[kaylakay]

Hey guys! So I'm having kinda a rough time... DH and I are having trouble financially. We still have tons of medicals bills from Ava's birth, her getting hospitalized again after etc. Plus a million other things. So I have to work more at work. I now work 24 hours a week but my manager is training me in another position in the department so I can help out over there for extra hours. I'll probably average 32-40
a week now.

32 hours a week?!?! I hated even 24 now I have to add an extra day away from my baby?
I'm so upset and almost in tears just writing this. But DH and I need it... at least until all medical bills are paid.

My question is: How do you guys do it? Working full time, baby, housework etc. Ava is growing so fast I'm sad I have to miss it.

[bcogoli]

I only worked for my first babys 6 months. He got really sick and i had to quit. The things i did find helpfull were making a schedule for housework so it does not get overwhelming and setting aside family time. Even if its just dinner with the whole family once a week, it really helps. Also remember that Ava is so little still so its actualy better to work now than wait and do it when she is older. She wont remember this time and it will help out your family financialy. I think your so brave for doing this, Ava will be ok and you will figure out a good routine.

[missy123]

I work full time and my husband is out of town a lot so I just learned to let things go. Also, take lots of videos of Ava... you will look back and feel the happiness of her growing up! I know it is hard to work and be a mommy!

[momof6lopez]

I have worked full time by the time all my baby's were 6wks old. It is hard the first week for sure, but eventually you fall in to your OWN routine and it gets easier. You have had a good transition by working part time already, you most likely wont even feel the change. You are a great mama and wife to do this, and Ava will grow up stronger knowing her mother did what was needed to provide her a good life. Hang in there, it does get easier.

[lelila]

While I only have 1 child right now, I have always worked full time + overtime since he was 12 weeks. In fact, I'm going to be working today until 8 PM. I am possibly one of the luckiest moms in the world in that I work from home. There are always little scheduling conflicts because of the bus schedule, sports and docs/sick time but my office works it out with me because I accommodate them as much as possible. In today's economy, two incomes are needed so we both do what we need to do so the bills are paid.

On top of both of us working full time, we also have a small organic farm and we live off our land as much as possible. Since our son was able to walk he has helped us with the chores and therefore is able to spend time with us, rather than planted in front of an xbox.

This year we are expanding our garden so we can make our own baby food. Juggling all these responsibilities isn't easy and alot falls to me after my "day" job is done. We plan all year round how to manage food and resources, heat the house, use our property to the fullest and maintain a healthy family dynamic.

It's not easy, but the work is worth it.

[lindsey2000k]

I work from home and DH works 10-12 hour shifts sometimes 7 days a week. I am struggling to keep up with my job. But I have learned what I can let go and not. I have started asking for help. MY problem is opposite from yours though... I need to get away to work and cant.

[humnck]

It can be hard, but you do have to learn to let certain things go a bit longer than normal. My house, right now, is a total disaster from the holidays and us being away. It is driving me insane, but I am taking it one room at a time to try and get some order back. This is a tip that I have gotten from other working moms, do one room at a time, then you aren't having to do it all at once and you have more time each night with Ava. I am trying to work that out, still haven't gotten used to it and my oldest is almost 4

You will miss her, but that is normal, you will get through it and just try to tell yourself that it is just temporary. I have worked FT (40+ hours) since my oldest was 7 weeks and then with #2 I was lucky enough to get 12 weeks with her before having to return.

[martilynne]

I'm sorry you're having to work more. Hopefully you can get your hospital bills paid off quickly and be able to cut back on your hours.