For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

A little history: I'm 6 months pregnant - expecting in April, and currently have a 16mth old who is currently in Daycare. I had a spot being held for my new DD at the daycare my DD is in. She wouldn't have started until around July. At the time these plans were made, I was working - however, I was laid off.

Fast forward to now: After getting laid off, I decided to pursue Court Reporting and signed up for school in April. The classes are for 4 hours in the AM Mon - Fri. I informed DH of this and he was ok with it. However, now DH's schedule is going to be changing to 12 hour shifts (evening shifts where he will work 3 days and have off 4, then work 4 and have off 3 (something like that - can't get it straight - sorry). This means I will be home alone with both babies from 6pm to 8am on the days he works and I'm starting to get nervous.

Aside from the fact that I am not working, I'm wondering how I'm going to manage if it comes down to us not being able to afford to send them to daycare. DH will be home by 8am (if I'm lucky) but, that would mean I'd have to run home after school so that he can sleep, and may not have time to do homework, or study if necessary. Unfortunately, I don't have family here, and all of my friends work.

As much as we don't want to pull our DD from Daycare, I have come to realize that we may not have a choice. After getting laid off, I don't know that it will be feasible - even with Unemployment, unless I am able to get a part time job (which I wouldn't mind doing but don't know how I'll be able to with his new schedule). I cut down her time to 3 days a week instead of a full week for now - since I am carrying low and we are paying daily instead of the regular weekly fee, but again don't know how long we can do this for.

This is where I need advice from any/all you SAHM's or anyone who can offer any type of schedule, routine, advice to me.

I am completely lost here.

Thanks so much ladies - and sorry for it being so long.

Re: For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

what about a babysitter, isnt it a little cheaper?

Re: For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

you want advice how a SAHM runs her day? what exactly did you want to know...?

Re: For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

Re: For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

I think with those hrs you will be alone you will be fine!

My son is 19 months and he is in bed by 7:30 every night...so if you can manage an early bedtime, then you just worry about the younger one waking up or dealing with just one.

I dont think it will be that hard at all

Re: For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

Posted by dm24angel

I think with those hrs you will be alone you will be fine!

My son is 19 months and he is in bed by 7:30 every night...so if you can manage an early bedtime, then you just worry about the younger one waking up or dealing with just one.

I dont think it will be that hard at all

Re: For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

I agree with Donna.

Does you DH happen to be EMS for the FDNY?

Re: For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

Re: For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

Re: For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

Posted by dm24angel

I think with those hrs you will be alone you will be fine!

My son is 19 months and he is in bed by 7:30 every night...so if you can manage an early bedtime, then you just worry about the younger one waking up or dealing with just one.

I dont think it will be that hard at all

Re: For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

Posted by Mimi25

Posted by dm24angel

I think with those hrs you will be alone you will be fine!

My son is 19 months and he is in bed by 7:30 every night...so if you can manage an early bedtime, then you just worry about the younger one waking up or dealing with just one.

I dont think it will be that hard at all

It's so scary. I'm so scared that DD on the way will be like current DD - up every 2 hours and not sleeping all night until she was 15mths. As is , she still gets up from time to time 2x a night. I know it can be done, but I'm just freaking out as the time gets closer.

Re: For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

Well, I guess I was sort of in your position two years ago: I was working FT, had a 16 month old DD and was expecting in May...and I was quitting my job to stay home.

I was absolutely terrified! I had a rough adjustment to my first daughter and was wondering how I would keep my sanity with no "light at the end of the tunnel" by returning to work. In so many ways I was not/am not the SAHM sort.

Now, fast forward to today: My older DD is almost 3.5 and the younger one is almost 20 mos. I can't even tell you with any clarity what the first couple of months were like. See! How bad could it have been? I KNOW you don't want to hear this, but it all works out and you'll find your way--whether you return to work, don't return to work or end up PT. It's a challenge; but now in many ways, I can't even imagine how crazy my life would be if I WERE working...and I miss my job a lot!

Oh yeah, and I need to add...I went back for thirds so that ought to tell you something!

Best of luck!

Re: For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

Posted by KateDevine

Posted by Mimi25

Posted by KateDevine

I agree with Donna.

Does you DH happen to be EMS for the FDNY?

