Returning to Work Outside the Home

I havent read the other posts but I will say I am looking for ideas as well. Here is what I do AFTER I put the kids to bed

I clean one room each night,
Monday -clean dust windex living room family room and formal dining room
Tuesday-clean kitchen and eat in kitchen (make grocery list)
Wednesday Clean bathrooms and Masterbedroom
Thursday - laundry day.. DO NOT go to bed until the laundry is done..you will regret it.
Friday- put the kids clothes away, buy groceries and put groceries away

I gave the hubby a duty to vaccumm and clean the floors. and for now, forget about windexing windows, dusting blinds or organzing anything.

Unfortuneatley I am getting worse and worse about this schedule because there is just soo much going on (sickness and kids waking up while I am scrubbing toilets). Any more now, I just live with all the dust and dirty floors since the hubby was good for doing that for about 1 week.
If you can go back part time, DO IT. I am a full time working mom and am gone from home 50 hours per week (baby is in daycare the entire time) I wish I could work 4-10 hour shifts and then I could do everything on that 5th day. I will say my work has summer hours so every other week I get 1/2 a friday off so that helps with all the stuff I miss during the week.
If it starts to get stressfull, you might want to consider going part time and then going home and trying to sell on ebay or Craigslist all the stuff you dont need/ dont use. That will help with more income.
I am very maticulous about my house and its driving me crazy that I have all these clothes that dont fit my baby anymore but I dont have the time to sell them...I dont want to give them away because we paid good money for them, but I also dont have time.
Another suggestion is to see if your hubby can take the kids to daycare/school. If so then you can get up early in the morning and do your chores. I get up with the baby and put her to bed so that is not an option for me.
One other suggestion would be (and this is what I am considering) is get a cleaning person every other week. That will help with releaving stress. But I am 100% on being a full time working mom is seriously for the birds.
sorry, wish I could be more inspiring but I would rather be realistic.

Just to add to the already great responses-- do as they suggest. Don't overschedule your family (easy now but when school starts they may have to limit themselves to 1 activity they really enjoy--- this isn't a bad thing, free time for kids to be creative or just play is very healthy). I've always been a working Mom, the time I spend at work ensures that the time I spend at home is quality. My spouse is good at always telling me what great mom I am, he's my cheerleader. Definitely be organized and depending on the kids' ages involve them-- it's good for them. Be positive.

Hi S.!! I know exactly what you mean. We moved to the Cleveland area almost 3 years ago for my husband's work. He was laid off over a year ago with no good prospects except if we want to move to the East Coast or West Coast which would take us away from our midwest roots. So, we decided I would go back to work. After being a SAHM for 5 years, it has definitely been an adjustment. I was very fortunate that I was able to start out part-time but eventually went full time and finally found a job that was full time with benefits. However, I do not make anywhere near what my husband did. But w/ 3 kids, childcare is ridiculous so, we are just covering our expenses and my husband is staying home. I have to admit that some times I am resentful of having to go back to work - but when I am feeling like this I either try to find someone to talk to or write about it in a journal. That seems to help. It will be a hard adjustment, but I think about all of the single moms that do it all the time and know that I can too and so can you!
As far as the house - being organized or getting that way may be important. I, like the others, plan out a weeks worth of meals and try to go shopping once a week - usually Friday nights after dinner. I try to figure out things that I can make a little extra of and then use in another dish the next night, etc.

I take a planner with me at work. It is how I keep organized and feel like I know what is happening with the kids' schedule even though I am not there. We also have a dry erase calendar that I use each line for one of us in the house - the week can be seen - who has what going on and can easily be added to or changed. While at work, I keep a small notepad out on my desk - as I think of things that I would like to do after the kids go down or I HAVE to get done, I jot them down. I bring the list home with me so I remember what I wanted to accomplish.
My goal for this weekend is to come up with a better, detailed cleaning schedule, just so that the major things (bathrooms, vacuuming, etc.) is done more regularly and is less of a burden by breaking up the tasks rather than having to spend an entire weekend day cleaning rather than having fun with the kids.
Good Luck to you!!! I am sure you will do GREAT!!!

