question for stay at home moms

My oldest I basically did by myself for 2 1/2 years, only evening babysitters and she started preschool 2 full days when she was 2y4m but then I was already pregnant with the twins. My mom came when they were born, she stayed for 3 weeks. Then we had night help 3 nights a week for 7 weeks. Then we had 2 x 4 hours help for the twins and I had 3 x 2 hours help in the evening for my oldest (making her dinner, putting her down, etc.). We later changed this to 2 evenings. My husband is basically away from home for 13 hours, now even 14 (he leaves 6.30 am, comes home around 8.30 pm). Oldest was in school 2 full days, later 3 days from 8 to 3. Cleaning help as well, once a week. Parents live over 6000 miles away.

We then moved back to Europe, I had the twins in day care 2 mornings and my oldest in preschool 4 mornings 3 hours, only. Cleaning help once a week. Parents live 2 hour drive away. My husband started working in Hong Kong a month after we returned, so I've been by myself for 4-5 months, day and night, besides the little help, some weekends at my parents, etc.

But now, I have a full time live in help, for about $450 a month ... no more cleaning, no more ironing, no more cooking, and always a baby sitter on hand! I play field hockey again, we go out for dinner, I run errands when they sleep and are able to spend more quality time with my children. I feel lucky! But I also feel lucky that I know what it's like to do it on my own, I feel extra lucky to have the full time live in help now. It's super special!

 

i am doing it all by myself and really enjoy it... if you will think it like enjoyment you will really enjoy the time. yes the early months were so tiery and restless.. and sometimes i felt like i could not do it anymore, but as did not have anyone around so had to think positive and at the end of the day my husband was the sourse of encouragemant for me always as he always understood my feelings and was around there when i needed any help.

 

No help here either.

If you can get it or afford it, I recommend it. Even if it's just for an hour once a week.