Reply to Working Parents Who Aren’t Tired — Tell us your schedule or secret sauce

Forum Index » General Parenting Discussion

Reply to "Working Parents Who Aren’t Tired — Tell us your schedule or secret sauce"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Hmmm I feel like the responses here aren’t particularly helpful for your situation. Some posters are answering your question - ie spilling their “secrets” - but if their secret is only having one kid, I don’t see how that helps you.

Other PPs are critiquing your day, like the meal stuff, which might be helpful to you, but sometimes life is what it is. If you really can’t get around making 3 meals a night, you know what you have to do - either simplify it enough where it’s not a burden (microwaveable meals, kids make their own meal, whatever) or outsource to a paid person.

I have four kids and am early-mid 40s. I’d say my energy level is where yours is.

Some suggestions -

I am comfortable saying no. Saying no to my kids, to the PTA, to other moms. It sucks to not be able to do “all the things” but I just don’t have the bandwidth.

In the past we have hired college aged folks to help us logistically get kids to and from sports / activities. We also pick sports and activities that are nearby and easy to manage.

I wish we ate better but we don’t. I have stopped worrying if my kid occasionally has cereal or waffles for dinner.  I have a picky eater who eats more chicken nuggets than I ever have. The kids go to a school that has a wide variety to healthy lunch options, so I know they do get some healthy stuff in every day.

My kids are younger than yours but they go to bed at 730. That lets me have some “me time” at night, where I can workout or, more realistically, snuggle up with DH and watch a show. 
[/quote]

If you are getting home around 530/6 and kids are in bed by 730 — when do you see them? [/quote]

Here’s a general outline for our family - and please don’t think I’m saying this is “right”, I don’t judge anyone by how much/little time they spend with their kids!

For weekdays -

My husband’s job is typically 8-6, M-F. He works outside the home. Luckily he is an early riser - by 6 AM.

Kids get up around 6 or 630 and leave for school at 8. They get home at 4.

So for my husband, he usually gets his quality time in with the kids early (say 6-645 AM, before they need to get ready for the day) and maybe 1 hour at night.

My schedule is much more erratic. If I’m rested (or need to get stuff done!), I’ll get up at 6 so I have 2 hours with the kids in the AM (some true quality time - cuddling, talking, reading; some of that time is getting ready for the day). Other days I’ll get up at 7 or even 730 (!) and barely give them a kiss before they leave for school.

In general I get 4-730 with the kids but sometimes I have calls, emails, etc. Sometimes I have to work after they go to bed. Sometimes I work a few hours on Saturday morning while my husband does something with the kids.

I’m also the parent who does all the kid appointments, anything school related, etc… so yeah my schedule varies quite a bit![/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics