Most challenging aspect of being a working mom?

Posts: 55
2/5/13 8:55 A

I would have to say that it's a tie between time and energy!!! When 8 hours a day, and all your energy is used up, there are only so many hours before you have to sleep so that you can do it the next day! That's just fitting in work, adding in another kid, man, household duties, and preporation for the new baby there is no moment left in a day!!! (Much less any energy!) I find that I run on pure will power most days!! I have a voice in my head saying keep going, just 5 more minutes!

Posts: 95
7/14/12 10:31 A

I'm rounding out my first trimester and being a mom was working rather well for me with only one (I have a 5 y/o) but now trying to get through first trimester and not really digging my job as much as I should/use to... I find it very hard to focus. And honestly, I'm dealing with a bit of anxiety about how I will juggle two and work a job. Luckily, I have a fantastic husband and a big boy who is EXCITED to help with baby and around the house but I will need to search for a new position if I plan to stay sane with two.

And I will breastfeed.. so even now thinking about how I will work out pumping and keeping up my milk supply is worrisome.

Edited by: MAMASCO at: 7/14/2012 (10:33)

Posts: 742
5/20/12 10:05 P

As a working mom-to-be, I find it hard to cut back on the things I was used to doing like working out, lifting things, going all day on fumes and little sleep. I was so used to my body being run ragged and fatigued that now its weird that its being fatigue due to the baby.

I can only imagine what new challenges will be introduced once the baby is born, but I look forward to tackling them head on.

Posts: 951
5/9/12 4:47 P

TIME! Having time to cook supper and us eat before 8, having enough time to spend with my sons in the afternoon and get what needs to be done, having enough energy at the end of the day to stay awake for husband time! TIME and energy.. Even on the weekends b/t Birthday parties and doing what needs to be done, I don't ever have time to go shopping for discounts, etc.. I use to love shopping the clearance racks..

Posts: 86
4/26/12 12:22 P

Finding enough hours in the day. With 3 kids and one on the way while working 10 hour shifts it's rough. I'm so blessed to have a long weekend every weekend though and I somehow always have enough love to go around lol.

Edited by: ROEVELASCO10 at: 4/26/2012 (12:23)

Posts: 10
4/19/12 10:32 P

Keeping up my milk supply for the babysitter.

Posts: 721
4/5/12 12:01 P

i think for me the hardest part is finding the time for sleep and me. after work on days shifts i don't do anything like cleaning and tidying up until after the kid all go to bed so we have those few hours to do stuff together as a family. When i am on night shifts i only sleep maybe two hrs when my youngest naps and the other two are in school. I find if i'm not extremely organized it just doesn't work out well for me.

BabyPoints: 917
Posts: 9
3/10/12 6:43 P

I think the hardest part is trying to balance equally all of your responsibilities and trying to find time for your kids, work, your spouse and possibly a little time for yourself. I haven't really figured out how to get some ME time in there yet....

Posts: 6
2/11/12 3:37 P

My challenges:
1) I really miss the baby when I'm at work. It drives me crazy hearing from her dad how much I miss everyday.
2) I'm exclusively pumping. Keeping my kits clean and ready to go can be a problem. Also the time it takes to pump at work kills my breaks and lunch time. I only have time to go to our Mother's Room (which I'm thankful we have), pump, rinse everything, and maybe hit the bathroom before going straight back to my desk.
3) I think the BIGGEST challenge for me is that I don't know my body anymore. I don't recognize the new signs it uses to tell me I'm hungry or tired. None of those signs are the same as before or while I was pregnant. It's actually causing me major problems both at home and work.

Posts: 12
1/31/12 9:28 A

My biggest challenge is trying to control my temper and mood swings around my coworkers. I often just hang out in the rest room or break room so I don't make my coworkers hate me :) They always ask every morning if today is a good day or a bad day. I hope I don't get fired.

Posts: 113
1/26/12 4:29 P

Most challenging is finding a balance of life. also, finding the 'me' time and allowing myself to reflect. I love my job and career and I want my children to grow up and see me as something they want to be when they grow up. I want them to grow up to be well-rounded independent individuals. I miss my little girl everyday, but i wouldn't stop working to be a SAHM.

It is very difficult to live on one income comfortably where we live. We definitely would not have a home and large backyard.

I have found a wonderful in-home daycare that feels like family to me.

it takes time to find your 'groove'. Just know that there are others out there doing what you are doing.

Posts: 407
11/14/11 9:23 P

The polarization within..on the one hand I LOVE my baby boy and time with him is such a gift. On the other hand I LOVE my job and could not imagine my life without some aspect of it to keep my mind going. I think it's the guilt of being torn...

Posts: 631
10/5/11 12:38 P

Yep, so far energy and not being sick is the biggest challenge of this soon to be mom! I am 13 weeks pregnant and very excited but finding it difficult to work normally...strange how much it can really impact your day to day life!

Posts: 346
9/26/11 2:21 P

The biggest challenge for me is having enough energy through the day. I sleep 8 hours at night already as it is. And once the baby is born how are me and my husband going to afford day care he owns his own small company landscaping and in the winter there is hardly any money coming in but he stills has to go to work he cant just close for the summer.

BabyPoints: 371
Posts: 25
7/13/11 3:12 P

I am nervous about how I will feel about leaving the baby to work. My husband will be able to take care of him/her while I am working and I will be home when he is working. I hope that we will be able to find time to spend together and that maybe I will enjoy having some time away...

BabyPoints: 738
Posts: 53
7/12/11 5:50 P

i hste being away from my DD so long =(

BabyPoints: 999
Posts: 118
6/17/11 12:15 P

There are so many hard parts. Last night is a great example...after a full school day (I'm a Special Education Transition Coordinator at a HS) and my 1.5 hour one way commute, I got to my daughter's daycare at 4:50pm for a 5pm pick-up. Then we got home at 6pm. Played and had dinner, and she was in bed by 8pm. Then while my DH put her to bed, I ran to the store, did laundry, dishes and paid the bills...got in bed by 11:30, just to do it all again.
I sometimes wish I was a SAHM. It just seems like all of the housework things wouldn't be so rushed from 6pm - 11pm and I would have MORE time to actually spend with my girl that wasn't driving, eating or bathing!!

Posts: 2722
2/17/11 3:00 P

I didn't realize that I would want to be a SAHM until I had DS. I was so mad at myself for taking on student loans during college and having so much debt. We have been in the process of becoming debt free for a little over 3 years.

The hardest part for me is when they aren't feeling well or when DS has activities at school I can't attend. I can also relate to the PP that it feels like RUSH RUSH RUSH in the a.m. only to RUSH RUSH RUSH once the clock hit's 4 to go get the kids, get home, cook, homework, story time, baths...it's overwhelming. I'm very nervous about a third but just thankful we do have that blessing.

I can also relate to PP saying that she can't sacrifice a low income environment/schooling. We chose where to live especially for that reason. We live in a very safe community, DS goes to a great public school and having a home, allowing him to do sports etc costs money.

Whenever I start to feel guilty or overhwelmed I remind myself that this is temporary. My dream is to be a teacher so I can have that time off with them but financially right now we just can't. So churning away to become debt free while also providing all we can for our kids.