For Mommy's that work

I found out tonight that I've been hired as the new Police Secretary in my home-town :banana:
The hours will be 9:00 to 5:00 (Good thing cause it will probably take me till 9:00 to get there)

My twins have never went to daycare......I was wondering if you have any tips for me to help them adjust?? Also any tips for ME on how to adjust?? :shok: I haven't worked in 7 years (nor since children )

Anything to make it all go smoother for all of us :unsure:

Aside from missing my children.......I'm really gonna miss those afternoon naps :blush: :winking0009:

 

My twins started daycare at 4 months, they did very well there. They were in there until they were 2 (I just stopped working). It was so hard putting them in there at the beginning, but they did so well. We had a system where I got up and got everything ready in the AM and then left for work. My DH would drop them off and then I would pick them up. In the beginning, you can call and check on them here and there. My kids learned so much there that I hated taking them out. Good Luck and Congrats on your new job. You will adjust to the schedule and so will the kids.

 

Congratulations!

The first thing that came to mind, not sure if you have enough time before your job starts, was to ease them into the every day schedule. Would it be possible to do a couple days one week, 3 or 4 the next then full time the following week before you have to start working so you are available should there be any issues?

The other thing I found very important was to realize that it was a big transition for everyone and it was going to take some time to find the normalcy (and the ability to get everything done). It was probably 2 or 3 weeks before I felt human again and felt I had everything under control.


Set your expectations low for the transition and let yourself be surprrsed when things work out!

 

I went back to work when the girls were 12 weeks old. We have had live-in help (au pairs) mostly since then. BUT...au pairs are a 1 year thing for the most part and realize, your kids get VERY attached to these nice people they spend so much time with...so the transition relies on talking a lot about what is going to happen, where they will be going, making it an exciting thing. Have they visited, played on the playground there? We are also about to start preschool in the Fall and the girls were there just once but can't wait to go back and talk about the teacher (remember her name) and about the playground there. I would think the daycare would be in favor of visits to acclimate them and get used to the people and the other children WITH mommy before you leave them there for the long day.

 

Congratulations on the job!!! I went back to work full time when my boys were almost a year old. We tried day-care for 3 months and it didn't work out, so we went the nanny route. When the boys turned 3 our nanny moved out of state and our boys started a military preschool full time, but then we switched to a private preschool/thru 7th grade, so we have definitely been through some changes in our house! Each time we changed arrangements there was an adjustment period, but what I found, is that the kids are far more adaptable than I am.

As for what can you do to help them with the adjustment....I recommend easing them into the transition, like Dianne said, if possible. Also, if they have a favorite comfort item most day-cares will allow you to bring them. A picture of you kept in the diaper bag is also an idea for times when they miss mommy/daddy. And always leave them and greet them with a smile. If they see that you are happy, they will feed off those emotions. If you leave them in tears, you can expect them to cry also.

As for what you can do to help yourself adjust.....I recommend making a weekly menu so trying to figure out what's for dinner is not an issue when you get home at night. I also recommend creating a chore chart, something I just did myself. This helps to spread household chores throughout the week so everything isn't left for Saturday morning. Also try to spend just a few minutes with each child every single day, even if it is only for 10 minutes. They will enjoy the one-on-one time and so will you.

Good Luck!!!

 

I went back to work when my girls were a year old. How do I do it? I tell you most days I feel like I'm just keeping it all together.
The idea of easing them into daycare it great and if you have time a must. My girls started day care three weeks before I went back to work. The first two days I was there with them the whole time. Over the next three days I was there with them less and less. On the first Monday back I stayed half the day then after that they were on their own, but I still had a week to get our schedule settled and them used to being dropped off and picked up with out me having to rush to work right after. They love daycare. Our center is also an official preschool so they will be in the preschool class from this August.

 

Congratulations on your new job!! You will figure it all out!

I haven't worked since my twins were born, but just wanted to say hats off to everyone that does!! :bow2:

 

The best advice I can give you is to let some things go at first. I remember coming home and being completely overwhelmed by cooking dinner and the clean up then looking at my bedroom and seeing piles of laundry everywhere. Try not to let that get to you too much. Also ask for help from your DH or anyone else willing to give it. My DH does the laundry and most of the light cleaning like vaccuming and dusting. You will need quick meals because you don't want meals to take up your entire evening. Throw things in the crockpot before work so you don't have to worry when you get home. I also have a pressure cooker which I love because I can cook almost anything in under an hour.

