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Working moms...especially of 2+ kids
How do you get ready to leave the house on time in the mornings??? On the days I take both kids to daycare because DH goes in early, it takes us almost 2 hours from the time we get up until we walk out the door. Basically we wake up, I nurse Cameron, get breakfast ready for the kids, I shower, get the kids dressed, get myself ready and dressed, then load everything into the car and drop them off at 2 daycares. But while doing all of this, Maya wants a TV show on or is asking to play with something specific, Cam is all over the place getting into everything and I'm spending more time redirecting him than I am getting everyone ready! It's so chaotic. He used to love the exercauser, but now hates it since he became mobile. He will tolerate it long enough for me to shower and that's it. Part of the problem is that it takes me 45min-1hour to get myself ready depending on if I dry and straighten my hair. Maya's hair is high maintenance if it's going to look good, but thank God she's more open to pony tails these days. I don't really like showering before bed. I have tried getting up way before the kids, but then that just leads to them hearing me and waking up early themselves, so we're back to square one. On top of that, Cam's sleep is crap right now and I'm so exhausted the thought of waking up earlier makes me want to cry. I'm so lucky that I have the flexibility in my job that I make my own schedule and can get here when I get here, but there are days I have meetings or court and it's so stressful getting ready and getting there on time.
Sorry this post is so all over the place, but it's how I feel in the mornings. So, please tell me... How do you do it?!?
Re: Working moms...especially of 2+ kids
I'm not a working mom but I'm CONSTANTLY late and I hate it. Literally it's how you've described your morning. I wait until DH is gone to work and then try to shower. Beyond that, everything can go smoothly or haywire with the usual being haywire. One doesn't want their shoes on. The other is refusing sunscreen while the other smears it on the wall... There's always something unexpected that comes up that I'll have to do before we leave. In the winter, it never failed. I'd get them bundled up and Ana would poop. I honestly don't have an answer for you but I can sympathize.
The only things that have helped (just marginally) are having clothes already picked out and the TV off no matter how much K screams about it. She focuses better when there's no distraction. I've also made K a chart detailing things that she needs to do in pictures. I ask her to check her chart to see what she needs to do next. (get dressed, select a snack for the car, shoes, etc.) She does like checking things off.
I bow down to working mothers, because I'd be fired for tardiness every single day no matter how early I start.
I'm so glad you posted, because my mornings are exactly the same. 2 hours is a good day for us - usually it's closer to 2.5. I used to have lots of flexibility in my start time, but recently got a new boss and he's not cool with me (and others on my team) rolling in at any old time. So... crap! I need to be out the door by 7:45 now.
Every morning is basically survival mode. I have no idea what I'll be up against in terms of moods, cooperation, number of diapers, whether or not the banana will end up in AJ's hair and he'll need a quick bath, etc.
It has gotten easier since AJ's been walking and he just follows Cohen around. So there's a bright spot for you, at least!
I agree with Mrs.Reem. I try to do as much as I can in the evenings (clean the cat litter, pick out clothes, etc.). Cohen's the more challenging one of the two, so I talk about the next day and tell him what I expect of him. And I look for little incentives... Monday is movie day at daycare, Tuesday the garbage truck comes, Friday is show and share. These things work well to get him going.
The bottom line is I need to get the boys to bed earlier. They're definitely more cooperative when they go to bed early. It's just so hard starting the bedtime routine at 7:30 when I've been away from them all day, it's still light outside and we're in the middle of awesome family time.
I feel your frustration!! I work 2-3 days/wk, and the craziest part of my day is the morning scramble, and like you, most days I'm solo with 2 kids. I swear the kids pick up on our stress and rush-rush and respond with more needs.
Most days I'm able to get up and myself ready without them waking, but it sounds like that doesn't work so well for you. I set out all of our clothes, breakfast options, make cold lunch, and put things in the car (daycare backpack, etc) so it's ready to go the night before. My oldest is (well, sometimes) self-sufficient in making toast and getting dressed, but I've learned how to do most of my hair/make-up with a 2-year old on my hip
Needless to say I'm becoming more and more low maintenance! I find ways to cut corners, like my 2-year old fights getting dressed, especially when tired, so I put on his shirt the night before. If it's a non-messy breakfast, I'll have them eat in the car. Do the daycares provide breakfast?
I'm glad your employer can be flexible at times with arrival time. Even though it is stressful right now, when Cam (crossing fingers) begins to sleep better and Maya can do more on her own, you will be more rested and feel less stress. I does take a lot out of you, and that's even before you begin work
Take care -- good luck in incorporating in some of these ideas.
I just expect chaos until they are self sufficient. Not much help, am I? lol!
I do as much the night before as I can. Bottles, pump, clothes picked out, diapers ready, lunches, coffee (lots of coffee!!!). I also shower the night before. If I didn't, I would have to get up at 430.
And I hear you on the exhaustion. Grier has decided that 330 is a good wake up time
Although I'm sorry others struggle with this too, I'm happy to know I'm not alone.
I do as much at night as possible. I lay out clothes, pack the diaper bag, choose Maya's sleep toy daily and show and share for Fridays, get the bottles and pump ready, pack my laptop, etc. I think I'll start taking that all to the car at night so it's already there in the morning.
I probably need to suck it up and try some night showers. I just don't feel as "fresh" the next day. My hair also doesn't cooperate quite as much after sleeping on it.
Maya is usually fairly cooperative aside from being a little pokey with getting her shoes on and walking to the car. Cam can get fussy wanting attention, follows Maya from room to room, and just needs lots of redirection in general. He tries to keep coming in the bathroom as I get ready, he pulls movies off the movie stand, reaches for every cord in sight, he tries to attack Maya as she eats her breakfast. He's just a little monster
I'm with you on the bedtime thing, Deb. It's so hard, especially on nights I get home later. I feel like I walk in the door, cook dinner, clean up, and there's almost no quality time before baths and bed. When we do have that time, it seems Maya gets to bed too late. Cam is always asleep no later than 8:30, but Maya can be a night owl if we allow it.
Thanks so much for your suggestions, ladies! I telling myself it's a phase due to young ages and it will get better