anyone a full time parent AND work evenings and weekends

[Monstermomi]

how do you cope?

I will be returning to work soon and will have 3 children under 4 to look after in the day (though dd1 will be going to preschool in the morning). I have a job where I can do the 15-20 hours work at night.

Looking after 3 is so tiring that, at the moment, when they go to sleep, I immediately kick off my shoes and relax. when I start work I won't be able to do this.

Childcare isn't an option since the salary won't cover childcare costs.

Does anyone else have a similar arrangement and does it work for you?

[ShinyAndNew]

How many nights will you be working and untill what time?

I used to work four nights a week, untill about 12/1am. I didn't cope. I was constantly ill and the house was a tip.

I now do two nights and three afternoons

I cope just fine. I don't dread going to work and it's easy enough to manage the house work.

I'd say anything more than three nights and later than midnight will be too much.

[Monstermomi]

I was thinking 8-11pm 3 nights a week, then make the rest up on the weekend when DH can babysit.

I can't do daytimes but might be able to squeeze in an hour at lunchtime.

i'm dreading going to work and wonder how/if I'll cope.

[dontrunwithscissors]

I do a fair amount of work on a weekend/night (although I work full time - I try to keep childcare hours to a minimum and make up time elsewhere.)

I hand DD over to my DH as soon as he walks through the door, and then work until 9pm (so 5.30-9pm), Monday -Thursday. I also do a full day on a Saturday. That makes a maximum of 22 hours per week. Admittedly I don't always do this, and I only have one child. (I'm a lecturer, so it tends to be term time only when it's very busy.) Looking after 4 does sound like a real challenge. Will you be able to do this work at home, or will you actually have to go out somewhere?

[Anifrangapani]

I work full time and then have the kid responsability while Dh works in the evening and at weekends. It is doable but house keeping is a bit slack and the kids (4&7 now but started when I when back to work when youngest was 6mo) are expected ro help out ( empty dishwasher, make own lunches, get own breakfast, keep rooms tidy etc). Homework is done while dinner is being cooked and I have an ironing lady.

Our house is not hugely tidy but they haven't died from the dirt yet.

[pandaiis]

I did it for a year, 4/5 nights a week 6-11pm, and found it hard to cope tbh.

I'm now at uni full-time, work two night shifts at weekends and find it so much easier. Poss because I have more help from my parents rather than just dp and I don't give a monkies about the state of the house anymore.

You'll find through experience what working arrangements suit you and your family.

[Monstermomi]

anifrang, at 'they haven't died from the dirt yet'.

pandalis, uni full time AND working 2 night shifts sounds even tougher than your 4/5 nights a week. glad you find it easier.

dontrunwithscissors, I will be working from home.

i'm looking at all my options.