How do you work full time with kids?

[Ihoplover]

Well all working moms have this challenge and many of us are dealing with it the same way - rotating child care, errand running, bill paying and household duties with our spouses AND I'm fortunate enough to have a very responsible and trustworthy older daughter - 17 going on 18 that cared for my younger children this summer as well. This was her part time job and I paid her well and this enabled her not to have to work outside the home.

My suggestion for anyone not as blessed as I or others doing the same above is to hook up with either another single parent at work and rotate child care and hours - if you're lucky enough to find a competent and willing person OR find a TRUSTWORTHY person from a local church to be hired to come in your home and care for your children and misc duties. It's just too hard to cart your children to daycare back and forth at all hours etc. There are so so many people out of work that if you can find a younger mom who wants to bring her WELL BEHAVED child to your home and then care for yours also it's a win win for her and you - these are HARD decisions.

Final suggestion - perhaps the toughest of all - peace of mind re: your children is NUMBER ONE so if you can find another job that works better for your situation with your children then JUMP ON IT! even if the pay is a bit less (then you're not paying child care).

Good luck to you!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

Not sure if this is the place for the post but I thought I would start here. I have worked part time now for quite awhile. I am ready to get more into my career as a nurse and work full time. BUT,,,,, Nursing is great because it is flexible but nursing is horrible because of the strange shifts. I have young kids that still need watching over and taxi-ing around. How does everyone do it? Day care is only open from 0630-1800. Most nursing shifts are 12's therefore no daycare. If they are 8's no 3-11 nor 11-7. Most of the time a 0700 is too early for day care, as you have to be there around 0645 and still allow for travel time. Also nurses usually work weekends but of course - day care does not. So, I ask - What is everyone's secret?

Thanks in advance,

Pam

I have worked full time since my children were about 2 years old (twins). There was onsite childcare at the hospital where I worked from 0600 until midnight-then it went to 0600-2000(I worked evenings and then days). They had a school-aged program that they stopped a couple years ago but didn't bus to or from our school system anyway.

I now am an educator in a clinic setting. work 8 hour days, no weekends, no holidays. My husband works a lot of holidays and travels for his job. We have before and after school care if needed at their school. Childcare is MUCH cheaper now!

I remember one holiday where I worked and my husband worked and our kids stayed with friends for the day that was the LAST time that happened (Thanksgiving(

[NursePamela]

I have worked full time since my children were about 2 years old (twins). There was onsite childcare at the hospital where I worked from 0600 until midnight-then it went to 0600-2000(I worked evenings and then days). They had a school-aged program that they stopped a couple years ago but didn't bus to or from our school system anyway.

I now am an educator in a clinic setting. work 8 hour days, no weekends, no holidays. My husband works a lot of holidays and travels for his job. We have before and after school care if needed at their school. Childcare is MUCH cheaper now!

I remember one holiday where I worked and my husband worked and our kids stayed with friends for the day that was the LAST time that happened (Thanksgiving(

So your secret is to find that rare nursing job that is Mon-Fri normal day time hours; one that coincides with day care. I like that idea but those jobs are rare and hard to find. But at least it is light!

[seemerun]

Well, if you are ready to get more into your career then I think, unfortunately, paying a higher price for child care is part of the deal. How many kids do you have? I would probably look to find someone to watch them in my home, so that your schedules can be better accomodated.

I personally work in home health right now. It has nothing to do with my future career goals, but as they say, "Your kids are only young once". By working in home health I spend less time away from home because I can do my charting at home - after the kids go to bed. I also work as the night triage nurse, which means I take call 5 nights/wk and make occasional PRN visits. This position off-sets how much time I spend "out in the field" - I am only "in the field" about 30-35 hours every 2 weeks but am still considered a full time employee.

Also, working opposite shifts. It may not be ideal for the relationship, but it is good for childcare.

If none of the options people are mentioning work for you, or are possible in your situation, then it may mean part time is the way to go for a few more years.

Good luck!

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

So your secret is to find that rare nursing job that is Mon-Fri normal day time hours; one that coincides with day care. I like that idea but those jobs are rare and hard to find. But at least it is light!

I worked 12 hour day shifts and had day care available at my hospital from 0600-2000 7 days per week except holidays. Like I said they originally had daycare until midnight but it was underutilized. My 2 were often the only kids there until midnight when I worked 8 hour evenings.

12 hour shifts were actually easier when the kids were small-can't imagine this now that my kids will be in first grade-kind of a logistical nightmare with a husband that can be gone anywhere from 5 days to 2 weeks at a time.

I was fortunate to be offered 3 different M-F nursing jobs when we moved-I took a slight pay cut but it was worth it. They may be hard to find-just need to keep your eyes open.

otessa

[jessi1106, BSN, RN]

Well I work 3p-1130p. I only do 24 per week. But we have childcare from 2p-6p (when dh gets home). Works well for our family..