How bout a 'taking babies/toddlers to work tribe?' - Page 3

[kerc]

Originally Posted by alamama

Do any of you cloth diaper at work? How do you manage?

i don't currently bring my dd to work .... nor did I when she was little. She wasn't the kind of kid who would be successful and I work in a lab with some nasty chemicals that I'd worry about her being exposed to (and umm, you need special permission for minors to be in the lab). BUT...dd is cloth diapered at daycare and always has been. We have a bag of disposable diapers there for when she runs out. Keeps dcp happy.

Ideally I'd pack a bag for the week (large bag) with enough dipes and wipes for the week + five dirty bags. Every day I'd bring home the dirty bags and wash midweek so the odor from the diaper pail wouldn't be too bad. But our dcp prefers to not have to store all of dd's clean diapers. Not that it would be much more volume than storing a case of disposables like some parents bring. Whatever.

Less ideally...when I'm in charge (like right now when dh is out of town). I wash diapers, stuff our 3 dirty bags with enough diapers + wipes for one day. then in the morning as I am leaving I grab the bag, stuff it into the diaper bag. dcp takes off dd's diapers and stuffs them right into the (now empty) dirty bag and I collect at the end of the day.

In practice most of the time: dh is cramming diapers, wipes and a dirty sac into the diaper bag as he's running with child under one arm, coffee in the other hand, 10 minutes late out the door.

If I had my own office what I'd do is basically keep a laundry basket sized tote box with diapers in it. Change baby on top of said box on some sort of blanket or something and have enough dirty bags to bring home every day.

[athansor]

I was trying to reply last night, but the computer ate my post so I just gave up and went to bed

Currenlty, I don't use cloth at work, but I may give it a try after reading through Kerc's post. I've been held back from using cloth because, besides being a cloth diaper newbie, I'm not near a source of running water. So, right now, I use 7th gen. diapers in the office, and cloth on weekends or days when I do some work from home.

I'm probably going to have to rethink our changing arrangement as well, as right now I change ds on the floor. Problem is, he's so motivated to work on crawling, that he rolls over and starts to wiggle off, making diaper changes a real challenge...add that to the fact that he's started a few solid foods, and there are a few scary diaper moments!

[kerc]

i'll add:
for little babies (no solid food) we mostly did either cpfs in a wrap or a fitted diaper in a wrap. but for daycare we exclusively do fuzzibunz-style pocket diapers. DCP and dh both prefer them and I don't really care that much. Once erin began her wiggle-butt stage then we went to exclusive FB use because of the issues you describe.

our wipes solution is just water. when we're on a hike or away from water or something...is just a nalgene filled with water which we use to wet the wipe.

[USAmma]

In accordance with the Guidelines of this forum (see below) I am moving this thread to Working Mamas where it is more appropriate. The FYT area is for threads who don't fit anywhere else, or general chit-chat between groups of mamas who have something in common.

Though Finding Your Tribe was originally opened to help parents find each other based on their location we have welcomed tribe threads for parents of a like-minded path to meet and chit chat with one another. However, such threads should not take a focus of discussion for a topic that is hosted in an existing forum at MDC.

A natural course of chit chat discussion might carry you into discussing your daily lives and sharing events and struggles. But focused discussion of a parenting topic, a breastfeeding issue or problem, an activist or political issue, a religious concern or belief, just tpo name a few, should go to the appropriate forum for discussion with the larger MDC community. If you have any question in this regard feel free to check with the moderators before posting. Should you post or thread not be appropriate for FYT on this basis it may be moved to the appropriate forum.

[nannymom]

Could we keep this going as a sub group in working mothers? It's nice to get to know the mamas who are doing this same thing.

I was wondering how other people deal with it when they feel that their babies are interfering with their performance? I am having a lot of issues that make me crazy at work. I work 4 1/2 hours a day but my boss is always asking me to work more which is great for the money but bad for the sanity. I feel like I can't say no b/c I need to work and I'm afraid of getting fired (i have anxiety issues ). On top of that my boss has been putting a lot of pressure on me to find a booster seat that will fit in my car allowing me to fit all three children in their so I can take them places. However, I don't think it's possible and I don't particularly want to take three children out and about. In adittion to that my regular household duties are the same as when I worked ten hours a day and didn't have a baby and it is just way too hard.

Does anyone else feel this stressed?

[athansor]

I bet we can keep it going here...when I started the thread, I wasn't sure where it would best fit, and am not suprised it ended up here.

I can relate to the stress, I have had times where I don't think this is going to work much longer (ds has a bad couple of days every once in a while, related to teething, and I don't think I get anything done at all) but then things settle down and move along again. I only have one baby with me at work, though, I don't know how I'd manage with more than that!!

