This is my last week before I head back to work.
I think I'm ready. Don't get me wrong, I am very, very thankful I've been off for the last 4 months but I'm ready to get part of my "old" life back.
Maybe I'm a little weird.... I like working. I like contributing and putting in a good day's work. I like to be recognized for my accomplishments. I like to know that I've done something.
And, after the last month, I've realized that being a stay at home mom is not for me. I have LOVED the time that I've spent with my kids but it has become very monotonous.
Diaper change, bottle, nap. Diaper change, bottle, nap. Diaper change, bottle, nap.
I think part of the monotony is from being stuck in the house. I'm sure it's different as the seasons change. Having the twins in winter has been hard because we can't get out of the house very easily. Sure we could walk around the mall but it never seems worth it. By the time we finish with a feeding, I only have a 2 hour window before it's time to eat again. When you figure in drive time and packing and unpacking the car, that leaves an hour. When I weigh all of that, it seems easier to just stay home. No kidding, I have gone 2 weeks without leaving the house.
We did have a 60 degree day last week and I took them for a walk in the stroller and that was awesome! Even something as simple as that helps to break up the day.
There is a large part of me that is a little sad. After spending every waking hour with the kids, it makes me sad to think that my time with them will be reduced to an hour in the morning, a few hours in the evenings and weekends. If I could find a half-way point and figure out how to work part-time, I think I would be one happy camper. But, I make just enough to count and there's no way we could live on one salary.
This week, DH and I are practicing our routine to prepare for my return to work. We got up and practiced everything up to driving. Here's my schedule from here on out. Ugh! 4 am?!
4:00 am Alarm goes off*
4:00 - 5:00 am Feeding
5:00 - 6:00 am Shower and dress while DH gets kids dressed and ready
6:00 - 6:30 am Drive to daycare
6:30 - 7:00 am Drive to work
7:00 - 3:30 pm Work
3:45 pm Pick up kids from daycare
4:30 pm Arrive back home, prep for another feeding and somehow try to start dinner** before Daddy gets home at 6:00 pm.
* Unless the kids wake up first but for the last 2 weeks, they've been sleeping until 4-5:00 am.
** Anyone have any good, low-prep dinner recipes?
This morning went well and I would have been ready to walk out the door at 5:50 am. Hopefully every morning goes that smoothly. Ha!
I know the first 2 weeks or so are going to be rough. We've been used to getting up at 4-5 am anyway and I've been trying not to take naps during the day but I do have that option.
I'm pretty sure my boss would frown upon me crawling under my desk for a cat nap (although the parking garage might start to look very appealing).
7 comments:
omg. the going back to work time sucks. you've totally gotten used to your schedule at home and then you have to do some crazy schedule... i've found that showering the night before after the kids go down has been helpful in streamlining things in the am. I have to get the kids ready by myself though b/c B leaves at 6am and they don't go to daycare until 8am....so I've got two hours by myself where I have to be prepared for the meltdowns! lol.
I also pulled out the crock pot recently and bought a $8 book online with 1000+ recipes. Seriously. Many are low prep. Sometimes, I'll even try to do the prep the night before, if possible, so I can just dump everything in there and then it's ready when I get home. I also have used a place called Main Dish....you pick up frozen prepared meals and only have to bake them at your house. I use those in emergencies and when I don't have time to go to the store!
...And I totally get you about wanting to get out of the house. I'm in the midwest and have basically been stuck in the house since the kids came. We did get a few walks in before halloween, but i'm *dying* to get out with them!!!
april
strongblonde.wordpress.com
I feel the same EXACT way as you. While I truly LOVE being home with my kids, it's just not for me FULL TIME. I said that to my co-worker and she couldn't believe I said it (she was a SAHM when her kids were little.) She made me feel a little guilty that I thought that. I need to feel that accomplishment and get some grown up conversation, I also feel sort of depressed staying at home all day. I might think differently when the weather changes, but for now I am loving my three days a week. Hope your transition back to work goes as smooth as mine did. I will be thinking of you.
Oh and I too have gone crockpot crazy so that dinners are ready when we get home. That and this new weight watchers cookbook I got that is 5 ingredients and 15 minute meals. DH does the pick up so sometimes he starts dinner, but it is all me in the a.m. I am lucky that our babysitter doesn't mind if the kids come in their jammies most of the time.
For something Different...
Google SupperWorks. See if there is one in your area. My trip to supperworks... Cost $170, meals made... 12! Delicious easy to cook, already prepped meals... And healthy! And I was only there for an hour and half. So it's one night out with wine and you get almost 2 weeks worth of food out of it. Just an idea!
I really hope you enjoy this last little bit of time home with the babies. I understand the need to be out, I watched my SIL almost lose it! Best Wishes!
Just wanted to say good luck with it all!
Good Routine!! Yes, it will be hard. I hope you can stick to it! Kids will change their wake up times probably once they get to daycare. Let em know how that works out.
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