Night shift then caring for twins all day?

[Spode]

Does anyone work full time nights then have to come home to care for young children or even elderly? I have twin two year olds and I need to work because I have debt to pay off; however, having a sitter come in the am is taking most of my paycheck. I do not have anyone who can watch them for free like family. My husband works Mon through Sat, 0500-1830.

The only way I know how to work the hours I need to get bills paid is to stay up with the twins all day and ditch the sitter. How do you do it??

[DeLana_RN, BSN, RN]

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[DeLana_RN, BSN, RN]

A classmate of mine tried to do this, and fell asleep on the couch while the toddler was watching cartoons. Toodler decided to climb over the babygate on the stairs, fell and hit his head, died in her arms.

Obviously this sort of scenario is the worst case, and could have happened even if she had been awake; but she will never forgive herself. Marriage fell apart, and she quit nursing. I lost touch years ago, but still often think of her.

OP: Don't do it, the risk of the above scenario is too great; and this woman had a singleton! As a mother of twins myself, I know that twins are more than twice the work - and get into more than twice the trouble - than a singleton would; and since yours are two, I know that you know that as well

In addition, have you ever worked nights? I did for about 6 months right out of school; although I was 12 years younger and had no kids, I had trouble sleeping well during the day and would sometimes drive home in a fog (that's how it felt anyway). I cannot imagine having to go home to care for twins in this condition!

In our case (mine are now 5) dh works weekends only for the higher pay and my plan - when I finally find work again - will be to work on his days off. This is what I did when I worked since the twins were born and it was a good solution (as long as the work lasted... let's not get into the effects of the economy).

Remember, debt can be paid off (even if it takes a while), but your and your kids' safety cannot be compromised.

Good luck to you!

DeLana