Anyone do occasional nightshifts?

[skramble]

If you work occasional night shifts. Just wondered how you cope with the change of work patterns. My kids are at school so I should be able to catch up with sleep after a night shift OK.

Applied for a job that is part time with funny shifts. Might be one or two a nights a week not sure how the shifts work yet.

[TheInvisibleManDidIt]

I do nights as part of my shift rota, it's a 5 week rota with a total of 7 nights during that time.

My ds's are at school, and I manage ok. Get to sleep from around 9.15 after school run, and get up about 14.15. It's tiring, and the housework suffers alot when I'm on nights, but it works really well for our family.

I also do day shifts and back shifts too, and think the nights are probably the best as far as the dc's are concerned. I'm there for dinner and bed time, and home in time for them getting up again, so they never really know I'm gone.

And dh quite likes it too, as for those 7 nights he can snore as loud as he wants and not get kicked for it

[mylittlemousie]

I do a run of 7 every 8 weeks, which is a bit different. It depends how you cope with nights - some are fine, some struggle. I don't like them tbh because of the effect on my body clock and health and general grumpiness but seem to get through. Have you worked nights before?

[cheshirekitty]

I used to do 7 nights on, 7 nights off rota which I enjoyed. I got a decent amount of sleep though as my dd was studying for A levels.

Every other week, the house looked great. I found that in the weeks I worked, I could only manage work and sleep.

[skramble]

Thanks for the info. I was thinking that too that I will be able to take DC to their actvities before dropping off at Granny's.

I have worked plenty late shifts that finish anything from midnight to 3am, and I just sleep in the next day, think the full night shift might be a bit different.

Total hours for the week will be 17.5 so not sure if that will be 2 or 3 shifts.

[TheInvisibleManDidIt]

Skramble, 17.5 hours would probably be 3 shifts. If the shifts are shorted than 6 hrs it means they don't have to give you an hours lunch. (think that's right anyway)

Back shifts, or late shifts are very different from nights, as rather than just sleeping a bit longer, you have to get used to sleeping during the day. There's more things happening to disturb sleep too, people knocking on your door (normally with next doors parcels!), phone ringing, depending on where you live traffic noise.

You also have to consider school holidays when the children will be home and you won't get a sleep atall. DEpends how old they are.

Not trying to put you off, as I said before, the night shifts I do suit us well. Just some things to consider.

[zoggs]

I work 3 nights every week - 4 on, 2 off, 2 on, 6 off. Shift is 10 hours with a 1 hour break. Suits me at the moment but there are drawbacks. I feel quite isolated when I'm working because it is just sleep and work. Helps to be very organised in terms of shopping, meals etc. Fortunately, I sleep very well from 9am until 5-6pm. DS2 goes to after school club and usually gets picked up by DP.

Some people think you work nights and carry on as normal during the day after a little nap. I don't think that's safe especially if you have to drive or have a lot of responsibilty at work. It's tiring and I think it has been shown that night workers have a shorter life expectancy. However, it suits family life when DCs are young. Also, great for me to have 6 nights off every fortnight.

I would not work in a job where I had to do days and nights as that really messes your body clock around.

[skramble]

Thats what I was worried about it messing with my body clock, but it will not be big blocks of night shift I don't know I can only give it a go. Its more MIL taking the kids that I am worrying about now, I told her I had applied, she wasn't that enthusiastic. I will have to wait and see what the actual shifts will be.

I will be able to sleep 9-3pm after a night shift and kids are old enough to let me have a sleep when they are off school, I am good at dosing with one eye open . I know I will need proper sleep but I again I will have to see how it goes.

[TheInvisibleManDidIt]

As you say, just give it a try and see if it suits you. Good luck!

[skramble]

Thanks Hopefully I will at least get an interveiw .