This weekend, I did a lot of catch up work, which helped me feel a lot better as far as productivity goes. I'm lucky in that I can do a lot of work from home, and I mostly come into work to meet with other people in the group, and to save on gas for multiple trips back and forth.

[mamabeth]

Yes, it is very stressful sometimes. DD comes with me on Sundays, and this particular Sunday my nursery caregiver was late so there were moms with kids everywhere, and I had to go into worship, and dd was being so clingy and even cried a little bit, which she never does. And all the moms were looking at me to see how I was going to handle it...crazy. dd settled down eventually but it was hard to go into worship knowing she was upset. don't know what we're going to do about that.

But when it comes down to it I'm glad I can take her, ya know?

[faythe]

Hi, joining in. I have been telecommuting for over 6 years. My company's office is 1200 miles away, so when I do visit, I don't take the girls. It's not something I really planned, and we go pretty much one week at a time. When I was pregnant with the twins I never thought that I would be able to manage working with them (all the horror stories that other moms felt the need to share didn't help!). But once they arrived dh and I had a huge money crunch and I had to go back to work when they were 9 weeks old. We managed, much better than I expected.

Originally Posted by athansor

...I probably get in about 5-6 hours of actual work during an 8 hour day...

Same here, and I used to have horrible guilt about this. I have gotten over it . Mostly because management started publishing workload stats a couple of years ago, so I know exactly where I stand and how much work I'm doing compared to my co-workers. Instead of chatting about last night's TV show while the next pot of coffee brews I'm building a tower or reading a story.

Originally Posted by angelbee

...feel very isolated from moms IRL because they don't think I fit into there groups (mostlt SAHM and WOHM)...

I feel like this a lot, too. Everyone thinks that working from home is the best of both worlds. Eh, not really. I still have all the limitations of working from an office, it's just that my office is in my house, so I don't see anyone other than my girls.

My tip - get a cordless headset for your phone and use the mute button. I don't know what I did before I got mine, but it's really freed me. I can (and have) gotten packages from the UPS man, changed diapers, made lunches and snacks all while on conference calls.

[Earth Angel]

Hi everyone!! Been busy but have been trying to keep up with this thread when i can!

Do any of you cloth diaper at work? How do you manage?

Only cloth diapered both of my boys...The first for 18 mo (he learned to use the potty early) and Ds#2 is only 14 mo so he is still going strong. It really has never bothered me, even when I was in the office for 6 hrs a day with Ds#1. I just throw enough dipers and covers in for the day, a stuff sack and go. I dump it at the end of the day in our big pail (and actually have forgotten once or twice....and phewwwwww....but the stuff sack was nice and closed and it was only 1 diaper but boy did it stink when I opened the stuff sack :LOL ). I never did anything but throw the poopy diaper, rolled up into the stuff sack. I didn't wash at work. I ussally throw the wipes in with the diaper and throw them in the trash at home (if I bring disposable wipes, If I use clothe wipes same thing)...I don't want anyone else to have to deal with them or possibly smell them. I usually wash at least one cover a day too by hand. I always figure that in the big picture it is so much easier for me to deal with packing the diapers etc than it is for mother nature to deal with sposies that it just has never been an issue for me..... just one more thing to do to get ready for work.

Everyone thinks that working from home is the best of both worlds. Eh, not really.

I know what you mean. And I also feel really guilty about feeling stressed or overburdened because in actuality I am so lucky to be able to raise my kids and contribute to our income (because I HAVE to)....but trying to work and mother at the exact same time sometimes can be really stressful and frustrating.....hats off to you for doing it with twins faythe : I sure is nice to come here and be able to share with moms that know where I"m coming from instead of with friends who are always having childcare difficulties....they look at me like I'm crazy to have any problems with work.

...I probably get in about 5-6 hours of actual work during an 8 hour day...

I don't worry about it either cause, as faythe said, we most likely aren't chit chatting around the office when we are there. And for me, when I work at home I get so much more done in 5-6 hrs than I EVER would at the office...no interruptions like the phone or office friends wanting to share their newest story. Usually when I do most of my at home work DH is home. I just can't do it any other way. I need to get into that zone and if Dh is home with the kiddos I can.

The most dificult thing for me lately is that i have been having to go to some meetings in Santa Fe (about 1 1/2 hrs away) due to some upcoming changes within the state.....We don't ususally use child care so don't have anyone that the boys really KNOW (at least Ds#2) and would be comfortable staying with. I have to go so Dh has been coming along cause Ds#2 can't be away from me yet for that long (about 6-7 hrs). Its been hard on him but luckily he has a flexible schedule...but he doesn't have sick or vacation time.

