For those of you that work full time, do you feel guilty about the time spent away from the kids. I have worked part time since having kids and it's been perfect. My job now is at a stage where I must go full time. My part time position will be made redundant. I do love my job and I feel physically ready to go full time but with my baby starting prep next year I feel like I'll miss out on so much. I'm hoping to not go full time till half way next year. How do all you full time mothers cope with kids, house, work etc? I know we'll adjust but I'm hoping my family won't suffer from it.
3 Replies
if she is going into prep I would say go for it when they finally start school you actually feel a bit lost at the sudden change from being drowned in kids to suddenly nothing.
I was working full time managing 3 contracts and studying full time when my eldest two were heading into preschool and prep, my youngest was in fulltime child care but quite often came to work with me literally strapped to me and I felt AWFUL but there wasn't any choice we lived in a city which cost the equivalent of north shore Sydney to live in and I was working ridiculously long hours in the office and at home after I got them go bed.
school age, is a bit different they are moving around and making their own way alot more. and it can be hard to step back and let them, that is when you really need the distractions to keep you busy.
housework.
I brought myself a dishwasher and the kids had their own chores to do and still do which includes loading and unloading the dishwasher.
No, I didn't feel guilty for going to work fulltime. My family didn't suffer because I've always had the attitude of everyone pitches in and does what they can for themselves even when I was home. So my kid has always been independent for his age, despite his disabilities. Plus if you aren't home there just isn't as much housework to do.
I streamlined as much as possible my cleaning schedule. Plus if you have a partner then they need to be doing there share.
Yes it can make it hard to attend school activities and you'll probably find you make some and not others but again if you and your partner (if you have one) take it in turns attending school events it works out quite well.
Consider purchasing a robot vacuum, I love mine and saves me so much time. Also explore doing the food shopping online, I love how much time it saves.
I have not worked less than 30 hours per week since my daughter was one. Yes, I feel a lot guilty. I am a single mum and it takes a lot of juggling. I lean on my family a lot. My mum helps with the school run and taking my daughter to dance lessons etc. so she doesn't miss out. Its hard trying to arrange urgent doctors appointments around work commitments that are too hard to shuffle. My house is often a mess because at the end of the day, the last thing I feel like doing is cleaning and we are often busy on weekends. I am either ferrying her around or taking advantage of her being at her father's to do some fun stuff for me lol! I would say figure out what is most important for you and your family to get done each day/week and don't sweat the rest.