Also the kids will want some time with you when you first walk in the door so give yourself permission to sit down and give the kids physical contact before cooking. Lots of kissing, hugging, tickling, wrestling. Then let them pull out some pots and pans and help you because they won't want to leave your side.

If you have any kind of commute or MP3 player or CD burner I highly recommend listening to www.manicmommies.com. They are working moms who offer lots of great insight to the crazyness of working and raising kids.

Good luck and feel free to PM me anytime if you have questions or feel completely overwhelmed.

 

I went back to work when my girls were 14 weeks old. I love my schedule as a school librarian -- I feel like I get some of both worlds. I thought I'd give you just a list of tips --something may click for you that's helpful.

• Prepare as much as possible the night before. Pack the diaper bag, fix your lunch, have your older child set out his clothes, etc.
• Use a crock-pot. Even just once a week can be a life saver!
• Figure out early on which chores your DH can assume, if he's not already doing a lot, then LET HIM.
• Figure out which chores you can relax on altogether.
• Set up and use a family calendar.
• Have a designated spot for things going in or out of the house.
• Set a timer in the evenings and work on housework for that amount of time and no more.
• Let your kids stay at day care 30 more minutes if it means you can squeeze in grocery buying, the pharmacy, or whatever errands are h-e-l-l with them in tow.
• Wash one load of laundry a day, don't let it wait til the weekends (unless that's the chore your DH takes - then LET HIM do it however he wants).

Congratulations on the job! Your kids will love telling their friends how their mommy knows all the police officers!

 

When I go back to teaching this August my peanuts will begin preschool. What I have done is taken them over a couple of times to see the place and their teacher for an hour. I have also hired a mother's helper which is a former students coming 2 days a week for three hours so they see someone new a few times a week.

After the boys first birthday we are taking them to the preschool for a couple of days for about 2-3 hours where we leave and see how they do. Then the following week a couple of 1/2 days and then the days left full days. So, when I go back to work they should be adjusted fine.

A full day for me will be 7:00-3:00.....I will have them picked up by 3:00.

 

Lots of great tips! I just wanted to add that Heather's comment about making a weekly menu reminded me to mention that we have a "[topic="29705"]This Week's Menu[/topic]" over in the Cooking Forum in which several mom's are posting their weekly menu to give others ideas. I'm a working mom and I do set a menu at the beginning of each week, and do a major shopping trip most every Sunday (if not Sunday then Saturday). I do food prep either the night before or in the morning if needed, and never have to struggle with the "what are we having for dinner tonight question." And if I don't feel like it, there's always takeout!!

 

I am now finally off work and the boys out of daycare.

Before, I had about an hour drive to work/daycare in the morning. Most mornings it was such a rush to get everything done. My suggestion, like a PP is to get everything ready the night before - clothes, diaper bag, even have breakfast out to make so you don't have to think!

Because of the time I got off work and the drive, I would also bring their dinner with me, cook it at work and they would eat that in the van on the way home. That way I only had to worry about me and DH when we got home (they just couldn't wait until 6:30/7 to eat, too late for them!).

 

Congrats on the new job. I, too, will have to put our girls in daycare for the first time. My mom kept them all last year while I was teaching, but she has had to have back surgery and now they will have to go to daycare for 2 or 3 days a week. I hate the idea, but we have no other choice. I keep trying to think on the positive side of things--interaction with other kids will be good for them. I had such a bad daycare experience with my son that the thought of daycare makes me sick to my stomach. I hope that you find a good one.

 

We have a nanny so I am spoiled in that I don't have to get them ready in the morning or do the cleaning/laundry. But, it's still chaotic when I get home. Unless we have decided ahead of time on a specific dinner or have something that's quick and easy to make, my DH and I typically wait until the girls are in bed before we eat. I tend to just do quick things for dinner for the girls...things that can be prepped and cooked within 15 minutes or so. It's a good thing they LOVE chicken nuggets. We stick very closely to our schedule/routine and by 7:45, the girls are in their cribs and DH and I have time to do whatever we want. It will take a while to get into your own groove, but once you do, it will be fine. I actually think that working is more relaxing and less taxing than being with the girls all day. I don't know how the SAHM's do it. My hat is off to them.

