Anyone else here work outside the home?

[AnditheBee]

Hi all,
Just wondering how many other non-SAHM's are on this board. Sometimes I feel a bit lonely! It can be a challenge to AP and such when you have to work outside the home, IMO, and I'd love to compare notes with like-minded moms.

I had to go back to part-time work (about 3 hours a day) when Casey was 3 months, and though it went okay, there were a few challenges with pumping enough to keep her happy while I was gone. We made it through, though, and learned a lot along the way!

My job is such that I teach at a university, hired as-needed on a term-by-term basis. Winter quarter is a time when I'm rarely needed for teaching, so I'm actually *not* working at this particular time--I get to be a SAHM until the end of March, and this is also requiring some adjustment on my part (though I'm enjoying it so far!). Compared to when I worked before I had a baby, though, it's a lot tougher!! But the worst of all, IMO, is trying to work and parent. Yeck. I love my work, but I do wish I didn't have to do it while she's so young...

Anyone else?

[AnditheBee]

Anyone else here work outside the home?

Hi all,
Just wondering how many other non-SAHM's are on this board. Sometimes I feel a bit lonely! It can be a challenge to AP and such when you have to work outside the home, IMO, and I'd love to compare notes with like-minded moms.

I had to go back to part-time work (about 3 hours a day) when Casey was 3 months, and though it went okay, there were a few challenges with pumping enough to keep her happy while I was gone. We made it through, though, and learned a lot along the way!

My job is such that I teach at a university, hired as-needed on a term-by-term basis. Winter quarter is a time when I'm rarely needed for teaching, so I'm actually *not* working at this particular time--I get to be a SAHM until the end of March, and this is also requiring some adjustment on my part (though I'm enjoying it so far!). Compared to when I worked before I had a baby, though, it's a lot tougher!! But the worst of all, IMO, is trying to work and parent. Yeck. I love my work, but I do wish I didn't have to do it while she's so young...

Anyone else?

[Chelly2003]

YES.... but I'm still at home right now, I'll have to return to work in a few weeks - probably mid Feb.
From when my son was a baby the most challenging thing was pumping at work, I had to do it so often to keep up with him... I quit pumping whne he was 6 months old.

I think this is going to be a lot tougher, to get two kids out the door NOW is hard, when I have to be at work on time its going to be a lot worse...... I'm not looking forward to that part.

I wish I could just stay home - mind you - this being at home is pretty tough too - I've not even cleaned up the kitchen yet and its almost 2pm!! :LOL
(I did get one load of laundry done though)

[ma_Donna]

I've been back to work for a week. My son, Noah, is 3 months old. I'll be working full time through May, then off for the summer and back to work part time, mostly at home in the fall (by choice).

I do miss him, but it's not too bad. I drop him off at 9 with a friend down the street. Their family has 4 wonderful kids between 8 & 15 and they're a foster family w/ no foster kids right now. Noah has her undivided attention until 3 when Daddy picks him up.

I tried to get PT work at my job, but it didn't fly. DH has been part time for 2 years working on his Masters, he'll take this time to finish his thesis and then go back full time in May. I'm currently working for benefits and to pass my projects off to a new engineer. I just wasn't ready to drop this job when he was born.

Pumping has gone well so far, I'm keeping up with the Mother's Milk tea and was able to freeze a few extra ounces this weekend.

Take care

[Eman'smom]

DD is almost 4 months I went back to work when she was 12 weeks DH is getting his PHD, and hopefully he will be done soon.

I am a high school science teacher and really do enjoy my job, but it's hard to leave, dh takes care of her when I'm gone he works during naps and when I get home. Pumping is going well, I'm drinking abundant milk tea, I've never had supply issues and am a great pumper, but I don't want to take any chances.

I wish I could work part time that seems to me to be a good mix, some adult time and still plenty for the kids, right now I feel like I'm missing a lot.

[AnditheBee]

Originally posted by Chelly2003

I wish I could just stay home - mind you - this being at home is pretty tough too - I've not even cleaned up the kitchen yet and its almost 2pm!! :LOL
(I did get one load of laundry done though)

Are you kidding me? I don't even *try* to clean the kitchen until the evening when my husband gets home! And one load of laundry? All riiiiight! You GO, girl! Yes, full-time parenting is rough, but definitely rewarding, too!

As for the rest of you--I can't even imagine working full-time with my baby at home! I will probably be doing full-time work this summer, so I'll find out exactly what it's like, but I just shudder at the thought. At least she'll be over a year then, so she won't have quite the level of dependence on me that she has now (maybe...: ). I really admire you guys and have the greatest respect for what you're doing!

Full-time pumping might actually be easier than the part-time I was doing. I was only at work for 3 hours (sometimes a bit less), so my problem was that I didn't get full enough while there to pump more than a couple ounces--but of course she was drinking more than that while I was gone. We got through the first month or so with stashed milk from the first three months (when I was producing enough for twins, no kidding!), and after that I started pumping in the middle of the night (she was sleeping through the night then--boy, do I miss that! Don't miss the nightly pumping, though...). It's just a case of doing what we have to do...

