MOMS!
How in the H do you do it?
I recently went back to work (sad face) and am having a really hard time wrapping my head around this new schedule. I am at work all day and when I get home ALL I want to do is snuggle my baby! By the time I do get home and eat dinner, it feels like it's already time to give Kenny a bath and get her ready for bed. I have no clue how I am supposed to get laundry done and make dinner and I can't even think about working out, let alone spend time with my baby and God forbid have some alone time with my hubby! I know that having a routine and being on a schedule is best for me and Kenley but
HOW DO YOU GET IT ALL DONE?
Our schedule as a family of three is a lot to keep track of. My new work schedule has me working longer days Monday-Thursday so that I can work a few hours from home (and be with Kenley) on Fridays. Our amazing parents are helping us take care of Kenley during the weekdays and Jason's Mondays and Tuesdays are super easy and he usually leaves late and gets home early. Trying to keep track of our work/daycare schedules AND trying to find time to work out, get Kenley on a routine AND keep our house clean was making my head spin.
So, I took to my old pal Excel to create a weekly schedule for myself. I spent more time than I'd care to share on this precious spreadsheet, BUT I think I was able to find time to do the things I want to do and still be able to get quality time in with my loves (can you tell that I am a visual learner?).
Take a look...
I'm using this as a jumping off point, I'm sure there are things that may not work out and I certainly know that life with a baby is unpredictable. And I'm sure this schedule will probably need to be altered as Ken gets older and as the seasons change, but for now, let's hope it works! I'm excited to try this (and stick to it) for a couple of weeks to see how it goes!
Wish me luck!
Our schedule as a family of three is a lot to keep track of. My new work schedule has me working longer days Monday-Thursday so that I can work a few hours from home (and be with Kenley) on Fridays. Our amazing parents are helping us take care of Kenley during the weekdays and Jason's Mondays and Tuesdays are super easy and he usually leaves late and gets home early. Trying to keep track of our work/daycare schedules AND trying to find time to work out, get Kenley on a routine AND keep our house clean was making my head spin.
So, I took to my old pal Excel to create a weekly schedule for myself. I spent more time than I'd care to share on this precious spreadsheet, BUT I think I was able to find time to do the things I want to do and still be able to get quality time in with my loves (can you tell that I am a visual learner?).
Take a look...
I'm using this as a jumping off point, I'm sure there are things that may not work out and I certainly know that life with a baby is unpredictable. And I'm sure this schedule will probably need to be altered as Ken gets older and as the seasons change, but for now, let's hope it works! I'm excited to try this (and stick to it) for a couple of weeks to see how it goes!Wish me luck!
I'd love to hear from all you mamas, both working moms and SAHMs.
What is your daily schedule? How do you get everything done and still keep your sanity
(not to mention have a life of your own)?
(not to mention have a life of your own)?
16 comments:
I don't have a baby so I don't have much advice to give.
But, remember, laundry and cleaning the house can wait. Your lil one will ONLY be this lil for a while, so enjoy the extra cuddle time and forget the chores!
xoxo
You can do it Beeb!! :) The schedule looks great!
This schedule is great, Kristen. But, just be open to deviating from it, if need be. There is always something that will come up that will mess with your 'schedule' - for example..a weekend out of town (requires more time packing and unpacking, laundry..ect),
I'm a full-time working Mom and finding the time to get household tasks done is stressful sometimes because all I want to do when I get home is be with the kids. Eventually you will get into a routine and things will come easier for you. I do a lot of laundry and cleaning at night when they are sleeping and then touch up on it here and there on the weekends. Now that my kids are older - they can help with chores around the house, too. :)
Good luck to you, Mama - things will get easier - I promise.
Hi Kristen! I'm a Mom of a 16 month old and the best advice I can give you is to not sweat the small stuff. I too stressed over the household chores and how I was going to get everything done when my son was born. (Actually, I still do!) But looking back, I wish I would have put more effort and energy towards spending time with my son than worrying so much about everything else. Their first year goes by so fast and before you know it she will be one and you will find yourself wondering where the time went. Everything will fall into place and work itself out. My best advice is take it one day at a time.
Can't wait to see the advice you get - I go back in April and I'm so worried about it!