You can do it. It will be a difficult transition at first but after the first few days or weeks it will get easier. You just need to get in a routine. Figure out how long it will take you to get ready in the morning to get every one where they need to be.

As far as meals I would plan your menu at least one week in advance. That way you can do grocery shopping on a weekend evening when your kids are asleep so you don't miss out time. If you can use a crock pot or prepare part of the meal in the morning before work (ie slice vegetables, etc) so you don't feel overwhelmed in the evening.

Just treasure the time you have with your kids. Try to do housework in parts and when your kids are sleeping or involve them in it if they are old enough.

If you get a lunch break at work try to do something for yourself (take a walk, read a book, take a nap, etc). Despite your busy and limiting schedule don't forget to schedule some time for yourself.

I am working mom as well and it is a difficult balance but know you are not alone and you can do it!

Ok first of all congrats on finding a job in this recession!!! Secondly you are doing this for your family so be positive about it. If you talk negatively about it , it will effect yours and your families well being. Thirdly you just veha to be a little more orgainized and have an erase board schedule. Make plans, make sure chores are covered and definitly plan FUN time. I'm assuming the career you are leaving is being a SAHM. That is truly an honoarble job and perhaps when things get better you can go back to being the C.E O of your household. Just remember you are doing this for your family. You have already supplied the emotional and physical support to them for however long you have stayed home. Lots of moms never got to stay home and you will now have th best of both worlds. You are now financially providing for your family and just continuing to support and love them. Just stay positive, be happy and grateful everyone is healthy and that you have the ability to go out and work. You will be awesome, your family won't suffer, they may learn a little independance which isn't horrible and at the end of the day, moomy comes home.

It's summer, so this may help you more in the Fall, but get real acquainted with your crockpot (or pick up a 5qt one!). Throw the meal together the night before, refrigerate, plug in the next morning! Dinner served!

This recipe I just follow the directions, but doesn't take much time and is really good, especially on day 2. Adjust the cumin; I start with a little and add more for the adults.

White Chili

2 lbs. Ground Turkey
2 Med. White Onions
2 Tbsp. Minced Garlic
2 tsp. Oregano
4 Tbsp. Cumin
2 Jars Green Chopped Chilies, Diced
3 Jars Green Tomotilla Salsa
3 Cans White Beans, Drained and Rinsed
2 Cans Chicken Broth

Saute Ground Turkey with onions, garlic, oregano, cumin and chilies until browned, drain fat. Add to large pot. Add salsa, beans and chicken broth. Cook 45 minutes to 1 hour to blend flavors. *Serve with nacho chips, shredded cheddar cheese and chopped green onions! 8 servings.

Hi there,

This is such a big decision for your family and wanted to cheer you on that you can do it! Whatever you put your mind to becomes possible. A consistent schedule is key as others have said. When do you grocery shop? Laundry? Vacuum? Delegate responsibilities to others in family even little ones. So true what others have said.
Know that there are other options as well. Direct sales offers a great opportunity to moms who need fulfillment outside their mom lives and need the income yet want the flexibility to work around their children's schedules. If you find a product you believe in and a company that supports their field, it can be a great answer to this challenge. I work with Discovery Toys which is one option you may want to look into. My website is www.toyladyjanet.com If I can answer any questions, please let me know!

You didn't mention how many are in your household...ages..etc. EVERYONE should pitch in and share responsibility. That helps a TON....even if that means just picking up clothes and putting them into the laundry basket and or washer. If kids are older, they need responsiblity. Even the younger ones can help.

Abbie started "helping" me clean when she was three. It was her way of helping and taking on responsiblity as well as developing confidence. That might mean picking up toys or helping me do it, spray something while I wiped, putting clothes into the dryer after I handed them to her, having her own rag to help scrub something, etc.

Kids need responsibility. If there are others in this household, they need to help. If they are old enough, give them tasks in the kitchen, even if it is getting something out of the freezer, prep work etc. It all adds up.

Make lists if you have to - for everyone involved. Make this a great experience for everyone that fosters good time management, responsiblity, cooperation, and working together as a family to make things work.