[beccaroo]

I work 32 hours a week, and started back when dd was 7 weeks. I'm very lucky that my company let me cut back from 40 hours and that my dh is able to stay home with our now 11 mo old, but both of those things are making saving for a house (and hopefully someday paying a mortgage) a lot harder.

DH is a writer/editor, and originally had a deal with the magazine he used to work for that he'd keep some of his responsibilites for a flat $1000 a month. But he stopped that a few months ago because it was too hard to make all the phone calls during the day that were required to get the work done.

Before the baby, he thought that he'd be able to take care of the baby, keep up on laundry, keep the house clean, shop and make dinner, do his regular work, and do other freelance work. I told him he was crazy, but he said it would be easy to do when dd was sleeping. So now the regular work is dropped, the new freelance work hasn't got off the ground, the laundry and shopping are done after I get home from work, the house is only semi-clean when company is coming over and we eat takeout a lot! So we both have tons of respect ANY parents (SAH or otherwise) who manage to stay on top of things!

As for me, I'm still pumping twice a day at work, but I'm not sure how much longer I'll keep that up. DD is eating more and more solids, and actually refused any EBM last Thursday or Friday. I turned in my rental pump a few months ago and started just using hand pumps now that my at-work supply isn't as critical.

Are there any working moms with babies over a year that can tell me about their pumping situations?

[kofduke]

I'm a WOHM! Just so you know, there is a sub-forum in Parenting Issues for working mamas!

I work 4 days/week, from approx. 8:30-4:30. I came back when DS was 6 months old. I'm an attorney, so my job can either be really flexible (if there isn't much going on, or I'm doing research I can do from home) or really NOT (if there is a client who wanted something yesterday, or there is a deadline). But, overall, it's going pretty well. DS is doing great at his daycare center, except for some sleeping issues.

Our biggest challenge is definately getting out of the house in the morning! My DH is a teacher, so he leaves the house around 6:00, right when I get up, so it's all me.

I've been pumping for DS since I came back to work. I have had enough milk until about a week ago - first there came an issue where I had to miss a day of pumping because of serving as a child advocate, and then I had to go to a funeral on Saturday, and then I got dehydrated with a stomach virus. So, for the last week, DS has been getting one bottle of mama's milk and one bottle of whole milk while I'm gone instead of his usual 2 bottles of mama's milk. I think that over the next several weeks we'll be reducing the pumping, and using whole milk during the day and nursing at night.

Glad to see all you WOHM's here! We're not alone!

[birdwomyn]

starting work full time tomorrow....

Hi,

I start my practicum for my degree tomorrow, I will be working full time plus taking a class and writing my comprehensive exams.... yikes.

I am nervous.... DP and I feel good about the daycare situation, but still, it is freaking me out.

At least DS is 6 months instead of 6 weeks like my sister had to do.....

It's going to be fine. It's going to be fine. It's going to be fine.

Sam is a social creature, he loves being around other people... especially other children and that REALLY helps since I know he will really enjoy the stimuation of the other kids. The center is only 8 kids total and both of the workers are WONDERFUL.

Well, I need to go see if I have any of my work clothes that fit me anymore -- I haven't worn real (business) work clothes since May of 2001 when I quit working full time to go to school....

Huge changes ahead!!!

kathy

[Jish]

Moving this to the Working Mama's forum.

[jak]

I have an almost 6 month old and have to start work in two weeks and have some anxiety about it. The good thing is that I am a teacher so I get out in the early afternoon and avoid the commute rush to get home and be with dd. Bad thing is the work is very stressful and all-consuming and I don't know how I'm going to balance doing my job well and raising my girl.

[MamaSoleil]

There is a board here for Working Mamas.
I just returned to work, I have a 5 mth old.
I'm also pumping, dh is staying home. So far, so good.
I do miss my little guy, but I know he's good with his dad, and I am enjoying my time.
When I'm home, I cosleep, bf on demand, sling, we only use cloth. We know every one of his cues. I feel very attached.
I feel AP is very possible even if you woh.

Mamasoleil/samson

[H&Hmommy]

I've been back full-time since August after DS was born. I'm a therapist/program manager at a school/day treatment center for severely behavior disordered kids. I'm SO tired of pumping! And I barely keep up with him as far as how much I need to send to day care.

I should go to the working outside the home board more often to see what's up. Perhaps I shall.

[Bippity]

Me, Me, Me! I had to go back to work full-time when DD was just 12 weeks. I'm an Admin. Assistant for our City's Social Services Director. I had a hard time leaving DD at daycare, but we're adjusted to it now & it's easier. I do get over to the DCP at lunch hour every day to nurse, which does help a LOT! I feel so much more comfortable now that I know the people and spend some amount of time with them 5 days a week. I don't think I could do it if I wasn't able to be there with her & see them all in action & doing their normal routines every day.