I work 830-430 and by the time I get home with Landon it is like 5:30- I seriously get 30 mins with him then he goes down by 6/630 it is sad that there isnt more time spent with him but the stuff I get done in that time frame is crazy! Maybe try a little earlier bedtime for miss Kenley?
I mean this question in the least snotty way possible but: can Jason help with some of it?
Maybe split dinners so he cooks two nights a week, that way you can multitask or don't have to worry about squeezing in so many different things during the "down time"
with laundry, you could always do what I do: keep pulling that same pair of pants out of the dirty laundry for 3 weeks O_o (shame.)
I remember this feeling and still feel this way some days! It's so overwhelming at first! I will tell you that even after 7 months I still haven't figured out how to do it all and honestly the thing that goes to the wayside is cleaning. I hate to say it, but my house is "tidy" but not necessarily clean.
I didn't figure out how to fit gym time in until H was about 4-5 months old because I just couldn't get myself to spend more time away from him and I am not a workout at home person, I just can't do it. Now that he's older, for some reason,I feel more comfortable with leaving him and taking more time for myself so I workout quickly after work so I get it done before I go pick him up from daycare. That way when we get home I can devote all my time to him.
My husband ends up making supper more nights than I do because I end up feeding H while Robbie cooks, but it works and we're all in the kitchen together. It will take time but you'll get it figured out :)
I'm due in April, so I can't say I've had to work on the baby schedule yet. However, I can say that I've learned things will work themselves out. Keep your priorities straight, and you'll find some happiness in the chaos.
It's hard. I wish I had some magic words of wisdom. But I don't. As a working mom for 2 1/2 years I can say it gets better!
K will start going to bed alot earlier. It cuts into your time with her. Which sucks. But it does give you more time in the evening for laundry/dinner/working out. By 3ish months Jamie was asleep by 7 or 7:30. I didn't get home until almost 6 must nights. I took what little time I had to just focus on him. Once he went to bed I made dinner and did all the other chores.
The first weeks are the worst but you will get into a routine and then it just feels like normal life. A schedule is good but don't get frazzled if it changes. Alot. Babies like to throw us curve balls everyday.
Good luck! You can do it! Promise!
what a beauty of a spreadsheet. dont worry you will get the hang of it and if you just keep in mind that "everyday will be different" that will help...
i am a stay at home WORKING mom and i struggle DAILY with not getting enough work done during the day, am i playing/paying enough attn to the little one throughout the day?? do i go to bed at night or stay up and work... so hubby and i go out on a date night when we have a free night or should we sit back and relax while baby girl entertains us for hours on end!?
point being, you GOT THIS... it will become a no brainer after time, just give it time.
I think this is a great start!!! You are way more organized than me, hahaha.
It's so tough because these babies are constantly growing and changing. Bedtimes/bathtimes/dinnertimes all get earlier and earlier and next thing I know, Noah's in bed at 7 and where did my evening go?! GAHHH
Pretty soon your daily schedule will seem like normal and you will not remember what life was like before. It will not hit you again until the last little one leaves the nest. Then you can exhale and cry. xo m
I know what you are going through, I'm still trying to adjust as well. Kyle and I have been taking turns cooking dinner so one of us can snuggle/play with Easton. And as much as I don't like to spend more time away from him, I do take one night to go workout so I do something for myself as well.
I cherish weekends even more than I used to so I can spend more time with my baby.
Please send me any helpful advice you might have as well.
Being a working mom is HARD! I have not figured it out either. The thing that has helped me out the most is that we hired someone to clean our house every other week. If I have to be at work away from my baby then when I'm home I don't want to be distracted by other things. And it has been amazing! I know it's expensive, but totally worth it in my book. Also, I put my baby to bed at 7pm. I get home from work at 4:30, play with him and feed him until 6pm, then it's bath, feeding again, and bed by 7. Then my husband and I eat dinner and spend some time together. I haven't been able to make it to the gym, but could go at 8ish or so. Give yourself a little break...you might not be able to make it to the gym now, but soon enough it will get easier and you'll have more time. Good luck, you are doing a great job!
I'm with Bre, I keep the house tidy during the week, just doing the bare minimum.. wash dishes every day, wash a load or two of laundry if needed, sweep, wipe counters/sinks, make bed, etc. All the deep cleaning and stuff that takes more than 30 minutes I hold off on till the weekend.
Your schedule seems very doable! I love how organized you are! ;)
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