Going back to work - any tips???

[Mummita]

I'm going back to work and a little apprehensive! I went back to work after DD but I only had one child and it was only 2 days a week. Now I have 2 kids and am a bit worried how we are going to get out the door on time in the mornings and other practical things. But most importantly, I'm worried about how my kids will cope. Was wondering if any other working parents have any tips??

[JabberJaw]

Get ready the night before. (lunches,clothes ready etc)

Wash a load at night, hang out following morning, bring in when you get home, fold weekends or as you go.


Have dinner ready to heat when you come home (for the kids anyhow, my kids use to have whatever i cooked the night previous, when they were in bed and settled i would cook dinner for me, and theres for the following day)

The kids will cope, BUT it will take a few weeks for them to settle into the routine.

Make weekends special and fun.

You will be fine.

[Mummita]

Thanks for tips JJ.

[Chickadee]

Set a morning routine for the kids and stick to it. Ours for DD is breakfast, teeth, get dressed, make sure everything is ready to take to school. Only then can she play or watch tv. Some parents find that a chart on the wall helps little ones remember it.

Get yourself up and ready before the kids get up. I don't quite manage this, but the mornings that I do always go smoother.

[2s'nuff]

Don't try and do too much around the house in the first few weeks of work.

As long as you've all got clothes to wear and food to eat, let the rest wait until the weekend.

I put a load of washing on most nights and hang it up on clothes horses before I go to bed.
I organise lunches and clothes for the next day before bed.
I have a lot of pre-cooked meals (soup, spag bol sauce, apricot chicken, savory mince) in the freezer and/or rely on easy meals during the week: cooked chook, frozen fish etc.

We tend to do the same things in the same order at the same time each morning. It means the kids know what's next and I know what has to be done by what time to get out the door on time.

Give yourself and the kids time to adjust to the new morning routine and you'll find things flow in no time.

Lisa

[WorkingClassMum]

Routine, routine, routine!

Remember that you are working to live, not living to work

As per other PP's, get all that you can ready the night before, including making lunches and laying out your own clothes!

Often the school bags are packed the night before and actually put in the car.

Put up a timetable of who is where at any point of time, including kids at sport, music or the library etc

Get out tomorrow's meat tonight and put it in the fridge.

Double up on some items like socks, jocks and knickers so that if you get behind in the washing you have enough 'essentials' to get through.

Stock up on emergency supplies like long life milk etc so that you're not caught short.

Let some things go a little - like the dusting. I can dust in a few minutes if expecting guests if the house is tidy, so my energy is towards things being tidy.

The bed's don't have to be made, just turn back the doona, let the bed air, and just straighten the sheet n pillow.

My kids put their pj's inthe bathroom each morning so that when we get home - DD goes straight into the bath.

Invest in a slow cooker.

Take some time out for yourself every now and then

[Mummita]

Thanks for advice! Have been back at work for 2 weeks now and so far so good. Kids adjusted a lot better than Mummy did. So many great tips - stocking freezer with meals, giving kids the dinner that we had previous night, preparing lunches & clothes etc night before, long life milk in cupboard for back-up. Thanks again!!