Working Mom Chat

[Laurie919]

I see they have one for SAHM's do we have one for working moms.

We can share ideas to make life easier with working and taking care of a home, children and if you have one a husband.

 

[3girls2dogs]

I find that one of the best things I can do to make my life easier is to make a meal plan for the week and stick to it. When I do that, it helps a lot.

We also try to take care of as much of the next morning's "ready" stuff the night before. We lay out our clothes, make sure we have found both of everyone's shoes, make sure homework is signed and backpacks are ready. We only have one vehicle, and once dh is in uniform, he can't get out of the car off base, so we have to be very organized in the AM.

We find that doing this all BEFORE everyone sits down to watch tv/play video games/read makes it all go very smoothly.

Oh, and Crock Pots are a MUST!!!

 

[Laurie919]

Getting things ready at night is really a big help. I am not really very good at doing it though. Maybe if we would do it before computer time that would help a lot.

Taylor thinks she is the princess and that all she has to do is say mom and things appear. Guess I made her like that so I can't blame anyone but myself. So when I do set her clothes out I just hang them in the bathroom so she can get dressed out the shower.

I have also found that if I make the mistake of turning the tv on that is it for both of us, we always miss the bus.

Today I had a doctors appointment so I got up at 5:30, then woke her up at 6:00 our morning was so much smoother because we didn't have to rush. We were doing that at the beginning of the year, then I got really sick and we gave it up. We need to go back to it.

I also like getting up earlier so I can bring her breakfast in bed, it always makes her days better.

 

[3girls2dogs]

Will you adopt me?

Well, I have the benefit of having a Marine husband who sometimes has to resort to treating us like his Marines to get things done. He is the super organized one when it comes to the time thing. When he was deployed, things did not run quite as smoothly

I do recommend doing it before doing anything you enjoy as relaxation. I will admit that, no matter how much I whine and moan, it is a great feeling to sit down at night to relax and know that it's actually been done. It takes a weight off.

How do you handle "me" time? Do you have any? What do you like to do for yourself, i.e. what is your "splurge"?

 

[Laurie919]

Will you adopt me?

Well, I have the benefit of having a Marine husband who sometimes has to resort to treating us like his Marines to get things done. He is the super organized one when it comes to the time thing. When he was deployed, things did not run quite as smoothly

I do recommend doing it before doing anything you enjoy as relaxation. I will admit that, no matter how much I whine and moan, it is a great feeling to sit down at night to relax and know that it's actually been done. It takes a weight off.

How do you handle "me" time? Do you have any? What do you like to do for yourself, i.e. what is your "splurge"?

I don't have any me time. Unless Taylor goes to her dads which isn't very often. That is fine with me.

 

[3girls2dogs]

Girl, do I have a website for you!! And no, it isn't dirty.

www.lush.com

They have the most amazing bath products. Bathroom time is the only me time I get, so I spoil myself in there. I use good product and take a luxurious bath once a week.

The way you describe Taylor, it's clear she adores you, so while she is playing Wii, take a bath and tell her you need 20 minutes of me time. Totally worth it.

If you are achy, Kheil's has an awesome mineral muscle soak that feels sooooo good.

 

[3girls2dogs]

You take awesome care of Taylor, it is clear, but you need to take a few minutes for yourself too. It's important for you to be relaxed, that's how we stay sane, right?

Anyway, I remember you saying you are on a budget. We are too. Do you have to wear business attire to work? If so, where do you find the best bargains?

 

[Laurie919]

You take awesome care of Taylor, it is clear, but you need to take a few minutes for yourself too. It's important for you to be relaxed, that's how we stay sane, right?

Anyway, I remember you saying you are on a budget. We are too. Do you have to wear business attire to work? If so, where do you find the best bargains?

Yes, I like to wear suits like the one in the pic. I am a little over dressed, but I like it.

I buy most of my stuff at Stage or Burlington Coat Factory. I always buy on clearance and never pay over$20 for a suit.

My me time is work. I actually like working. Then I have an hour and a half a day in the car. Although that really isn't relaxing.

