Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

How do you unwind from your day?

I like to work out, but its more of an effort at the end of the day and not a real "unwind"

And then I feel obligated to straighten up a bit - or *gasp* clean if I have an iota of strength left.

But then, as soon as I plant myself down, I am

I have books neglected on my night stand - yes, I come on here, which is just a way to get some thoughts out and distract myself with other people's lives, but I think its time to work on myself again.... I just don't know how anymore!!!!

Message edited 5/26/2008 8:07:53 PM.

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

I have been reflecting on this very point lately because I always feel like I am going nonstop. There is no time to unwind. My DH leaves at the crack of dawn for work and if he isn't out of town traveling, gets home after DC is already asleep. So it's go go go for me. Wake up, get DC ready and TRY to get myself ready while I am chasing DC around. Work 10 hours, rush to pick up DC, feed him, give him a bath, spend a few minutes with him then put him to sleep. If DH comes home for dinner then I cook and clean up. Then I have to do some kind of work just to keep our lives in order - get DC ready for daycare, get myself prepared for work, do the dishes, the laundry, the bills, etc. Then I literally collapse. If I can find a few minutes in between, I come on the computer or watch a some of a TV show. I would love to work out as well but apparently I am meant to stay fat and unhealthy because I cannot fathom where I could fit that in. It is very hard.

Message edited 5/26/2008 8:47:30 PM.

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

my hour of wind down in the hour between when she goes to sleep and when I do. I NEED that tv time alone in my bed. I really look forward to it.

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

My time to myself, 100% is lunchtime - I have an hour everyday at lunch and I use it to reconnect with friends for lunch, workout or take a nice, long walk in the sunshine. It totally reinvigorates me for the rest of the day. Otherwise, at the end of the day, I like to bake to unwind. Strange, I know

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

Posted by Bxgell2

My time to myself, 100% is lunchtime - I have an hour everyday at lunch and I use it to reconnect with friends for lunch, workout or take a nice, long walk in the sunshine. It totally reinvigorates me for the rest of the day. Otherwise, at the end of the day, I like to bake to unwind. Strange, I know

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

After Jacob goes to bed we eat dinner and I go into bed and read..even if its for a half an hour it helps me to unwind.

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

Lord. I wish I knew.

Lately with the house selling, the birthday party, work being crazy, preparing for Disney, etc. I feel like I haven't taken a breath in weeks.

I guess my wind down time is TV at night, but I'm usually on my laptop trying to get work done at the same time.

I'm currently running myself ragged and I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel yet.

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

I dont think I really ever wind down

Mornings are hectic
Work is hectic (sometimes i get to the gym during lunch)
Nights I am running around getting DS ready for bed, cleaning, paying bills, straightening up

Last night I looked at the time and it was 10:30 and I had NOT stopped!!!

I dont know what to say...i guess this is our lives now...

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

Doesn't your husband help? I work 50 hrs a week and then commute another 10hrs.. I am home by 630.....


I cook he cleans up.. we share laundry and cleaning and taking care of Sofia...


maybe we are use to busy lives I don't know but everything works out smooth....

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

Winding down?? what's that?? I start my day at 5:30 and I don't stop until dd goes to bed at around 10. By that time, I just crawl into bed and go to sleep. I like to exercise but trying to find the time is difficult. I like to read but that is hard to do as well.

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

I work 4 days a week, but thats pretty much full time in my book. After work, putting the kid to bed, eating dinner, tidying up the kitchen...well its about 9 pm, so what do I do...I sit on my arse watching television. And then I go to bed and read.

My house is a mess. A big mess.
And I don't care.

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

I do not quote "work" but I do---alot!!!!!!
and trust me sahms do not unwind either---nor pee alone or eat lunch alone if u get to eat because they want your lunch---
its the way of life...when they go to bed no matter how late u squeeze in a chapter--I just starting doing this too--because I love to read.
any free second is weeding or running the other two around--
I guess the breaks come when they are all self-reliant.
I will go out for coffee or sometihng once in awhile and Stan watches them...
but not every single day

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

Well after DS goes to bed I take a nice long shower or bath in the jacuzzi. It helps destress me. My commute is very long (5 hrs per day total). But before a I straighten up a bit, talk to DH on the phone b/c he is still on his way home from work or still at work, and I eat dinner. I am too tired to read b/c i am preggo or to work out.

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

Wind down is usually the hour between the time she is really asleep and the time I go to bed. I was a tv addict all season. I actually started reading a book last night and fell asleep on the recliner. I guess that was me winding down. My DH is a huge help too.

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

I leave house at 7:15 and get home at 6:30. I try to take my DS for a walk around the track, come home, make dinner, and would love to clean, but I am too tired. I feel bad if I clean when DS is awake b/c I don' see him during the day. I feel guilty doing anything that doesnt' include him b/c we are apart during the day. there aren't enough hours in the day

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

It's definatley getting harder now that it's lighter later and DS is going to bed later. I've started to cut back on my cleaning at night which isn't good b/c my house is a mess!

When DH is home, he helps a lot and we get things done faster so once DS goes to bed, we can both do what we like to unwind.

If he's not home, like last night, it's really tough. There were a couple of weeks in a row where DH worked nights and I was ready to pull my hair out. I got nothing done so, I hate to confess this but, I put on a DVD for DS that gave myself an hour to read and relax. I really don't like doing that b/c I don't see him all day and I like to play and interact with him when I get home but I needed a break.

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

I totally hear you...my husband and I both work and he picks up DS from my mom's or SIL's. The minute I walk into the house in the evening, I take over with DS as my DH cooks dinner, I get DS ready for bath, bed etc., and after he is down we eat dinner after which I clean up and get everything ready for the next day. My husband helps out a lot and I sort of pace myself to get everything done in order to sit down at least for an hour and just chill out. I utilize my lunch hour to shop, pay bills, run errands, get mani/pedi, check emails, make phone calls, etc...I try to organize myself so that I do little by little every day. I read my books and papers on the train or in bed. Otherwise I'd be beat. I do tend to lose myself in the whirlwind of everyday life but then when I have some time I'll schedule to get my hair done, massage, mani/pedi etc.

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

I dress up in a dominatrix outfit and make sure my husband knows I'm in charge!





Seriously, I haven't unwound. We moved in the night before DS came. We're still playing catch-up.

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

Re: Moms who work FT and then take care of DC FT...

I unwind when DS goes to bed at 8pm

I get home around 6pm. I cook, DH cleans. I then bathe DS and spend sometime with him before he goes to bed. After that I unwind, I straighten up the house, I get ready for the next day, I watch tv or read. I dont exercise because I am too exhausted at that point