Working night shift, spouse working night shift & kids

[misselena]

My hubby and I have been discussing what we will do if, when the time comes, I find a position and it's a night shift. He works shift work so every couple weeks he is on nights, and every couple of weeks he's on days. We have three kiddos, all which will be in school, so it's not days I'm worried about, it's what we would do if we were both on nights.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Do you get an over-night sitter? (shudder)

I would absolutely prefer nights, but just trying to think about a feasible schedule is starting to make me think it may not be possible!:smackingf

[paularry,rn]

It may not help but I am a single daddy I have a 2 & 3 year old and work 7p-7a 3 nights a week. They stay with my mama and sleep while I work. I pick them up as soon as I get off and try to get some sleep before I got back to work it was hard at first but we have gotten used to it and now I would never go to day shift

[misselena]

Wow, you are my hero! How do you manage to get any sleep when they're there? I have two 2 yo twins, so I know how it is. :) That is a good idea about taking them to sleep at grandma's those nights.

[GM2RN]

Hire a nursing (or other college program) student that is willing to stay the night. He/she can make some extra money for doing homework and/or sleeping, and you won't have to pay a ton of money for a sitter.

[misselena]

Hire a nursing (or other college program) student that is willing to stay the night. He/she can make some extra money for doing homework and/or sleeping, and you won't have to pay a ton of money for a sitter.

That's a pretty good idea, too...:)

[GM2RN]

That's a pretty good idea, too...:)

If a nursing student, you might even offer a little help with homework or tutoring as part of your agreement.

[mama2midwife]

I work nights and have three daughters. Nights work best for us. I have had college students stay with them, and they are 15, 13, and almost 10. We have dinner together before I leave, and the sitter takes them to school in the morning, as I don't get home in time. Then I sleep until it's time to pick them up from school. Most college students are more than happy to have access to cable, internet, and home cooked food as well as any money that they can get their hands on.

[caliotter3]

I had a sitter one time where I took my child dressed in pajamas, for the night shift. She only slept there and I picked her up in the morning. Since the parents slept all night and really didn't do anything with her, they charged me a reduced babysitting rate. I still think it is better to have someone come to your house though.

[misselena]

I had a sitter one time where I took my child dressed in pajamas, for the night shift. She only slept there and I picked her up in the morning. Since the parents slept all night and really didn't do anything with her, they charged me a reduced babysitting rate. I still think it is better to have someone come to your house though.

It would be nice, definitely, to have someone come stay at our house. So, did you sleep when she went to school, then?

[caliotter3]

This was before she went to school. I slept a little in the morning, then was up, back and forth. Made for a very exhausted me.

[misselena]

This was before she went to school. I slept a little in the morning, then was up, back and forth. Made for a very exhausted me.

I bet! I have two toddlers at home now, I get a full night's sleep (sometimes), and I'm still exhausted!

[IHeartPeds87]

Do you mind me asking, about how much do you pay for an overnight sitter like that? For a college student to come to your house and truly be able to sleep/hang out/do homework/whatever and just have common courtesy type rules, how much would you charge?