Monday, April 19, 2010

Changing work schedule

Today I started my new work schedule, which is really my old schedule, for the most part.  I don't know how full-time working mommies do it and keep sane.  I went back to work full-time in December, after a few years of 32 hours per week.  I just can't get it together!  Our company merged, so the new company policy is to work 35 hours per week to keep benefits, so that's what I'm going to do.  Since Dan works a contract, we get our benefits thru my job.  I know that doesn't seem like much, but being able to log some hours from home will be awesome. 

Well, the past few months, I've been a bitchy, stressed out mess at home and at work.  My house is a complete disaster. I can't keep up with laundry, can't volunteer for much at Zoe's school, can't even have lunch with her.  By the time I got home from work, I was physically and mentally exhausted.  I actually like to cook, but just didn't feel like doing that or much of anything.  I would get up very early and try to do house stuff before getting Zoe ready for school, then rush off to work.  After work, I would rush home to meet the school bus and take Zoe to whatever activity scheduled for that day.  It really felt like I was doing everything I did at home before, plus working 40 hours, with little or no help. 

So, I really hope I have made the right decision.  Tomorrow will be a "home" day, and I am actually looking forward to cleaning, straightening and getting my house in order.  I will log in remotely to work.  I was so much happier before, when I had this schedule.  I hope I can find that happiness again.  Of course, I'm totally stressed out now and have convinced myself that someone will complain.  I never had complaints in the past, but I still worry.  Jobs are scarce out there and I'd probably never find a job that allowed me to have a flexible schedule.  So, hopefully all the years I've put in and work I've done will keep things going smoothly.  Fingers & toes crossed.

3 comments:

  1. In today's economy with so many ppl unemployed, it is a blessing to have a job w/benefits. Just do the best you can. You're not super woman. And if you have to pull a pair of jeans out of the dirty clothes for your kid to wear, crap happens! That's life. You are trying to work and provide a better life for your family so that's something to be proud of. I don't know if your husband helps you at all at home, but if he doesn't you might want to sit down with him and explain how you are going to need his help to keep your head above water. As for cooking, I am going to give you some bad advice that works for busy moms and wives. Keep frozen stuff handy. Frozen Ore Ida fries to bake. Frozen chicken strips already breaded so all you have to do is pop them in the oven. Frozen chicken nuggets.Tombstone pizzas. It is so much help to just turn the oven on, popp some trays of food in, and 20 minutes later you have hot food, and you didn't have to stand in the kitchen and babysit it. Another tip. On your day off, have your husband grill up an entire big bag of individual boneless skinless chicken breasts and place 2 or 3 in bags and freeze them. You can pull them out of the freezer, microwave them to defrost them, then use the chicken for dinner. Just a few tips that might help. I am all about doing what is easy for me.

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  2. I know it isn't easy. Have you considered getting some one to come in and clean? I know it's an expense but even once a month to do the deep cleaning and you can maintain better. Don't worry about someone complaining- they'll only be jealous and your time at home is more profitable than in the office. I worked at home for a while and felt like I was TONS more honest and profitable with my time! Hang in there and nothing has to be perfect-

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  3. Thanks for the comments! I'm trying to do better with keeping frozen foods/meals on hand. I actually got a small chest freezer to go in the garage. I like the idea of grilling up a bag of chicken breasts and freezing them, that's a great idea. Hadn't thought of that.

    I agree though, when I worked from home in the past, I actually felt like I got more done, work and home stuff. This is week two and I think it will go a little more smoothly.

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