A day in life of a working mom

Hello all,

Thought will start this thread to discuss experiences of a working mother and how do they manage home, baby, work and do they get some time for themselves?

Please also share how old your kid/s are?

I am a mom to 1 month old baby and planning to resume work from when he is 4 months. I am looking for information on day care and also trying to figure out how to manage and organize life without losing the zest for it

Any replies or suggestions please?

Hi,

Good idea to resume your work. But at the same time you should find a good baby sitter for your baby. They should be reliable and caring. I've heard stories that in the day care the care takers dont feed the babies properly, instead would give them injections to put them to sleep till their parents come to pick them up. If yours is a girl baby then u need to be more careful. I am not trying to scare you but instead trying to help you out.

Think twice before deciding on anything. It should not affect your baby anyway. This is the time your presence is more needed for your baby.

Hi ptamil,

I think the key is to organize, organize. you can also hire a help for helping with the housework but if thats not possible then organizing the housework, cooking etc.

I think leaving your child in daycare and going to work depends upon your tolerance level and the childs tolerance level. Some children are less clingy and adjust to daycare and being around with strangers very easily, but for some it may be a daily struggle going on for years and may continue upto kindergarten.

Keep in mind that now times are changing and there are many oppurtunities for ladies to work from home itself.

I personally am very uneasy about housemaids at home espesially for NRI's because I have heard of many stories about small children being even sexually abused and as such gives me the creeps.
Even if the child is exposed to more children and the subsequent infectious diseases, I prefer my child to be with a day care provider with a reasonable no. of children, thers is safety in numbers there. I am living in UAE and money was very tight when I started working I first started part-time and working from the home, then when I got a full time job when she was three, I went for the most expensive daycare run by the Arab National Ladies here. It was almost half my salary, but I felt at peace at offfice. My friends scolded me for being so liberal with my money, but then continued on to complain about how often their children fell sick and all that. The daycare which I had selected had a child specialist oncall, and seperate rooms with seperate cribs for sick children, so when my daughter fell sick (Twice in one year), I could leave her at the daycare itself, no need to take leave and she was also happy as she thought it a special priviledge to go to the sick room (:-0), Ofcourse this facility is not available every where,
Another friend of mine almost fell at the feet of her neighbour (also our friend) and persuaded her to look after her child, I would have done the same, because we trust her so much, but when I joined duty, she had a new born so I didnt want to inconvenience her.
I am blabbering I think, am I still on the topic? Well best wishes for the future and may Godhelp you to take the best decision for you in your current situation.

Hi,

Please find a good day care well in advance. Try for few days and see if the baby is able to adjust. You also need some time to adjust to the idea of leaving your baby with someone else. If the day care facility is not good, then try another one until you find a good day care. Allot a month for this whole exercise. So by the time you start going to work, you will be at peace.

My friend too started going to work after 6 months maternity leave. Initially she was not able to concentrate on her work because she wasnt able to adjust to staying away from her child. Her mom was taking care of the baby. Initially everything was fine but after sometime, her mom started talking what great favor she is doing by taking care of the baby and started dominating my friend and her husband :confused:

My friend was so depressed

Hi ptamil,

I am a working women having a two year old kid. I resume to my job when my kid was one year. I am working in a very peaceful and worriless mind, becasue of 'MY MOM'.

Even from the day one when i took my child from hospital, she used to come daily to my home (she stayed with my dad and my brother) and take care of my son.

He is also so attached to her. now he is going to playschool with my mom, she used to do everything for him.. Actually now i am finding it difficult to take care of him even in the weekends... even to make him to take his bath or feed him... i find it really very tough and challenging. Its all because all the time i left him with my mom. Now my hubby scolds me for that. But because of some financial commitments i need to continue my job...

Going to job is depends on the family's economic situation and one's own interest.

Think more before going for a job..

Don't forget to send your views on my opinion.

Bye......Take care of yourself and your kid.


Anu

Dear IL friends,

I am Leena Dharani , mom of 3 yr old girl kutty. I am happy to register my self in IL site & share my views with other like minded ppl. Me too a working home maker. morning 9 to 7pm office & 8pm to 8am home.

I took a break when i was on my family way & resumed work when my baby was 8 months. All the credit goes only to 'MY MOM-IN-LAW'. Even though she is illiterate, she wanted my not to waste my time & knowledge and made a point that I should go to work, earn & stand on my own. Through this site i would like to salute the great soul.

She takes great care of my baby that I dont have to bother about anything. Now my baby goes to school & my mother-in-law takes care once my baby is back from school.

Though we fight for silly reasons, i make a point not to hurt my mother-in-law at any cost.

Rdgs,

Leena Dharani.
Chennai

Hi Leenadharani,

Welcome to IL. Be happy for your MIL takes care of your baby instead of leaving the kid in the daycare etc.

Hi ptamil,

I have a 51/2 month old son and had to resume work when he was three months old. Luckily my mum and dad were there at that time, so I didnt have to look for childcare.

Just last month my mum had to go back as she is still working and couldnt get any more leave. My dad though wanted to stay on and look after my son while I am at work.

It is pretty exhausting, I start work very early and finish at 4 pm. Then I cook, finish at 6 pm, give him a bath, put him to sleep. After he goes to sleep, then i do a bit of work about the house. I have started going for walks as well after that. I think it is best to prioritize things and leave the other things for the weekends like cleaning the house, grocery shopping, etc. If we do that on Saturday, then Sunday is family time when me, my hubby, my dad & my baby go out somewhere or stay home together.

Love, Riya