Days or Nights with kids?

[ChristineN]

So I have a question for those of you that work in the hospital setting doing 12 hr shifts with small children at home. Do you find it is easier to juggle kids while working days or nights? I am going to start trying to get pregnant this year, and if all goes as well have a child next year. I have the opportunity at work to work either straight days or straight nights, but am unsure which will be easier with a child. I need to decide soon, which I know seems early, but work doesn't offer this sort of opportunity very often. My partner works a typical 9-5 job if that matters.

[Katie71275]

I didn't read everything, but I have 4 kids, ages 11, 9. 7, 4.5. I work nights and sleep during the day when they are at school. Personally I would find it VERY difficult to sleep during the day with an infant waking up so much. And they only sleep all day for so long...After a bit, they are often awake for hours. That would be very little sleep you were working with. I've told my husband if we have any future children, we will have a nanny come to the house to watch the baby while I sleep. If I had the option, I'd either 1)do day shifts and be with baby at night...or 2)do night shift and have a relative come over to watch the baby those 2-3 days so you can sleep.(or a nanny, etc).

[Delicate Flower]

I am also the breadwinner for my family. I work 12 hour nights and have for the entire lives of my 2 chidren, now 4 and 2 years old. My husband stays at home with the kids.

I do nights to avoid rotating, and because of the extra shift diff.

I never have to worry about being able to sleep during the day, at least from a child care standpoint. Since my husband doesn't work, we only have one schedule to work around. Therefore, when I have days off, he is always there. No handing the kids off. We get to see each other a lot.

Money is tight on one income, but we make it work. Nice thing about 12 hour shifts is you can swing an extra shift or two pretty easily. I'd rather work 2 jobs and have my husband home, than have him get a job for the extra income. The added cost of daycare would wipe out his income VERY quickly.

The key for us is my husband is great at being Mr. Mom. He doesn't just watch the kids; he cooks, cleans, launders, etc. It definitely makes it a lot more bearable for me to work 48-60+ hours a week when I don't have to do much housework when I'm home.

The hardest part is having to leave my kids. They miss their mommy : (

But having to work is a fact of life, and you just make the best of whatever situation you are in.

[SummitRN, BSN, RN]

For kids find a 3a-3p position

[Caffeine_IV]

Before I was PRN, I did straight nights (3 12s, 7p-7a). It worked for me because 1) I like night shift better and have no problem daytime sleeping. 2) I utilized daycare/sitters so I could get my sleep.

I tried the staying awake, nap when baby naps thing and it is MISERABLE especially if you are nursing and pumping milk.

By working nights I can pick up my older child from school if necessary, attend school events without missing work (although I might be low on sleep). I don't generally have to call out from work if a child is sick because their father is the night caregiver while I'm working and I can be there during the day.

There is no one size fits all but I felt like I had more time with my kids working nights.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

We have a similar issue. Day care is only daytime. You cannot work a 12 hour night and be up with a baby until 1700 sleep one hour and go back in. I do days for that reason. A few extra bucks is not worth risking safety or health

So work nights, get the night differential and send the child to daycare during the day so you can sleep. Depending upon one's situation, one's hopes and plans for the future and one's partner's parenting and financial contributions, night shift may work best.