For the working moms: how do you find the balance (and time!)? | ExpatWoman.com
 

For the working moms: how do you find the balance (and time!)?

984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 05 March 2013 - 23:37

Hi ladies,
I'm thinking of returning to work soon, DD will be around 8 months then.
As much as I wanted to be a SAHM, I've realised I'm not really cut out for it and I miss working too much, I was one of the few rare people who actually loved their job!

So, I'm wondering how all you working moms do it?

- Take care of LO in the day (do you have a nanny or do you send them to daycare?)
- Find time for yourself (between work, baby and DH, where's the time for you?)
- Take care of cleaning and laundry (I struggle with it as it is, and it seems cleaning companies dont work after 6pm, the time I will be coming home!)
- Find time with DH (as it is I'm too exhausted to get some quality time together)
- Find time with LO (if I'm home by 6:30 and DD sleeps by 8pm, the time with her seems too little!)

I'd love to hear how you all manage and your daily routine, and get some inspiration :) Of course I'm open to hearing the drawbacks as well

186
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 March 2013 - 14:50
im in a similar situation as meagle although i have a live in nanny/maid. my DS is her number one priority but she will wash/clean before i leave for work (8.30am) and she does a bit when he is napping. on a saturday she does a big clean as we are usually out of the house doing something as a family... find time with DH- we are together when DS goes to bed 6.30 and we go out together 1 night at the weekend either thursday or friday. time with DS- not enough an hour and half in the morning and 2 hours after work before his bedtime. but its the sacrifice i take by working.. i feel like i am a much better mum since i have been back at work though and the time we have together is quality and precious.
849
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 March 2013 - 14:35
I recently rejoined the workforce. Absolutely no regrets. Have a nearly 3 year old and nearly 1 year old. 6 months home with them was enough for me to see I'm happier and a better mother when working. To answer your specific question: - Take care of LO in the day (do you have a nanny or do you send them to daycare?) We have a full time, live out nanny. I interviewed knowing I was looking for a nanny and not a maid who watches the kids. She understands that her primary responsibility is the kids and the cleaning that gets done is taken care of when the kids are sleeping primarily. - Find time for yourself (between work, baby and DH, where's the time for you?) There's little of it, but I try to book something every week. I try to get out after the baby is in bed at least one night a week and sometimes on the weekends for an hour or two. Have a regularly scheduled girls night, etc. - Take care of cleaning and laundry (I struggle with it as it is, and it seems cleaning companies dont work after 6pm, the time I will be coming home!) The nanny does basic cleaning and is excellent about laundry. I toss a load in nights and weekends a few times a week. The house is cleaner now than it was when I stayed home. If there's some deep cleaning needed, I may tackle it on the weekend myself or I'll ask the nanny to do 1-2 additional odd jobs once a week. - Find time with DH (as it is I'm too exhausted to get some quality time together) We try to schedule it. Kids are in bed by 8, so that often gives us an hour or two most evenings. We also have the nanny babysit 2x per month and will go out for dinner/movie/date on those occasions. - Find time with LO (if I'm home by 6:30 and DD sleeps by 8pm, the time with her seems too little!) It is too little! My daughter is in bed by 7 most nights, so we only spend a little time together morning and night. Try to make up for it on the weekends, but this is the big trade off/sacrifice, IMO. If I could have it all, I'd work only 4 days per week and have one more day with the kids, but I know that's not realistic, especially here in Dubai.
 
 

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