 

[Laurie919]

I actually spoil everyone, when I hear my boss drive up (he parks right outside of my office) I have his coffee on his desk not long after he walks in.

What do you do?

I am a finance executive assistant. A glorified secretary who makes more money because of the executive part.

 

[Laurie919]

Girl, do I have a website for you!! And no, it isn't dirty.

www.lush.com

They have the most amazing bath products. Bathroom time is the only me time I get, so I spoil myself in there. I use good product and take a luxurious bath once a week.

The way you describe Taylor, it's clear she adores you, so while she is playing Wii, take a bath and tell her you need 20 minutes of me time. Totally worth it.

If you are achy, Kheil's has an awesome mineral muscle soak that feels sooooo good.

That is actually the time that I have alone at home, but the dogs come in and she usually ends up in the bathroom to. She finally has gotten to where she won't strip and dive into the tub with me. But if she sees a bubble bath and can get to it before I do, I have missed it. She even lites candles for her bath.

 

[Beth1231]

Can I join this club?

I'm maybe not the "typical" working mom, but I'm definitely not a SAHM either. I'm a preschool teacher, so I get to wear jeans and sweaters. I get up at 5:30AM, my husband helps get me and our six month old daughter out the door and then I'm back home with the baby around 1PM. So, like I said it's a bit out of the norm.

The hardest part of being a working mom for me is keeping Anina on a consistent schedule with naps and bedtime.

 

[Laurie919]

Can I join this club?

I'm maybe not the "typical" working mom, but I'm definitely not a SAHM either. I'm a preschool teacher, so I get to wear jeans and sweaters. I get up at 5:30AM, my husband helps get me and our six month old daughter out the door and then I'm back home with the baby around 1PM. So, like I said it's a bit out of the norm.

The hardest part of being a working mom for me is keeping Anina on a consistent schedule with naps and bedtime.

Feel free to join us it is for all working moms. If you work with children all day you work harder than I do.

 

[Beth1231]

Yeah, a lot of people say that

I feel pretty blessed though because most mornings fly by and I usually don't feel like I have "worked", just used up a ton of energy giving them my best. Now if only I was making a ton of money at this job, I would be all set!

 

[Laurie919]

Yeah, a lot of people say that

I feel pretty blessed though because most mornings fly by and I usually don't feel like I have "worked", just used up a ton of energy giving them my best. Now if only I was making a ton of money at this job, I would be all set!

I think teachers and child care providers should make more than anyone.

I remember when Taylor was little it was very hard to keep her on a schedule because they would let her sleep all day then she would want to be up all night.

 

[christianmomof3]

I was a working mom until my oldest dd was 6 and I quit working about a week and a half before giving birth to my second child. I had planned to work until his due date - I was a teacher and he was due the day after school was supposed to end, but my blood pressure went up and I was seeing spots so I had to quit and I had him a week and a half later - about 10 days before his due date.
Anyway, I was a SAHM for 8 years and this year, my third and youngest and last child started kindergarten, so in Nov. I started a part time job at a dept store.
It is good hours, I work from 9-2 which is what I need. My oldest dd is in high school and the younger two are in elementary and elementary starts at 7:45 and high school starts at 9 so I take the younger kids to school, come home, take the older one to school and go to work.
I don't usually work every day, but that may change.
I am having a hard time getting used to being back working though.
I had to miss some days because all three of my children took turns being sick.
And it is hard to get everything done.
And I am often tired and gripey on the days I work.
I guess I got pretty spoiled being a SAHM.
Especially because in Sept. and Oct. all 3 kids were in school and I did not yet have a job and I was really home by myself all day and I had a free membership at Curves for a month and a half and it was nice.