I'll second the "I'm so sick of pumping" thought! I started having supply issues at about 5 months - we made it to 6 months 100% breastfed-which was my minimum goal. Now she's 50/50 formula & breastmilk and I have officially hung up the horns. Now we nurse when we're together & she gets a bottle of formula when we're apart. So I don't feel like a heel - this is as far as I'll go toward any kind of weaning. She'll get to wean herself the rest of the way when she's good & ready.

[EFmom]

I work full time out of the home. I'm also in a university environment. I'm an academic librarian. This past year, I had to go through the tenure process, and it was quite stressful with two small children. Nearly everyone who has made it here is childless.

I enjoy my work and don't feel particularly guilty about it. I've got excellent child care and my kids are thriving. I freely admit, I would make a lousy SAHM.

Prior to this job and the kids, I worked for a corporation. This position comes with much more vacation and sick time, and generally more flexibility, which has made working with kids much easier. My dh is a teacher, so he gets all the vacations and the summers off with the kids. I feel like we are lucky to have a pretty balanced situation.

I also have a hard time getting out of the house in the morning. I need to get the kids to their daycare provider's house by 7:15 so that dd can catch the school bus, and I generally feel pressured in the morning. On the bright side, dh picks the kids up, usually by about 3:30, so they have some time for fun stuff before dinner.

[Lucky Charm]

I am an emergency room nurse, student and volunteer at my sons school. I love what i do, and although the juggling can be hard, i wouldnt change a thing. I have three kids.....my little guy is 5, and my older 2 are 13 & 16.

You can work and AP. It can be done. I dont find it that difficult, although when my youngest was nursing it was a bit challenging. My kids are doing fine. I adore them and they adore me. we are a real team in our house!

[jeyer]

Another part-timer here! We take Belle to a wonderful center three days a week, but luckily I work close by, so I visit and nurse her on my lunch hour.

I can relate to the "sick of pumping" comments! I hardly ever pump at home anymore because of it. (I used to pump occasionally to boost my milk supply.)

I'm conflicted about working ... but ultimately I think it's what you make of the time you have together that counts the most.

[BabyOsMommy]

I'm a Full Time WOHM

I just went back 2 months ago when DS turned 1year, and I'm still experiencing growing pains at home and at work. Just when I think I have the routine down, and the job re-learned(I'm in Canada, so I was lucky enough to get the full year off and still return to my job (if you could call getting that job back lucky : )) a curve ball comes my way. I'm a Collections Manager. I either hate it or I love it, depending on what time of day it is, and what crappy situation I'm dealing with with my staff.

Dh is AMAZING at helping with everything, including housework and ds's care. He works full-time too. One of my saving grace's is that we can afford to have cleaners come in every other week to do the bathrooms, floors, dusting and kitchen counters, etc. I honestly would love to kiss those women when I come home to a clean house! I try to stay organized with meal planning and packing lunches etc. I'm also incredibly fortunate to have enough family to watch ds everyday (Mon-Fri 7-5). I still pay them, and it's worth the extra half hour added to my commute to know he's with people who love him as much as we do.

[doctorjen]

I WOH full-time. I'm a family physician and have office hours 32 hours a week, plus do hospital and nursing home care and deliver babies. My schedule can be pretty crazy, but I can take the baby with me a lot, and since I'm in charge of my schedule, I take off if I need to for my kids' special events.
I went back to work when the baby was 6 weeks old. I pump at work, too. My girl was exclusively breastfed/breastmilk fed until 6 mos when we started offering solids, but she didn't start to eat any until 7 mos. I really love our nursing relationship, but really don't like pumping. I'm doing fine with supply, though, and have a good freezer stash. I intend to pump at least a year, even though it's hard with my schedule.
Every so often I think maybe I'd be happier at home, and I think my current schedule is a little out of hand, so I'm planning to cut back starting this summer. It's not the baby so much, but my teenager who needs more supervision and my grade schoolers who just want me around more. I really love my job and struggle with letting it consume more and more of my time!

[heket]

I'm a Part-Time WOHM...

...but it feels like I'm full-time!

I'm a children's librarian, and there aren't very many options for part-time in my field (at least I haven't found that many in So. Cal). While I work 26.5 hours a week (4 days/ week), I commute by car or train depending on the day. So my 6 hour days wind up being about 8-8.5 sometimes.

BUT..., it gives me time outside the home, I get to readjust and prepare my mood before I get home, and I can even read or crochet soakers (obviously if I'm on the train )! I've discovered this makes it much easier when I get home to take dd off of dh's hands (he works full time, but has an early morning shift). We're blessed to have both a good friend and my mother available to babysit.

I pump at home and work. I've long been tired with it, but because dd and I had issues nursing I have no other choice. (Too long of a story to bring up here.) Unfortunately, it means we also supplement as well, because some days I just can't keep up with her.

[edited to add] Oh yeah! I returned to work exactly when dd was turned 3 months. I almost went back when she was two months, but then I got the offer on my current position.
Nissa