Here's a question..... For those of you that are the only one that has this benefit in your office (IE the only staff bringing their kids to work and/or working at home) do you find others are jealous of you? Do you find yourself wanting to bend over backwards for your boss to make up for the percieved bonus you are receiving? I'm always worried that others are feeling that I get it "all". I work with a lot of great people but there are times that I feel like I shouldn't have or am not worthy of the benefit of bringing my kids with me and being in the office so little. I try to rationalize that no one knows my situation unless they are walking in my shoes...they don't see me holed up in my house most Sundays working like a mad woman etc.....but I still don't want to rock the boat. Dh really wants me to ask for a raise (which I totally deserve and haven't gotten in several yrs due to the agency being on a "wage freeze") but I am so nervous cause I don't want anyone to say "Well you get to bring your kids with you and you also get to work from home that should be enough" And yes, while that is priceless....I still work to have the money ya know????


Sure is nice having all you mamas here
Blessings

[firstwomantomars]

Hello Faythe!

[kerc]

mamabeth...is there another mom in the congregation that you can use as a back up person? thinking if nursery person is late maybe your daughter can get used to that one person as a back up???

[athansor]

Originally Posted by Earth Angel

Hi everyone!! Been busy but have been trying to keep up with this thread when i can!


The most dificult thing for me lately is that i have been having to go to some meetings in Santa Fe (about 1 1/2 hrs away) due to some upcoming changes within the state.....We don't ususally use child care so don't have anyone that the boys really KNOW (at least Ds#2) and would be comfortable staying with. I have to go so Dh has been coming along cause Ds#2 can't be away from me yet for that long (about 6-7 hrs). Its been hard on him but luckily he has a flexible schedule...but he doesn't have sick or vacation time.

Here's a question..... For those of you that are the only one that has this benefit in your office (IE the only staff bringing their kids to work and/or working at home) do you find others are jealous of you? Do you find yourself wanting to bend over backwards for your boss to make up for the percieved bonus you are receiving? I'm always worried that others are feeling that I get it "all". I work with a lot of great people but there are times that I feel like I shouldn't have or am not worthy of the benefit of bringing my kids with me and being in the office so little. I try to rationalize that no one knows my situation unless they are walking in my shoes...they don't see me holed up in my house most Sundays working like a mad woman etc.....but I still don't want to rock the boat. Dh really wants me to ask for a raise (which I totally deserve and haven't gotten in several yrs due to the agency being on a "wage freeze") but I am so nervous cause I don't want anyone to say "Well you get to bring your kids with you and you also get to work from home that should be enough" And yes, while that is priceless....I still work to have the money ya know????


Sure is nice having all you mamas here
Blessings

Wow, you're an hour and a half away from Santa Fe?? So am I, so we could be neighbors!!(or I guess we could be 3 hours apart!) I spent a lot of the summer in meetings in Santa Fe, but finished that project, so I don't need to go there much anymore. It would be really cool to have another MDC mom nearby, especially one in a similar situation!!

I feel a lot of the same things, about having to work so much harder (and I also put in full days at home most weekends). My Dh has also hinted that I should ask for more money...he suggests I apply for other jobs, and then see if my current boss will match what they offer, and I think he's got to be kidding, no way am I rocking the boat with ds so young!

Good news, though, ds is starting to enjoy a bit of sitting and playing by himself! He's just gotten to the point where he can sit without toppling over after a while, and he has a new favorite pastime, playing with anything crinkly! I've gotten him a couple of crinkly books, which he really likes. So now, I get a bit more time to work, when he's playing with his books.

Faythe, that's a good idea, I think I'm going to get something like that for the office. I've got to make a lot of calls over the next few weeks, so it would be nice to be able to do that anytime, not just when ds is asleep!

[Earth Angel]

Hey anthansor.......I live near Taos....where are you?

[athansor]

Sadly, about 3 hours away...I live near Socorro

[Earth Angel]

AWWWWW bummer....Still, its nice to have a fellow NM mom here

[mamabeth]

Hi new mamas! this is getting me pumped up for December when I will be hardcore bringing baby to work again.

Originally Posted by kerc

mamabeth...is there another mom in the congregation that you can use as a back up person? thinking if nursery person is late maybe your daughter can get used to that one person as a back up???

Oh, don't get me started...I had a chat with the nursery person and she was late bc she couldn't find it. We were in our new spot and she had never been there before. Anyway, she is usually pretty reliable and there are plenty of moms to help. In fact one of them did stay til she got there, and we are small enough so that Miriam is familiar with all of them. None of them mind...it just stressed me out because nursery is really important anyway plus one of them is my kid. Hope that makes sense, with pg brain who knows these days.

