Best schedule for a mom with small children

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Which would you prefer? All three options involve rotating weekends. One child in daycare, one in elementary school. Daycare covers all of spouse's working hours. Spouse has flexibility to help with drop-off and pick-up as needed.

7AM-3PM (5, eight hour shifts)

8AM-4PM (5, eight hour shifts)

7AM-7PM (3, twelve hour shifts)

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.

I think this question really depends on what/who is available to you in regards to childcare options.

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ottersloveoysters,

Hi! I would pick the 7AM-3PM, you will not only be able to possibly bring your children to school when you're commuting to work, but you'll be home when they get home, and you'll be home in a reasonable time, rather than getting home at 10-11PM. Good luck, but truly pick the times that you think best fit your schedule!

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Yeah, it's hard to tell her what exact schedule to pick without knowing who is available for children care.

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My husband can handle pick up and drop off for daycare but we typically share the responsiblity. Elementary school has before and after school care. My husband tells me he can be flexible. He works from home frequently.

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My husband can handle pick up and drop off for daycare but we typically share the responsiblity. Elementary school has before and after school care. My husband tells me he can be flexible. He works from home frequently.

In that case, it's really just a matter of personal preference. My ideal schedule would be three, eight hour, 11PM -7AM shifts.

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For me, if my hubby can handle picking up and dropping the kids, I will just do 7am-7pm for three days a week, and have the remaining 4 days. Kids don't usually go to bed till about 9pm. Beside you can wake up about 5:30am and start getting the kids ready for school and daycare on the days you have to go to work. So you get them ready, and have hubby drop them off and pick them up atleast making it a bit easier on your hubby. For food, I usually cook food that will last a week for my family and put it in freezer. I pray you pick the best schedule that works for you and your family.

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Specializes in ICU.
In that case, it's really just a matter of personal preference. My ideal schedule would be three, eight hour, 11PM -7AM shifts.

Totally agree. I thought most parents work at night who have a partner that is present.

Those without a life partner or husband in the mix, I would think 8-4 would work best.

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

I would choose 7-3. As someone who worked 7:30-4 for a couple of years, I can tell you that the extra hour in the afternoon with the kids makes a huge difference. There is a lot more time to run errands, get dinner ready, play outside (especially if you live on the east coast where it gets dark around 4pm in the winter months), help with homework, or make it to after school activities. My daughter is 4, and goes to be around 7:30-8pm each night. Once your kids start having soccer games or other events after school, you may not get the time off every day if you are working 3 late shifts per week and it's a hassle to constantly try to make switches in your schedule so you can be available for events. Even more difficult when both of them are involved in activities. And with a younger child, it would be more helpful to have both you and your husband available so that one can stay home with the younger child and the other can transport the older, or one can help with homework while the other prepares dinner. Are family meals important to you? You'll have many more of them if you're working 8 hour shifts.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I actually just made this switch myself! I've been working weekends only (every Saturday and Sunday, 12 hours) and I miss out on all of the fun stuff, and don't even see the baby, at all, the entire weekend. I start 7-3 M-F in about a week and a half, and I am beyond excited to finally have time with my husband AND my baby! I hated 12 hour shifts because she's asleep when I leave and when I come home. By getting off at 3, once she starts school especially, I'll be home right about the time she gets home. And I'll be home to make dinner (almost) every night! My husband will drop her off at daycare, & I'll pick her up. He already works M-F 8-5. I tried nights, and it didn't work for me. For us I think this will work very well, but you always have to do what is best for your family!

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School age. I would say 7-3. That being said, I did the hand off of the kids for years, with their Dad who also did shift work. It is what it is.

Good luck!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
My husband can handle pick up and drop off for daycare but we typically share the responsiblity. Elementary school has before and after school care. My husband tells me he can be flexible. He works from home frequently.

In that case, I think your husband should be the one advising you on which schedule to take. He'll be the one responsible for all child-duties while you're at work.

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