12 hour shifts and young kids

solneeshka, BSN, RN · May 11, 2013

A lot depends on whether or not you have another adult living in the household. Are you married? If so, does your husband pick up the slack? If so, then your kids will be like a bazillion other kids all across America who don't have full time stay-at-home mothers (that is, just fine). If you are the only adult in the household and have to make other child care arrangements (my situation), it can be tricky. My son has survived, but we've been at the mercy of the willingness of various family members to help out. It would be one thing for my son to be at home without me but with his father until 8:00 pm when I get home; it's another thing for him to be at my aunt's house until 8:00 pm, then I need to get him home and that's when we're just starting our evening routine. Not the end of the world, we've been okay. This may be a short-term situation for you, you never know when something part-time might open up, and if you already have your foot in the door, you'll be better positioned to move into a part-time role. You both will survive!

Simply Complicated · May 11, 2013

A lot depends on whether or not you have another adult living in the household. Are you married? If so, does your husband pick up the slack? If so, then your kids will be like a bazillion other kids all across America who don't have full time stay-at-home mothers (that is, just fine). If you are the only adult in the household and have to make other child care arrangements (my situation), it can be tricky. My son has survived, but we've been at the mercy of the willingness of various family members to help out. It would be one thing for my son to be at home without me but with his father until 8:00 pm when I get home; it's another thing for him to be at my aunt's house until 8:00 pm, then I need to get him home and that's when we're just starting our evening routine. Not the end of the world, we've been okay. This may be a short-term situation for you, you never know when something part-time might open up, and if you already have your foot in the door, you'll be better positioned to move into a part-time role. You both will survive!

I am married, but he works as well. He's off Monday and Tuesdays, possibly Wednesdays. The other days, we don't know yet if he will be days or evenings. He's a kitchen manager for a seasonal restaurant. I'm working on a sitter who will come to our house to baby sit. That is what I'm hoping, is maybe eventually something part time and closer will open. I work psychiatry, so if it's just too hard, I can always go back to a medical job. I can't stay full time more than a year really, because I will be starting grad school, and have no desire to do that and work full time, haha.

amygarside · May 14, 2013

i think baby sitters would work..just make sure you know their background

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · May 14, 2013

When I worked that kind of shift with four little ones, it was 12 hour day shifts on weekends F,S,S. My husband was off during those days so it worked very well. We attempted the sitter thing but it was horrible. Talk to your boss, maybe they can work out you working during the days he has off.

OCRN3 · May 14, 2013

A lot of parent do night shift, or weekend only. It works well I think.

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Simply Complicated · May 16, 2013

I can't function on night shift. I just came off them, and will not do it again. It was horrible. We found someone we are going to try out for now. See how it goes.