Night shift, with kids?

[Simply Complicated]

Just looking to hear from anyone who works nights, who has kids at home. How bad is it? How does your schedule work when you have to work? Like what time do you sleep, do you feel like you don't see your kids those days at all?

I currently work 3-11, but my job is switching to 12 hour shifts. I'm going to end up on nights. Even if I could get days, it would be about a $4.00 hour pay cut, which we can't afford. I have one child now, and am 6 months pregnant. I'm only 2 days week, so I'm hoping I can just make this work. It won't be forever, as we will be moving so I'll only do it like 6 months or so.

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

I am jealous of those who have family to help out with child care. We are out of state from our extended family unfortunately.

[Simply Complicated]

our sitter is in the opposite direction for me, so if I send them, they will go first thing with my husband in the morning (sitter is in the town where he works).

My biggest concern is breastfeeding too. Like you, I am going to play with 2 back to back and then two more spread out in the week. I do have to work every other weekend, so for breastfeeding, that will be be fine bc the baby will be here with my husband during the day and he can bring the baby to me when ready to nurse. I think though that my husband and I are going to play with the idea of him going to work an hour later the week nights that I work so that I can nurse the baby when I get home. Then I'll pump midday and nurse again when they get home.

Sounds like our situation is very similar! I only have to do 3 weekend shifts a month though. Good luck to you!!

[Simply Complicated]

I am jealous of those who have family to help out with child care. We are out of state from our extended family unfortunately.

We are as well. I don't have any family help. My babysitter is a family friend, who is a stay at home mom of 4, but 3 of hers go to school during the day. So she is very flexible for me.