Topic : Working Moms

To juggle the role of being a mother, wife, and maintain a job.  I returned to work when my daughter was 2 1/2 months old.  I cried every day  for the first couple weeks.  I hated the thought of leaving her.  I still hate the thought of leaving her.  But I remind myself that I'm helping support my family, so I'm leaving her for a good cause.   

My daughter is now 15 months old.  She totally adores her babysitter.  The highlight of my day is when I pick her up from the sitters & she comes running to me with open arms. 

I think the main things you should keep in mind when returning to work are: 

* Please remember to make time for yourself.  I made the mistake when I first returned to work of trying to wear the "superwoman" cape.  Meaning I thought I could work full time, spend time with my family & still manage to get all of the household chores done every day.  I wore myself out.  Give your husband some daily "chores" to do.  Make sure that it's a group effort, not a race to see what you can get done.  If you forget to take care of you, you're no good to anyone else. 

* Guilt is a part of parenthood.  Working mom's feel guilty for leaving their baby & working.  But I've also learned that many stay at home moms wonder if they should be out working.  One thing I've learned about being a parent is that you're never 100% sure you're doing the right thing.  just do your best, everything will fall in place. 

* plan ahead. 

I try to get all of my grocery shopping & things of that nature done on the weekend.  Instead of trying to get it done after work or during my lunch hour.  This keeps my lunch hour free, which gives me an hour to myself every day.  I spend this hour either taking a walk, or enjoying a nice meal with coworkers.  It's important to have that time to relax.  Remember, if Mama's crazy, the family will be too! 

Hi Mac! 

Gratz on your baby!!  I miss my kids being babies, just the newborn smell, and the cuddling!  LOL!  So drink it in hun, cause it doesn't last as long as you will wish it did!  And don't forget to take tons of pictures!! 

You sound like you are on the right track!  It is easy to loose yourself and become a robomom.  I was one for a long time and I finally realized that I needed to be me again too.  Just because you have a baby doesn't mean you can't do things that you enjoy etc!   

And one tip too, let your hubby do his chores his way (and the baby too when she is older).  It won't matter in the long run how it gets done, just that it does.  Don't worry I know I'm guilty of it too, used to be much worse, but now that the kids are older, I let them do things their way, and I give up some of my control over it.  They have to learn, gain confidence, and if mommy is always saying "do it like this...etc" then it gets their self esteem gets hurt.   

Work and kids is hard to balance, but just remember, chores can wait, family is more important. =) 

(HUGS) 

~Ceno 

Hello All, 

This is my first time on the message board. I am a full time working mother of two boys and I understand what everyone is going through. I am a principal of an elementary school and teach an online college course. My oldest boy has football three nights a week and my husband work shift work. They key for me is accepting everything is not going to be perfect. The house is going to be a little messy and my expectation is for my husband to do his part. I grocery shop only twice a month and prepare a menu ahead of time. I do get prepared for the next day the night before and often get frustrated. In my house we have what is called mom time. My boys know not to interrupt me unless it is an emergency. I have this time when I watch a movie on Friday or Saturday night and when I read the Sunday paper. It is a great time for me to unwind at the end of the week. I also have a husband who spends lots of time with the boys. They have boy time together. This is a wonderful opportunity for me to simply relax and enjoy life. My youngest went to school last week without socks. My dad asked where his socks were and I simply said his last clean pair were worn last night and he constantly loses socks. I had to live with that and accept that I am not perfect! Live goes on and we do the best we can do. To all the moms out there-thanks for all of your hard work. Motherhood is a full time job and often goes unappreciated.  

I have been a little stressed lately.  I work full time, go to college full time, run a household with two children and try to keep it all going.  My husband and kids help alot but I still feel overwhelmed!  I have two more years of school after this school year and can't wait.  Planning is everything.  I help at both of my daughters schools as much as I can and help with their youth group at church.  I can't wait to be done and take a vacation.  The plus for me is that I work at the local hospital and only work three days a week.  I work 7p-7a three nights a week in the Intensive Care Unit.  I have to try to stay organized at all times.  My problem is my weight!  I have picked up some pounds because of my time schedule.  I need some exercises that doesn't take too long and can be done from home.  I also need some quick recipes that are good for you.  If anyone can help me out please let me know. 

The first month or so is going to be difficult when you go back to work I have always worked with my kids since they were small my two oldest are only 10 and half months apart and at the time it was difficult I worked since they were 6 weeks old and then went back to college they are now 21 and 20 I have a 12 year old and stayed home until he was 2 and it was more difficult leaving him then he had got used to me, but if you get super organised it can be done I too am from Scotland and I would say there are more resources over there I am in the states with no family support and found it really difficult but I was a single parent with my first two in scotland and found it easier there than here even although childcare wasnt readily available. I use to come home with the kids feed them bath them and sit about an hour playing and quality time. then they were in bed by 8pm or 9pm at very latest I would do laundry  and prepare everything for the next day so when I got up it was a case of getting them ready and breakfast then go an I usually had to be at work by 8.30pm my paycheck was eaten up with child minders or daycare but I think you have to keep sane and be involved with adult interaction I am from Glasgow were are you from miss scotland but nothing to go back for now my mum has gone. welll I hope this is of help. Accept any help from family dont be to proud and it will get easier, you will enjoy your children even more if that s possible if you come home and havent seen them all day. and they will appreciate you. 

hi there  

my name is jennifer to  

so your husband is diabled 

 is he able to get a job at something? 

i mean you are working 2 jobs 

when do you get to see your kids?