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Three weeks ago, I started paid work for two days a week. When I say started back paid work I mean at my office job in the city. Let me tell you how it went and how I felt.
The night before my first day, I organised the girls kindy bags, but there are always things that they need for bed, that they will also need at Kindy, like their comfort blanket, called a ‘snuggle' at my house. Sometimes you forget how much stuff two little girls need. I ironed my clothes. I felt organised. My girls usually get up just after 5am. I woke at 5.20am and it was silent. I was wondering why I hadn't heard from the girls. But after checking on them I found they were both still sound asleep. So, I headed to have a shower on my own!!! All the mothers out there will understand that having a peaceful shower on your own is to be treasured. After getting dressed, my girls where still asleep. It is always the way. The day you need them up and running they are asleep. Why doesn't this happen on the weekend!
So, I set the breakfast table and then I heard that they were both awake.
We all had breakfast together and my hubby and I each dressed a girl. We finally got into the car with daddy's help. The drop off at kindy was not as easy as I anticipated, and took a lot longer. I had three bags a baby and a 3 year old who wanted to be carried. How do mum and dads of four kids get this stuff done??? I give myself a pep talk about bout how lucky I am and that puts a smile back on my face. I kiss the girls goodbye and walk out. I hate this part of a work day. The baby is happy, she has no idea I won't be around all day. The three year old is sad but ok. On my drive to work I am already exhausted and excited. I am still wondering how other parents do this. I also realise I was so lucky that I could stay home for the first 8 months. I had a wonderful day at work. I feel like my brain is on holidays. I can't even seem to write a simple email. I have to write the smallest messages down, so I don't forget. I am thinking I don't have the brain for this. But my mushy brain slowly starts to remember how it used to work. At lunch time I ring to see how the baby is going. She has having a terrible time. She has been upset the whole day. I just want to pack up and go give her a big kiss and cuddle. I ring my husband and ask if he can leave work a bit early to go and get her. I feel like crying. Here I am having a great time and my baby is at kindy crying. I starting thinking this is not going to work for our family.
When I finally got home that night, I had two upset and very tired girls who didn't really want their dinner or a bath or anything. We finally get them both to bed by 9pm. My husband says to me ‘this is going to work'. We make a pact to stick it out for the next three weeks.
Anyway that was three weeks ago and the baby has now settled in to kindy and is now having great days. My three year old is happier because her baby sister is happy. I have negotiated with my wonderful bosses to be based at home and only go to the office when needed. That cuts down my travel time, saving me two and a half hours a day. So when my husband now picks the girls up and gets home, I walk out of my office here at home and I have finished work for the day.
It is wonderful. Family life has settled back into a nice routine. To all mothers who are trying to find a work life - family life balance, I know it's hard. Life settled down for me after about three weeks into getting back into the workforce. Also try thinking outside the square or try negotiating your hours or where you work from. I guess the main thing is you are not alone. |
