How to have energy after work?

[Anonymous]

Bedtime is too late. My 19 month old is in bed by 7:30 every night. Not only is this great for him because he needs the rest but I need that time too. From 7:30-10:30 is when I get everything done. Lunches packed, coffee maker prepped,
Laundry, dishes etc.

[Anonymous]

I was (and largely still am) in a similar situation as the OP. I finally realized that something had to give and I informed my spouse that I would no longer be cooking dinner on weekdays. (I am the only parent at home at dinnertime.) I will reheat leftovers or dish out what's in the crock pot, but the hell with making a full-on dinner after a long workday! It made a big difference... You have to pick something to let go of!

[Anonymous]

Cook 5 pounds of pasta on Sunday about a minute shy of being done. That gets reheated in the microwave in a minute vs cooking fresh and dirtying a pot. Add tuna salad. Or sauce. Or chicken breasts that you also can cook ahead and reheat. Or slice and eat cold. Or as a sandwich.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids (10 mo and 4yo) also go to bed at 9.30-10. The problem is the long nap 4yo takes in school/camp. And the new arrival is too excited to go to bed if big brother is up. They get all the sleep they need (thanks to naps), I am exausted. 1 hour commute each way plus 9h of work... I fall asleep before they do sometimes.

But if your 4 year old got more sleep at night, then the nap at school might not be so long.

They make them nap no matter what; on weekends we give him no nap and he goes to bed by 8-8.30...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gradschool. When it's over, you'll have energy. And you're super lucky to have DH clean and provide childcare, most moms don't have it. Or have longer work days.

I agree with your comment, but every couple I know has a DH who cleans and take care of children. Does anyone reading this actually have a DH who doesn't clean or take care of his children?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gradschool. When it's over, you'll have energy. And you're super lucky to have DH clean and provide childcare, most moms don't have it. Or have longer work days.

I agree with your comment, but every couple I know has a DH who cleans and take care of children. Does anyone reading this actually have a DH who doesn't clean or take care of his children?

The families with husbands who cleans and take care of kids spend their free time riding their unicorn and raising their gnomes and fairies.