I have a job! I am now a substitute at my daughter's church preschool. I can still get my boys to school and pick them up after. It will be awesome to be able to help pay for our daughter's preschool and have a little extra to pay off some bills.
I am a little nervous about the transition, though. I know that for September I will work four days a week for five and a half hours per day as they need help in the younger kiddos classrooms. I am trying to figure out how I will fit everything in.
The kids are old enough to have chores, but I am bad about being consistent and staying on them. Also, to be honest, sometimes it is just easier to do it myself. I do think I will have to get over that in order to maintain my sanity.
So between work and carpool, I will be away from home 8-9 hours (except Mondays)...so, how do you working ladies do it all?:) The last time I was a working parent, I only had one kid and he was a baby...now I have three with extra activities and all. Any advice?
I have always been a working mum although I wouldn't do it if I won the lottery! I do envy mums who stay at home, but do realise how hard their job is too, I get just a little glimpse of it as I work in school and am off with the boys all the school holidays.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest piece of advice would be that you simply cannot do everything at home that you could if you are not also working outside the house, something has to give and you have to decide what it is that you can allow to happen at a lower standard. For instance I like clean and tidy kitchen and bathrooms but relax more over bedrooms. I simply cannot do it all.
Having kids do jobs is I believe really good for them, but they don't always do the job properly (sometimes on purpose so you stop asking them!) I keep on insisting they do jobs, but cannot rely on it being done to my satisfaction.
On the positive side working outside the house can widen your circle of friends and experiences.
Just do enough to keep the board of health away! Honestly it won't matter if the home isn't perfect. Taking care of the kids and feeding the family should be all you really need to worry about. As for the kids and chores - please, please have them do them. My first little chore was folding towels, with my mom re-doing each one, to make it 'right'. Let your littlest do something like this an DON'T redo it behind her - just thank her sincerely. Then as she gets older and you know can do it better, insist she redo them if you think she is just being careless.
ReplyDeleteBy the age of 12, my kids were doing the family laundry, probably because my mom never made me and I didn't what to do it myself, LOL! They are both very self-sufficient these day.
Congratulations! If I figure out how to do this working mom thing, I'll let you know =).
ReplyDeleteThe other ladies had some great advice. Think about what's most important to you and let the other stuff go. Talk to Levi and the kids about what's most important to them.
Don't try to do it all yourself. Levi and the kids can help a lot. A kid as young as five can put together a suitable dinner (sandwiches and fruit) and clean up afterward. My 7 yo does his own laundry (which he doesn't fold or put in the right drawer but I don't care).
Cut yourself some slack in the beginning. The transition will take time to settle in. Good luck! I hope you love it.
Well i agree with the others. Remember you are not Super Woman...you do not need to do it all yourself. Let some things go...and know that the world will not stop. I became the queen of 30 minute dinners when i thought....and a crock pot is a must.
ReplyDeletegood luck...you can do this.
hugs abby
Congratulations Bea, that's awesome:) I'm afraid I have no advice on being a working parent but it looks like you have some great advice above.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Roz
I have no advise either, but I wanted to say congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the job! I agree with everyone else. Pick what's most important to to you and let everything else go. And when the kiddos do chores, let good enough be good enough without fixing it. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteYou will do just fine! Just don't try to be 'supermum'. If it doesn't get done one day, then do it the next. I have to tell you that I mostly did my housework on a Saturday due to working most of the week. But that was good because the kids were home and able to help, even if I did have to crack the whip on occasion. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI hope that everything is great for you, and goes according to plan.
Hugs
Ami
Sounds like fun, but a lot of work - that's a tough age to care for, but if the structure is there it could be a great fit. Like others have said, we compromise on household cleanliness/clutter to the extent we can. We make large dinners so we can have leftovers, instead of always trying to make from scratch every day. You'll figure it out, somedays you feel like a champ (I AM SUPERDAD/MOM!), others you feel ok just vegging out (and letting the kids veg out). It's all good. Hope it works for your family!
ReplyDeleteLet's see. Chatting with me comes first, then the housework. All should be good then. Oh and don't beat yourself up if the housework slides.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your new income! Don't burn yourself out so much that you can't.
love
willie
Congratulations Bea! Just remember that your house does not need to pass a white glove inspection. Try to make a schedule so that you do a bit each evening.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the children doing chores...make a chore chart...depending on if you use a wipeable chart or a paper chart, they can put a check mark next to their chore or a sticker.
Hugs and Blessings...
Cat
Life is simpler now, but there was a time when I thought I'd lose my mind. It was probably the most organized time of my life though...b/c it had to be. All I can suggest is whenever you find something that lowers the chaos even a bit, grab onto it and do what it takes to have the kids buy into it.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Bea...I hope you really enjoy working with the children.
With regards to the balancing both I have no advice to give but many have already given some good advice so instead I will just say have lots of fun and enjoy your job and time at home and don't worry about the rest...it will all come together... :-) hugs
ReplyDelete