Best Schedule for Mom's with Toddlers

Nurses Career Support

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Hi Everyone,

I am trying to figure my work schedule for when I return to work after having baby #2. I currently have a 15mo and one on the way. They will be 18months apart!

My current position allows me to work M-F 8am-2pm, but I have a 45min commute. I am trying to decide if I should continue with this schedule or go back to working a combination of 12hour and 8 hour shifts, leaving me with more days off during the week.

My husband works regular hours anywhere from 7:30am-6pm depending on his schedule for the day. Any advice on what type of scheduling might be best for quality time with my little ones and family time? I've weighed the pro's and con's of each, but my head is spinning I'm still unsure of what will be best.

What do you find works best for you? A M-F schedule or working 12's or 8's?

Thanks for you advice and opinions!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Dialysis, Hospice.

Well, this is what worked for us when our two kids, who are now 19 and 21, were small.

My husband worked full-time days with a start time of roughly 6am. His job covered us for benefits, so I took advantage of the fact that working in the per diem float pool at my hospital paid about $5/hour more than a regular position, due to the fact that benefits were not available, which I didn't need anyway. That way, I could work two 12 hour night shifts a week instead of three because I made so much more per hour. My husband would take the kids over to his parents' house on his way to work on the days following my night shift, since I didn't get home until 7:30 or 8am, and I would pick the kids up at his parents' house after I had gotten a few hours of sleep. Since I was only working two nights a week and had five days off, I never really felt sleep deprived, so I didn't need to go home and sleep all day because I rarely had to go back in to work that following night.

This system meant that we never had to try to find child care outside of the family, which to me is a very scary proposition anyway, and I almost felt like a full-time stay at home mom. It was awesome!!

I realize that this all depends on whether or not you are a night shift person, whether or not you need benefits through your employer, or whether or not you have loving, trustworthy family members close by who are available to provide child care, but it worked extremely well for us and I will always be truly thankful for being able to do it this way. :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I can go per diem working the pool with the stress of floor nursing and make a little more and only work 2-3 days...or I can keep my easy desk job and schedule of m-f 6 hours a day with no weekends or holidays and make less! Either way I need daycare! This is so hard! I really don't know what's better for my family !

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Specializes in ER.

I didn't like not seeing my kids 3 days a week, 13 hour shifts plus driving =kids asleep before and after I got home. I switched to a mon-fri job. I still work an 11 1/2 shift once a week but I get off early every Friday. I also accrue sick and annual leave. I can use the sick leave for my kids if they get sick. I can use my annual leave for school events if I want to.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I guess I should add that I don't get any benefits or paid time off with my current m-f job either.

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I work m-f 8:30-5 no weekends or holidays. My husband works nights and has Sunday Monday off days so he stays home with kids (1 and 4) Monday and Tuesday, the rest of the week they go to a daycare so dad can sleep after work that has cameras installed so I can watch them whenever I want. This has always worked best because if the kids get sick they can stay home with dad so neither of us have to call off. I don't like being gone 5 days a week but its the only way I can work full time.

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