One of the things I'm stressed about too is the constant going back and forth between home and work, kid and work. I use the cell phone at home and if M is talking (always!) for some reason it will erase messages if I'm listening to them----argh!!!! I always think I have pretty good boundaries until I'm yelling at M to be quiet so I can hear the message or talk. Can't imagine what it's going to be like with two.

[cyncyn]

Originally Posted by alamama

Do any of you cloth diaper at work? How do you manage? It's only been a week and I'm already tiring of packing, unpacking, re-packing the diaper bag everyday! Plus cds are so bulky...I'm thinking of getting some more diapers so I can keep a stash at work! Would love to hear your ideas...

Gigi has always used cloth, at work and at daycare. The best thing for us was having enough diapers to have a separate stash for those days. Even if I had to use my not-so-favorite diapers at home, I made sure to have cute, clean AIOs and pockets for work and daycare. I make my own, so was able to keep that up at a low cost. Also, I found I needed very absorbent diapers since changing might be delayed due to circumstances.

I was lucky that my employer put a changing table in the bathroom at work. It was one her sister had used, with shelves below. Nicer than the one I had at home! I kept my diapers, extra clothes and supplies there. Also kept the wet/dirty bag in there as well.

DD has had three daycare providers and all three have been fine with me leaving the week's stash (just 2 days) there. Currently I bring the diapers/trainers and leave them there in a small plastic shoe box in the dcp changing area. I also brought a small plastic diaper pail with the flip lid and two pail liners. I fold one in the bottom of the pail, then put the other on as usual. The day's dirties are brought home in the liner and the next days clean liner is put on.

When dd was coming with me to work, the first work day of the week I would be so loaded down! All the diapers, extra clothes, breast pump, lunches for me and food for dd, drinking water, etc. But the next day would just be dd and me, plus purse. I liked to just haul in everything at once for the whole week. And I loaded my car the night before, weather permitting.

[Geofizz]

Originally Posted by cyncyn

When dd was coming with me to work, the first work day of the week I would be so loaded down! All the diapers, extra clothes, breast pump, lunches for me and food for dd, drinking water, etc.

Dumb question, but why do you need a pump if your dd is coming with you?

Part of my thinking in bringing this baby to work is that it will be an almost direct tradeoff in time when it comes to taking care of the baby and pumping. I was pumping for a total of 90+ minutes daily, time I couldn't work much at all.

[cyncyn]

Our schedule was very variable so some days dd would be with me at work in the a.m. and then at daycare in the afternoon. So I would pump on those days that I missed a feeding. Also, one whole day per week she spends with my mom so I pumped on those days too.

From about 6 months on, she spent 10 hours per week in daycare and the rest with me at work or with my mom. At 18 months we went to 2 full days of daycare and one with grandma and no more regular days with mama at work.

[faythe]

Originally Posted by Earth Angel

...Here's a question..... For those of you that are the only one that has this benefit in your office (IE the only staff bringing their kids to work and/or working at home) do you find others are jealous of you? Do you find yourself wanting to bend over backwards for your boss to make up for the percieved bonus you are receiving? I'm always worried that others are feeling that I get it "all". I work with a lot of great people but there are times that I feel like I shouldn't have or am not worthy of the benefit of bringing my kids with me and being in the office so little. I try to rationalize that no one knows my situation unless they are walking in my shoes...they don't see me holed up in my house most Sundays working like a mad woman etc.....but I still don't want to rock the boat. Dh really wants me to ask for a raise (which I totally deserve and haven't gotten in several yrs due to the agency being on a "wage freeze") but I am so nervous cause I don't want anyone to say "Well you get to bring your kids with you and you also get to work from home that should be enough" And yes, while that is priceless....I still work to have the money ya know????
...

I feel like this from time to time. I was not the first person in my company to start telecommuting, but I was the first in my group. Once I started a few other people started to work from home as well. Most of them decided that it wasn't for them and went back to working in the office full time. I think the thing that really eased the way was that I did not have any kids when I started working from home. The twins didn't come along until nearly 2 years into it, after everyone was satisfied that the arrangement was working.

Lately we have a small group that probably works from home about 10-25% of the time, including my team leader. So the issue of what it's really like to work from home is kind of settled with my co-workers. Of course, there are a few who goof off all day long and assume that I am, too, but that's their problem, the weekly status reports show how much work I'm doing and they're not doing.

I still feel like I can't ask for more money, since people still do see working at home as a benefit, even if it's something they don't like to do. I also feel like they have me by the short curlies - if I lose this job, I'm pretty much out of work for a few years. The odds that I could find a job that would pay enough for childcare for 4, compensate me for the early morning stress and leave me with enough left over to make it worthwhile are pretty low.