I have been thru all types of schedules, nites when the first one was little allowed me to be there after school, dinner, bedtime routine etc. The second one came and things got more complicated. My husband began to travel at a moment's notice ( not good with ever-changing schedule). I then began a "normal" job at the hospital based clinic. Sounded great, M-R 8:30 -4, reality, not seeing them in the am and getting home 6 or 6:30. The kids hated it since I wasn't there after school although 3 day weekends were nice. I lasted about a year. Went perdiem, ( # 3 came along) but eventually (dh is self-employed) needed a job with benies for health insur. Went to 2 12's (PM's). I thought it would be great, kids hated it, I left @ 6pm and came home after they left for school. Even though it was only 2x's/wk they felt they never saw me, plus stress of husband never around, still always changing schedule. Decided one of us needed a fixed (normal?) schedule. Went to baylor weekend for 2 yrs now. work every weekend, 10 hrs home hospice. Get the full benies, PTO, etc. Kids are happy. I get to sleep at night, am home m-f for the sick days, field trips, 1/2 days, school delays and early dismissals, vaca days/weeks, entire summer etc. If they need to get somewhere, it's easier to arrange rides on the weekend . I would prefer not to work every weekend, but right now the positives outway the negatives. When I had the 'normal schedule' it was very stressful, home, 2nd shift would begin until exhausted, rinse and repeat next day. Things work well for me now, with this schedule. What works for me, may not work for you, and what works now, may not work in a year or two. Sometimes you have to change/adjust as your life evolves.
