to eat, shower and then feed LO and bathe him before bed and then make sure everything is in order for the next day. As far as sleep.. pft, well.. He was a pretty good sleeper up until last week. Im not sure if he senses the change, but let's just say he has been up since 1:30A and I had to leave for work at 730.. today is challenging. Coffee, lots and lots of coffee.