No he's a Police Officer

Ahhh, I was going to say that that schedule wasn't permanent yet

I am sure you will be ok, my DH is on nights too, and its tough, but you get used to it

Re: For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

Re: For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

Re: For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

Posted by Eireann

Well, I guess I was sort of in your position two years ago: I was working FT, had a 16 month old DD and was expecting in May...and I was quitting my job to stay home.

I was absolutely terrified! I had a rough adjustment to my first daughter and was wondering how I would keep my sanity with no "light at the end of the tunnel" by returning to work. In so many ways I was not/am not the SAHM sort.

Now, fast forward to today: My older DD is almost 3.5 and the younger one is almost 20 mos. I can't even tell you with any clarity what the first couple of months were like. See! How bad could it have been? I KNOW you don't want to hear this, but it all works out and you'll find your way--whether you return to work, don't return to work or end up PT. It's a challenge; but now in many ways, I can't even imagine how crazy my life would be if I WERE working...and I miss my job a lot!

Oh yeah, and I need to add...I went back for thirds so that ought to tell you something!

Best of luck!

Re: For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

Posted by Chicken92305

Posted by Mimi25

Posted by Chicken92305

you want advice how a SAHM runs her day? what exactly did you want to know...?

We aren't ruling out a babysitter, but the days my DH is off he can obviously watch both babies. However, my concern is the days he isn't off.

As for a SAHM mom, any advice is what I am asking for. I'm not sure I worded it right (a lot on my mind). I basically want to know how SAHM'S do it with 2 kids under 2. I'm sure there are routines or something (I could be wrong), but since I've always worked I have no clue. I want to keep my soon to be 2 year old entertained, while obviously nurturing the NB.

Thanks.

ive been a stay at home mom for 3 years now...DD is 3, DS is 13months

for us we are VERY organized and scheduled. we are also very busy with activities throughout the week. i try to break up the day best i can.

i get the kids up and dressed and then we eat breakfast. Then we have playtime and a small snack. Then lunch around 12ish and naps around 1pm After naps, we have a small snack and dinner around 5:30/6 and playtime in between. Then both kids get milk to be sure their bellies are full.
Baths are at 7/7:15. Its bath, book, music on then bedtime by 8 the latest.

We have a busy schedule during the week.
DD is in preschool tues and thurs for 2 1/2 hours. DS is in parent/tot with me on thurs from 10-11am. Weds is playgroup 10am-12pm. Thurs 3-6 is another weekly playdate with a friend that lives on our block. thats not counting any other playdate or library event or birthday party that comes up.
We try to stay busy yet organized. The kids are used to their routine.

The times where i have to tend to my DS, i try to set DD up with something she can do on her own...coloring, dress up, play-doh, dancing to music, occasionally a dvd...depends on the mood and the day. sometimes DD likes to help me with DS too.
When we have playtime together i try to do something that both a 3 and a 1yr old can do (parachute, dancing, instuments, cars, playfood and play kitchen, books)
i guess the best advice that i can give is stick to a schedule that works best for you and your kids...kids thrive on it, they need/want to know what is going to happen next in their day.
yes there are crazy days but its nice to have a schedule to help get everyone back on track. i hope this helps ! being a SAHM is the best thing i have ever done in my life!!

Re: For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

Posted by Mimi25

Posted by Chicken92305

Posted by Mimi25

Posted by Chicken92305

you want advice how a SAHM runs her day? what exactly did you want to know...?

We aren't ruling out a babysitter, but the days my DH is off he can obviously watch both babies. However, my concern is the days he isn't off.

As for a SAHM mom, any advice is what I am asking for. I'm not sure I worded it right (a lot on my mind). I basically want to know how SAHM'S do it with 2 kids under 2. I'm sure there are routines or something (I could be wrong), but since I've always worked I have no clue. I want to keep my soon to be 2 year old entertained, while obviously nurturing the NB.

Thanks.

ive been a stay at home mom for 3 years now...DD is 3, DS is 13months

for us we are VERY organized and scheduled. we are also very busy with activities throughout the week. i try to break up the day best i can.

i get the kids up and dressed and then we eat breakfast. Then we have playtime and a small snack. Then lunch around 12ish and naps around 1pm After naps, we have a small snack and dinner around 5:30/6 and playtime in between. Then both kids get milk to be sure their bellies are full.
Baths are at 7/7:15. Its bath, book, music on then bedtime by 8 the latest.