 

First, congrats on the job!

I went back 8 weeks after the girls were born, so they have known nothing but the Child Development Center here since then and LOVE IT!!! Long weekends and holidays in the house are hard for them because they miss school so much. Also, it is on base with me so if anything does happen it takes roughly 5 minutes to get over there.

Yes, I get up at 430 to get myself ready, then get them up at 5 to get them dressed and downstairs for breakfast because we have to be out the door before 6 so I can be at work by 7. Mornings are the quickest time of my day and seem to be over before I know it. Don't worry, you will get into a routine and it will be like clockwork before you know it.

My best advice is to buy a crockpot...that has been the best $30 I have spent, especially when my hubby deployed for 5 months this past winter. Nothing is better than having a rough day, cranky babies in the car all the way home but realizing that you don't have to worry about dinner.

alexis

 

I don't really have any more advice to add, you have gotten so much good advice already. Just wanted to say congrats :clapping: on the new job, and just expect things to be a little hectic for a while. Eventually you and your family will find your routine, and everyone will adjust. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

I went back to work when my girls were 11 weeks old. We had a family friend that kept them at her house until May of this year. She decided it was too much for her with her own kids and their school activities. We had to find a day care in a short amount of time that had two openings in the same room. We found one we liked and the girls seem to like it. There are still some days that one or both will cry when I leave them, but I think it is more a phase they are going through than them not liking the day care center. They do the same thing when I leave them at home with their dad! I think they really enjoy the interaction with the other kids and all of the activities they do throughout the day. I think they are bored at home on the weekends. We have to try really hard to keep them entertained all day. he hardest thing for me is cooking dinner when we get home. I usually pick them up around 4:15pm and am home by 4:45pm. Most days they are really clingy and cranky when we get home and it is very hard to cook dinner. It is a lot easier if my husband is home so that he can help. Otherwise, it is something very quick and easy. I am going to go the cooking section and see if I can get some ideas to help me!

 

Again, everyone else has given you great advice. I'll just reiterate the advice to take it slow (if possible) and don't panic if it's rough -- it probably will be for the first week or so at least. Just like anything else, it gets easier with practice! Remember how overwhelming it was (at least it is for most people) the first time you left the house with your baby twins -- but that got easier, and so will this. You will get into a routine and learn some time-saving tricks.

Congrats on the job!

 

Congrats on your new job! I went back to work 8 weeks after the twins were born. At first they had a babysitter. Then a daycare. That daycare closed and we had to find a new one. They both love it. At first Brianne cried when I left. Many mornings I cried after I dropped them off. I called and checked on her. She was always fine a few minutes after I left. I know she likes it there because no matter how bad the mornings were, I had a hard time getting her to leave. LOL

It will take time for all of you to adjust. We try to pick out clothes the night before and have everything ready for morning. My worst mornings are when the girls get to sleep late and are tired in the mornings.

Good Luck!

 

Congrats!!

My kiddos didn't start daycare until they were 7m (we had a nanny up til then- I went back to work at 8w). The transition went rather smoothly, but they were much younger than your two.
So far, my kiddos love being able to play with the other kids and love the teachers.

Like alot of pp said. Get everything ready the night before. You can get a routine down. Imagine being able to get ready in the morning and not have to feed the babies breakfast! What I did when the kiddos were younger, I'd give them their sippys with milk and a cracker or 2 (to keep them busy, while I was getting ready) in the morning and at daycare they got their breakfast with water. If they are used to eating as soon as they get up, you might want to do that.
At night, even though they were on all milk, I make all 3 milk sippys for the day and put them in the fridge, Labled their snacks, and lunch (and put in the small diaperbag). All I had to do was grab their milk from the fridge on my way out!

 

Well I took them over to meet the new sitters......Its a home daycare (that is licenced) Its a lady, her husband and their 18 year old daughter and they have up to 12 kids at times......I've heard nothing but good things about them (people just rave about them) I sure hope that it will be the best place for them :unsure: But like I told my mother I'm going to be unsure till I see how everything goes......

