How bout a 'taking babies/toddlers to work tribe?' - Page 5

[mamabeth]

Thanks y'all...very wise mama advice, and so much appreciated.

I do think it is partly just pregnancy freakout over adding a new family member and how will it all work. Before I got pregnant I was really feeling fine about how it all was working...dd is in a Montessori school we love so I get that time to work, and dh is full-time while I am p/t but he takes dd whenever I need him to.

Earthangel--thanks for your honesty! I am by myself in the office or with my assistant, but I have run into boundary trouble before (very long story!) and don't like to ask my parishioners to watch my kiddo unless I am paying them. I can totally see how two will be so much more than one (hence the freakout!). My dh is equally supportive but we work about 40 minutes apart, so it's really hard to switch the kid.

kia--thanks...I just noticed your location and I live in Alpharetta! Always looking for a good resale shop too. That really does sound ideal, but I know it's always hard.

kerc--dh does take dd on a pretty regular basis, and I usually have time to do what I need to do. We have a nursery for Sundays, but it's still kind of crazy to get ready for worship and drop off dd, and it was so much worse when she was a baby...I could hear her crying while I was in worship. Not looking forward to repeating that, but who knows, this kiddo could actually take a pacifier or something for one hour a week! And yes, I am feeling ambivalent about working, or at least doing what I'm doing. I'm at a point where I can't just "coast," which is where the church was when dd was born, so it was so much easier to bring her then.

And Geo, that is exactly what I need to do...separate out the issues. I guess right now is not a great time to do that, but I still feel the pressure of January being right around the corner. I've never felt horrible guilt about working or dd being in preschool...I guess I'm just feeling like concentrating on both working a high-maintenance job and two kids is going to be too much.

Or perhaps I should deliver the kid, and see if I feel better? :LOL Thanks again, it is helping so much to type all this out and hear your feedback.

[kerc]

unsolicited advice:
I think if you guys can afford it, you should hire a nanny for sunday morning. There's no worrying if the nursery person is late, if baby is crying during your sermon nanny can take both kiddos outside for a nice walk. And then baby gets to bond with one person. Is there a college nearby? You could find a college student from one of the christian organizations at the college whom you could pay well for 2 hrs on sunday. Which would give you time and the ability to adequately prepare yourself, nurse if need be while the nanny waits and then be prepared for worship. You could even pick up the nanny on your way to work. Heck the right high school student would work.

[alamama]

Hugs to you, mamabeth! No major career decisions during pregnancy seems like a wise policy!

I also second the idea of a Sunday morning helper (and perhaps some other time, too?) if you can possibly make it work. I don't know how I would manage Sunday mornings if dh weren't on hand. Even so, the other Sunday I was breaking bread at the communion table when I heard a wail come up from the nursery. So hard to just keep going! Luckily one wail was it, but still...double duty on Sundays is not easy.

Will you get much maternity leave? Once you meet your little one and have a little space from your church during your leave, the next steps for you may seem much clearer. Hang in there!

[mamabeth]

Hey y'all--

Well, today went really well at church so I felt stupid for being all vent-y, but I really needed to get that anxiety out somehow. We had our new nursery person meet my dd for the first time and keep her, and the nursery person was awesome and is bringing her two older kids (13 and 10) for extra hands. Miriam had a great time and I felt so much more relaxed...I took her in at, like, 20 til church started and then came and got her at 15 after or so and it was wonderful. So that's going to help a lot.

So I guess most of my anxiety is about my church, which as Geo pointed out is a separate issue but I do tend to blend the two. Anyway, it went well today and that's all I can ask for, right? Especially with dh out of town, just trying to hold it together for a few more days.

[nannymom]

mamabeth- I just wanted to say I am glad it went well. I tend to blend the stress as well. It is just a tough thing.

How would people feel about starting a new thread each month like a take your babies to work thread for September and so on...so that it stays current and easier to keep up with?

[mamabeth]

Originally Posted by nannymom

How would people feel about starting a new thread each month like a take your babies to work thread for September and so on...so that it stays current and easier to keep up with?

Fine with me...I had to dig this up so it would be nice to keep it current.

[Kia74]

It is a small world, Mambeth because my shop is in Alpharetta. There is a link to our webpage from my member name.

I'm so glad that things felt better today. I'm also happy that you retrieved this thread, I had lost track of it

[nannymom]

good I will go ahead and do it.

[whimsy]

Here's something you mama's will appreciate.......

I take all 4 of my kiddos to work with me. (actually we all work together) I have a large office, the kiddos have a large play area, literally acres outside to play in, plus they have the run of the shop etc. (DH and I own the business)

Anyway.......
yesterday my aunt said to me "don't you think it would be better for the baby to be in daycare"

I just stared at her, I couldn't even come up with any words

[nannymom]

Whimsy- I really envy your situation. Dh and i would love to own our own buisness so that we could both be with dd all day.

I have been on a weeks vacation to see my sister in Texas and I do not want to return to work. I went in last night for three hours and I start back with an irregular scehdule today. Tommarow I have to work from 9 untill at least 7:30. I have to continuosly put my foot down with my boss about her pressuring/manipulationg me into too many hours. I love being able to give them the fleixbility they crave but as dd gets older i just can not be there into the night.

