Desperately seeking balance...

[my2sons]

Is it possible to have a sane family life and work 12 hour shifts? I have 2 busy elementary schoolers and am finding it extremely difficult to balance everything here. When I work 12 hour days, I don't see them at all. (they get up at 7am and go to bed at 8pm) I have to miss the fun volunteer stuff during school and have a hard time finding reliable afterschool care, and miss homework time (my ds needs special help). When I work 12 hour nights, I don't sleep well. I sleep from 8am-2:30pm (when the bus gets home). Then I help with homework, take a shower, and head off to work the minute I hear my husband's car in the driveway. My sleep schedule is so messed up that I need to take benadryl to get to sleep on my nights off. I never feel quite right. Anyone else in the same boat? How do you cope?

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

I started working part-time 4 years ago after working full-time as a new RN for 2 years. I burned myself out and lost touch with my kids and hubby. It was awful. We somehow ended up preggers in our 40's :chuckle and that is when I decided that I wanted to slow things down. I work part-time, 4 days a pay period. I will NEVER work full time again.

I either had to miss my older boys football games (no way) or go to work with only an hour or so of sleep (I work 3 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

My second son started his rebellion about this time - when his parents were busy. I regret that so much.

I'm not about to sacrifice my family for my job ever again. I was where you are and I am not going back.

Is there any way you can work less??

Good luck.

steph