Kyle LOVED the place (boy they will have their hands full with him :shok: ) There are knick nacks everywhere I asked her how did she keep the kids from messing with them, she said they learn :huh: .....At home we either bolt it to the floor or put it up out of their reach :blush: I just don't have the patience to keep staying on them :blush:

Katie on the other hand got scared by their dog that was barking at the cat (the dog is indoor/outdoor dog...Not thrilled with that idea :unsure: ) But maybe it will help her about animals cause we don't have a dog.

They are going to daycare Monday and Tuesday (I start to work Wednesday) So at least that way I can come home and cry instead of going to work and cry. Maybe by Wednesday we will all be a little better with it.

Please keep the tips coming I am taking in all the info you've gave me and will be putting it to use next week.......Meals is another concern of mine I'm going to check out the link you gave me for the "Whats for supper"

Thanks so much for the responses and the Congrats......I'm so anxious to start but I am SO nervous too :icon_eek:

 

You brought up a good point I forgot about - I had a week between them starting and me going back to work and yes, I just went home and cried, got some sleep and cried a little bit more. I knew they were/are in excellent hands, but I still breaks my heart when they wave and say bye-bye to me every morning.

Let us know how it goes!!

alexis

 

WOW Congratulations!!!

I am opposite you... I just left the workforce to stay home. My advice is to start everyone in their daily routine 1 week before you actually are scheduled to start work. That way you can pop in wherever and whenever you want. You will gain a peace of mind in knowing things are working out and that you saw during the day routines of your babies. You will also have a week to yourself to get everything together... haircuts, shopping etc. Good luck and congrats again on the job!!!

 

Thanks yall on the Congrats......I am thrilled to death about my new job :yahoo: ........I had SO many people tell me that I didn't have a chance at that job it was already filled when they ran it in the paper.....(our little town is so political :sorry: ) Usually you have to be kin to someone to get a good job and of course I'm not..... So I think not only am I shocked that I got it........but everyone else is too :laughing:

But I truely believe God was on my side for this one :bow2: :angel: My Mom knew about the comments that were made and I told her If God wants me to have it I will get it.......Otherwise I won't

I'll let yall know how they do Monday at daycare :good:

 

Thanks for posting this question. I am returning to work in August. I took this past year off to spend with my little ones. I have enjoyed it soooo much; however, I am looking forward to the social aspect of work. I am fortunate to have a nanny coming each day so I don't have to worry about getting the kids up and out the door. However, I do worry about how to maintain a home (dinner, cleaning, laundry, junk mail, etc). I enjoyed reading all of the tips you received. Congrats and good luck with your new job! God's will will be done!

 

Update.......

I took K & K to day care today.........I called and checked on them twice......They didn't cry but I'm sure when we walk in tomorrow they will be like "Oh NO you don't :blink: "

We walked in this morning and there was that Dog in the house I told the man my concern about Katie being scared of it and asked him if it stayed in all the time He said "Oh No" But when I went back to get them this afternoon there was the Dog again

I have them on a waiting list to a daycare that is More of a Public daycare and its only about 3 blocks from where I will be working.......I hope to have them moved soon or at least by the time school starts

They said Katie made it fine.......Kyle I think whined off and on all day.

On the upside I worked really hard in the house today getting ready for Wednesday.....I couldn't tell you when I've got so much done in one day. :winking0009:

 

Sounds like a good first day, hope today goes well! Don't work yourself too hard, you don't want to be exhausted when it comes time to go to work.

 

Sounds like it went well to me too.
Your big test will be Wednesday.

Don't worry too much about the dog, this is a great opportunity for your children to get to know an animal from an animal loving family. I personally think it is dangerous when people don't teach their young children how to interact with pets. This is something your children will have the opportunity to learn while you are at work.

 

Well of course today being my first day at work they nearly tore my legs off before I got out of the daycare

 

Yeah for you! I think in time you will grow to love your new "adult" life. ha ha. I know I do. I started back to work though when my twins were just 10 weeks old! Because i was at that time a single parent. SO I had no choice. But I think you will see that you are probably more worried than they are. I use daycare and my children have made tons of lasting friends. They will start kindergarden this august and now they already are in the swing of going to "school" Plsu many of their friends will go to the same school. I think daycare is great when you find the right one. The kids learn social skills that will carry them on through life.

Good luck and congratulations on the new job!

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