Sometime I really love bringing dd to work and sometimes I long to be a SAHM so badly it hurts. I guess it's just vacation let down.

[Earth Angel]

Sometime I really love bringing dd to work and sometimes I long to be a SAHM so badly it hurts

me too nannymom....your not alone.....hugs mamma

[kerc]

Originally Posted by nannymom

Sometime I really love bringing dd to work and sometimes I long to be a SAHM so badly it hurts. I guess it's just vacation let down.

I don't currently bring dd to work -- not terribly practical for me. BUT I do have the same feelings. Vacation let down is awful -- who wants to go back to work after having a good vacation?

[veggiemomma]

Stopping by to join up!

I am so glad I found this thread. My fil, dh and bil own a medical supply business, and I am the full time secretary. I have taken my ds (now 17 mo) to work since he was 4 mo old and my dd (3 mo) also. It's hard to know whether or not to classify myself as a working mom or a sahm. I mean, even though we go to work, they are always with me and we play and do all the things we would do at home (except laundry and wash dishes). I'm glad to find a place where I actually fit in.

[Geofizz]

Originally Posted by kerc

who wants to go back to work after having a good vacation?

I do.

[kerc]

Originally Posted by Geofizz

I do.

: You see, that's why I'm not a R1 university material. I have too many other fun things I really like to do. Don't get me wrong, I love my work most times but I could probably walk away and be ok with it. Sure i'd miss it, but it no longer consumes me like it once did.

[athansor]

Hi all, and glad to see the thread going (and the new one as well!). I'm interested in hearing more about working with 2 or more kids, and ideas for older (more mobile!) babies.

As I posted over there, today I was supposed to take ds to spend some time in what was going to be morning daycare 2x per week. (I had signed up for a GIS course with my tuition waiver, but found out on Friday that the course had been cancelled...but we decided to go with a few mornings a week of daycare to give him a break from the 'boring' office and let him have the chance to play with other kids.

So, this morning I was going to go over there with him and hang out while he spent some time there. On the way there I got a call saying that the provider couldn't take him after all, she needed to watch her nephew and that would put her over the limit for children under 2! At least we found out before getting started.

On the bright side, I got two more good leads today, and it may end up being a blessing in disguise! The person I originally planned on using was 10 miles outside of town (We live 25 miles north of the town where we work, and she was 10 miles south, so it would have meant even more driving!). Today I'm going to go with Joe to see someone who is actually quite close to campus, and tomorrow we'll visit another one in town. I'm going to take him in the jogger, so maybe I can get in a few runs on the way to/from the daycare! He loves the jogger, so it might be a nice way for him to wind down before we head back to the office.

Whimsy, that sounds like a neat situation! What kind of work do you do?

[berkeleyp]

Can I join?

I didn't get a chance to read this whole thread but i'd love to talk about bringing baby to work. I always wanted to be a SAHM but my father offered me a position as his secretary/paralegal (he's a lawyer in private practice). We really need the money and he said I can bring dd. This is my second week and it's stressing me out. I have a pac n play set up and will be getting a sheepskin for it soon in the hopes that dd might take a decent nap out of the sling. I also bought one of those activity mats with the double arch to entertain her but she still fusses more than i'd like and much louder than i feel is appropriate. I like the idea of having her in the sling but its killing my back and neck to have her attached to me while i'm trying to type, answer the phone, and take notes all at once. I'm rambling. Mostly i'm just happy to have found this thread and the other and hope that you will welcome me.

[whimsy]

athansor -

we do living quarter conversions in horse trailers. after reading your siggie, I see that you might know what that is. It's kind of hard to explain.

[Geofizz]

berkeleyp ~ What happens if you place a nursing pillow on your lap while the baby is in the sling? I found with DD that it took the weight off my back but still gave her that "I'm in the sling" kinda nap. Maybe you could make it narrower (giving more space to type...) by using rolled up towels instead of a pillow.

[Earth Angel]

After only 2 weeks I remember being very stressed too....and this is a new job right?? I returned to my job I'd been doing forever (wayyyy too long) after both my boys were born.....Starting a new job and bringing baby to work....thats a lot....but what a nice opportunity your father has given you!!

I think you are doing all the right things (your baby is about 3 mo right??) As you continue and as she gets older it will get easier. I'd recommend a bouncy seat. It was the easiest transfer from my arms/ the sling into a napping spot cause I could still bounce the boys with my foot on the bouncy seat.....and if you can get one that vibrates, she might really dig it. My second slept for a while if the vibrator was working!! Actually, the bouncy seat was the only thing I had for Ds#1, Ds#2 was given a floor mat with the arch/toys by his auntie, and he liked that, but the bouncy seat was what always saved me cause they'd actually sleep in it.

Once they can sit up and play it is a bit easier cause they can begin to occupy themselves, at 3 mo they really occupy themselves by looking at and interacting with you, so it is difficult to try to not engage them . Is she picking up toys yet??? Maybe she will have a favorite toy to hold and mouth after bit??? That always helped too, and the favorite toy stayed at the office, so it was new and exciting each time and was a special thing to have while there at work.

OH, and can I ask...what does it mean to be born at the donut depot???? Sounds rather exciting :LOL

I didn't realize the new thread started...I'll have to head over there.

Just wanted to also say though, mamabeth....glad you are finding some peace