Going from 36 to 55 hours a week
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Anonymous
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I work about 55 hours a week, OP, and organization is the key.
- I went totally old-school and bought a big calendar with large daily squares to keep track of my hours, birthdays, events, etc which for some reason helped me more than an electronic calendar. - I also have a set routine for cleaning on section of my house every morning as a PP mentioned and do make most of my dinners on Sunday or make sure I have frozen dinners. - What you want to avoid is running out of something (like toilet paper or deodorant) and needing to run out in the late evening so make sure you have back-ups of everything. - All social events pretty much need to be scheduled. I have to force myself to go out (although once I am out I always have a good time). |
Anonymous
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I work 70 hours a week. As part of that, I have an arrangement with my employers where I make 3 square meals for the kids (and enough dinner for the whole family) and I eat with them. This way I don't have to get up a d make breakfast for myself, then go to work where I make breakfast/lunch/dinner for the kids, then drive home and make my own dinner and do all my dishes. Instead, my time off is empty to run an errand or watch a tv show or meet someone for late coffee, which is hugely helpful to me in having some semblance of a life, and my employers walk in to find dinner on the table 5 nights per week.
I also work out at work to some extent--either doing yoga during naptimes or going on long walk with kids in tow. My employers know that this is an important part of avoiding burnout and we have a mutually respectful and flexible relationship. |
Anonymous
+1 I have a big paper planner too. It's so much easier for me to stay organized with one instead of an electronic one. It has lots of space -- I have different sections for work, exercise, and activities with friends. Love it. PP brought up a good point about things like toilet paper. What I usually do is buy two of something (let's say toothpaste. They usually offer boxes of two anyway). When I use up one tube of toothpaste and still have a full tube left, I'll make a note to buy more toothpaste. That way I never run out. Same with toilet paper -- I buy more when I'm down to the last 3 or 4 rolls instead of waiting until the very end of things. Agree with PP about food too. I make sure to keep a few frozen meals on hand in case I need to grab something quick, but I also try and meal prep a lot too. Sometimes it's small things -- keeping bananas and apples on hand, cutting up fruit and veggies so they're washed and in individual containers, making something like meatballs and freezing the extras, etc. |
Anonymous
| I work at least 55 hours a week, normal schedule being 8am-7pm, and I am not sure I can see what is tripping you up. I have plenty of time and energy to go out with friends, shop, etc. |
Anonymous
Yawn. |
Anonymous
Sanctimony is boring. I bet her little apartment is a pig sty. OP wants to keep a clean HOME, Little Girl. |
Anonymous
If you aren't tired from an eleven hour day caring and teaching children then you are one of the lazy-assed nannies. Do your job right and you will be tired. I am 24 and in good physical shape and I am beat after running around after two toddlers and engaging them all day. |
Anonymous
I'm sorry you don't have the energy. You could try eating healthier or maybe getting a little cardio time in throughout the day. |
Anonymous
You are lying, Angel, or as PP said - a very lazy nanny. NP here and I am the mother of an infant and a toddler -- I know how to do your job RIGHT and you aren't doing it! |
Anonymous
How much energy does texting and watching TV all day actually burn? |
Anonymous
+1 My thoughts exactly. Nannies complaining about how hard their jobs are are full of crap. |
Anonymous
Seriously. If you come home from being a nanny and are aching and tired and burned out you should probably go see a doctor because something big is wrong. Holding and feeding a baby and watching TV during his 3 naps and texting your friends while he sits in a swing or exersaucer shouldn't be killing you. |
Anonymous
OMG, you people here are ridiculous. I care for toddler triplets 11-12 hours a day. No screen time is allowed at all with me, which is fine. They nap about 2 hours a day and during that time I usually eat a quick lunch, finish their laundry (usually do a load every day), prepare their dinner and then prep for our afternoon activity. I am on the go almost my entire shift. |
Anonymous
| Why do you keep arguing with someone who is obviously trying to stir up drama? Just ignore it and reply to OP. Derailing the thread doesn't do any good. |
Anonymous
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I have worked 55+ hour jobs plus commuting all my professional life and still managed to have a clean organized house and a social life.
Organization is key. Don't waste time running around town. Know what you need to do and organize your time accordingly. Stop for groceries on your way home one night a week if that is convenient. Even better shop super early on a sat or sun when there are fewer people in the store and you can get in and out quickly. Amazon prime also is worthwhile for anyone who works long hours, I think. Learn to use a crockpot. Cook meals that provide leftovers to reduce the cooking and clean up you have to do midweek. Hit the gym early on your way to work if you want that as part of your lifestyle. Lots of people do that and still get to the office early. Being a nanny doesn't factor into dealing with a job that has long hours. Lots of people in all kinds of professions work long hours. |