 

[Laurie919]

I was a working mom until my oldest dd was 6 and I quit working about a week and a half before giving birth to my second child. I had planned to work until his due date - I was a teacher and he was due the day after school was supposed to end, but my blood pressure went up and I was seeing spots so I had to quit and I had him a week and a half later - about 10 days before his due date.
Anyway, I was a SAHM for 8 years and this year, my third and youngest and last child started kindergarten, so in Nov. I started a part time job at a dept store.
It is good hours, I work from 9-2 which is what I need. My oldest dd is in high school and the younger two are in elementary and elementary starts at 7:45 and high school starts at 9 so I take the younger kids to school, come home, take the older one to school and go to work.
I don't usually work every day, but that may change.
I am having a hard time getting used to being back working though.
I had to miss some days because all three of my children took turns being sick.
And it is hard to get everything done.
And I am often tired and gripey on the days I work.
I guess I got pretty spoiled being a SAHM.
Especially because in Sept. and Oct. all 3 kids were in school and I did not yet have a job and I was really home by myself all day and I had a free membership at Curves for a month and a half and it was nice.

I have worked since Taylor was two weeks old. Plus have worked two jobs most of my life before having her. So I kinda feel lost if I am not working.

I lost my last job in May and wasn't able to find a job again until then end of July. It was the first summer I was able to spend with Taylor. It was very nice, but very stressful because money was so tight. Everything worked out though, God blessed me with an even better job, that I don't have to work 70 hours a week.

 

[3girls2dogs]

I'm an Administrative Secretary for the Technology/Business department of a very large high school. It's basically the "trade" section of the school. It is pretty much an accounting job. I work with several Federal Budgets. Spreadsheets mostly, and arranging travel for the competitions the kids go to.

The job itself is boring, but I love working for my boss, and the high school itself is fascinating to see as an adult.

I worked mostly in Retail while my kids were younger and not in school. Nights and weekends. It was really hard because I never got to see my husband when he was home, and then he'd be gone for months. I have a degree in Business, and I worked as a secretary until Taylor was born, then did the retail thing, now I am back to being a secretary. I like it. I like the feeling of accomplishment when all the numbers match.

My dream is to work with animals. When me move to NC, I hope to get a job in a Vet's office or with a shelter. We have also finally saved enough to probably be able to buy a house when we move to NC. I'm very excited.

 

[Laurie919]

I'm an Administrative Secretary for the Technology/Business department of a very large high school. It's basically the "trade" section of the school. It is pretty much an accounting job. I work with several Federal Budgets. Spreadsheets mostly, and arranging travel for the competitions the kids go to.

The job itself is boring, but I love working for my boss, and the high school itself is fascinating to see as an adult.

I worked mostly in Retail while my kids were younger and not in school. Nights and weekends. It was really hard because I never got to see my husband when he was home, and then he'd be gone for months. I have a degree in Business, and I worked as a secretary until Taylor was born, then did the retail thing, now I am back to being a secretary. I like it. I like the feeling of accomplishment when all the numbers match.

My dream is to work with animals. When me move to NC, I hope to get a job in a Vet's office or with a shelter. We have also finally saved enough to probably be able to buy a house when we move to NC. I'm very excited.

That is awesome that you guys can buy a house. That is a dream of mine, since hurricane Katrina the houses in my area have tripled so it is a dream we may not reach anytime soon.

Know any single handsome marines 37-42ish??? They would be way to disciplined for me, lol.

 

[HeKnowsMyName]

We also try to take care of as much of the next morning's "ready" stuff the night before. We lay out our clothes, make sure we have found both of everyone's shoes, make sure homework is signed and backpacks are ready. We only have one vehicle, and once dh is in uniform, he can't get out of the car off base, so we have to be very organized in the AM.

I have a notebook that I put regular meals in (one on each page). I'll sticky 2 weeks worth and buy the groceries. The night before, I lay out one of the meals I've stickied so I know what we are having and how it cooks. I remove the sticky from that meal. It has helped tremendously!

Oh, and Crock Pots are a MUST!!!

Well share some recipes girl! I rarely use my crockpot.

Love the idea of this thread.

 

[CarrieAg93]

I was a SAHM for 5 years, but I went back to work part-time in August. I work 2 days a week as a speech pathologist. It's tough getting the boys out of the house in the morning, but doing stuff the night before definitely helps. We try to plan out our meals a week at a time.