We have a busy schedule during the week.
DD is in preschool tues and thurs for 2 1/2 hours. DS is in parent/tot with me on thurs from 10-11am. Weds is playgroup 10am-12pm. Thurs 3-6 is another weekly playdate with a friend that lives on our block. thats not counting any other playdate or library event or birthday party that comes up.
We try to stay busy yet organized. The kids are used to their routine.

The times where i have to tend to my DS, i try to set DD up with something she can do on her own...coloring, dress up, play-doh, dancing to music, occasionally a dvd...depends on the mood and the day. sometimes DD likes to help me with DS too.
When we have playtime together i try to do something that both a 3 and a 1yr old can do (parachute, dancing, instuments, cars, playfood and play kitchen, books)
i guess the best advice that i can give is stick to a schedule that works best for you and your kids...kids thrive on it, they need/want to know what is going to happen next in their day.
yes there are crazy days but its nice to have a schedule to help get everyone back on track. i hope this helps ! being a SAHM is the best thing i have ever done in my life!!

I'm currently trying to find mommy/me groups in my area. Unfortunately all of my friends who have children - they are older and in school, and both parents work - so play dates aren't even an option with them.

Re: For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

Posted by Chicken92305

Posted by Mimi25

Posted by Chicken92305

Posted by Mimi25

Posted by Chicken92305

you want advice how a SAHM runs her day? what exactly did you want to know...?

We aren't ruling out a babysitter, but the days my DH is off he can obviously watch both babies. However, my concern is the days he isn't off.

As for a SAHM mom, any advice is what I am asking for. I'm not sure I worded it right (a lot on my mind). I basically want to know how SAHM'S do it with 2 kids under 2. I'm sure there are routines or something (I could be wrong), but since I've always worked I have no clue. I want to keep my soon to be 2 year old entertained, while obviously nurturing the NB.

Thanks.

ive been a stay at home mom for 3 years now...DD is 3, DS is 13months

for us we are VERY organized and scheduled. we are also very busy with activities throughout the week. i try to break up the day best i can.

i get the kids up and dressed and then we eat breakfast. Then we have playtime and a small snack. Then lunch around 12ish and naps around 1pm After naps, we have a small snack and dinner around 5:30/6 and playtime in between. Then both kids get milk to be sure their bellies are full.
Baths are at 7/7:15. Its bath, book, music on then bedtime by 8 the latest.

We have a busy schedule during the week.
DD is in preschool tues and thurs for 2 1/2 hours. DS is in parent/tot with me on thurs from 10-11am. Weds is playgroup 10am-12pm. Thurs 3-6 is another weekly playdate with a friend that lives on our block. thats not counting any other playdate or library event or birthday party that comes up.
We try to stay busy yet organized. The kids are used to their routine.

The times where i have to tend to my DS, i try to set DD up with something she can do on her own...coloring, dress up, play-doh, dancing to music, occasionally a dvd...depends on the mood and the day. sometimes DD likes to help me with DS too.
When we have playtime together i try to do something that both a 3 and a 1yr old can do (parachute, dancing, instuments, cars, playfood and play kitchen, books)
i guess the best advice that i can give is stick to a schedule that works best for you and your kids...kids thrive on it, they need/want to know what is going to happen next in their day.
yes there are crazy days but its nice to have a schedule to help get everyone back on track. i hope this helps ! being a SAHM is the best thing i have ever done in my life!!

I'm currently trying to find mommy/me groups in my area. Unfortunately all of my friends who have children - they are older and in school, and both parents work - so play dates aren't even an option with them.

i am the secretary of a moms club. its an international group. The chapter i am in is the western/suffolk group. If you are in lindenhurst massapequa, farmingdale, amityville or copiage you can join my chapter...if your not, go to momsclub.org to find one nearest you. Ive been part of this group for about 2 yrs now and met such wonderful people. My kids are in a weekly playgroup, we attend events that are organized on a monthly calendar. we go to holiday parties every year and its a nice way to meet other moms and kids in your area. Best part is you do everything at your own pace on your own schedule. FM if you need more info. Its one of the best things i did, i made such great friends and so did my kids...i even go out once a month with some 'mommy friends" on tues we all went out to dinner to the melting pot!

Re: For SAHM or anyone who can offer advice

no problem!