I am in the same position, OP, except working a second job that brings my total hours up to about 50 a week. I need to organize my personal life more and get on a strict schedule for myself.

Thanks for posting.

OP, a schedule will help you out.
Depending on your home/cleaning preference, you can so things a few ways. Each day clean a different room, or do a different "job" in the house, or do all your cleaning on one day over the weekend.

For example:
Monday: Kitchen, or dusting
Tuesday: Living space, or vacuuming
Wednesday: Bedroom, or cleaning counters

you get the idea.

With a social life, if your end time is set, I don't see the problem. You finish at 6:30 every night. Make plans with friends for dinner, drinks, a late night movie. If you don't want to go out during the week, have people over for a visit or make weekend plans.

No advice OP, but I'm here in the Bay area going through almost the exact same thing. 2 year old twins that I have been with since birth.

DB accepted a new job and my hours have increased significantly and as a result. I went from working 45 to at least 60 hours a week. I'm in my third week and still trying to figure out the most efficient ways to get things done since I have so much less free time now.

I echo the other PPs - organization is everything.

Anonymous wrote:Tell them you want back to go back to 35 hrs and they can hire do.some one else for the other 20 hrs.

OP here and I don't want to do that. My employers gave me that option when DB was offered this new job.

I just want to find a way to make it work. Thank you for the suggestions.

(I am in Los Angeles where it is only 7:15AM in case anyone was wondering why I was posting during my working hours -- I am off to work now!)

Tell them you want back to go back to 35 hrs and they can hire do.some one else for the other 20 hrs.

Being extremely well organized is the key. I love my crock pot and get two or three meals out of it each time.

Since you and your charge live in the same neighborhood, is it possible to do a few of your errands with him/her? A stroller ride is a stroller ride and as an MB I wouldn't mind at all if our nanny did a bank run or grocery store run with DC in tow.

Anonymous wrote:No advice, OP, but I hope they're paying you a good hourly rate.

Eleven hours a day, five days a week is a major sacrifice on your part for their career aspirations.

Many nannies do essentially sacrifice their personal lives for the benefit of the NF, and should be compensated accordingly.

Oh please. 55 hours a week is not much above a very typical full time schedule.

OP - is there a way you could use some vacation time to build in breaks? I'm an MB but this is what I do now since having kids. I use one vacation day a month (sometimes split into two half days) to take care of routine household stuff or errands, and to schedule a lunch or something with friends I wouldn't otherwise get to see. That might be one way to offset the change you're feeling. This takes some coordination and willingness from your employers of course, but if you have vacation time anyway it's not that hard to manage.

Anonymous wrote:No advice, OP, but I hope they're paying you a good hourly rate.

Eleven hours a day, five days a week is a major sacrifice on your part for their career aspirations.

Many nannies do essentially sacrifice their personal lives for the benefit of the NF, and should be compensated accordingly.

OP again and yes I am paid competitively and am getting overtime. My concern isn't with my salary but with still trying to have a life outside of being a nanny.

No advice, OP, but I hope they're paying you a good hourly rate.

Eleven hours a day, five days a week is a major sacrifice on your part for their career aspirations.

Many nannies do essentially sacrifice their personal lives for the benefit of the NF, and should be compensated accordingly.

Get super organized if you aren't already. I also do one twenty minute cleaning project every day before I leave for work which keeps me from ever needing to do more than straightening up when I get home.

Now that you are making more money, would it be possible to hire someone who can assist you in any domestic-related duties?

Perhaps you can hire a housecleaner to come in either weekly or bi-weekly to do the heavy, deep cleaning.

This will free up some of your spare time and you can use this precious time to focus on your social life.

Anonymous wrote:What are your work hours? And commute time?

OP here and I work 7:30 to 6:30 - no commute time (I live two blocks from my charge's home which is a five minute walk).

What are your work hours? And commute time?

I have been the nanny for a wonderful and very active 20 month old since his birth. A job change for DB now has me working 55 hours instead of my old 36 hours ever week. And while I love the increase in income I am finding it difficult to keep my personal life in order with the additional hours and exhaustion.

I know that most nannies work 50+ hours a week and was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to keep my own life working smoothly. I am a widow and live alone but would like to still have a social life with my friends and keep a clean home.

Any tips or suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.