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Original poster

How to get everyone ready on time?

22 replies

LiloP · 09/07/2023 06:38

I have an interview next week that can’t be moved or scheduled to a later time. My DH is away and I have two DC.
DC2 is awake from 6am and can be at CM at 8.
DC1 is awake from 7am and can be at breakfast club from 7.45. School is 8 min drive plus parking etc and CM is 8min drive from school. Interview is 90min away and at 10am, I am taking train and tube.

my biggest issue is my hair which takes a long time to dry and straighten otherwise it will look frizzy.

Ok so I am thinking:
up at 6am, give DC2 breakfast and get ready for CM
7am ask DC1 to get dressed quickly and entertain DC2 in cot while I do my hair and make-up. Can’t have Dc2 around as will touch straighteners etc. leave at 7.35 for breakfast club, then CM then station. Change into my interview clothes at station, top up make1up on train.

it’s a very senior role and I need to look presentable. Seems tight for me to get showered and ready. Any other suggestions on how to plan out the morning? 😬😱 thanks

OP posts:
Pawpatrolsucks · 09/07/2023 06:40

Wash and straighten your hair the night before. Keep it dry in the shower and just go over it quickly with straighter.

Chewbaccaslime · 09/07/2023 06:45

Can you not blow dry and straighten your hair the night before? Then either tie it back or give it a quick once over with the straighteners in the morning?

I have never in my 40 odd years straightened my hair in the morning before work. Always done it the night before.

speluncean · 09/07/2023 06:45

Can you wash your hair the night before put your hair up for the interview?

buzzlightyearsgloves · 09/07/2023 06:47

Tbh I'd be less worried about my hair and more worried that it was a 90 minute commute and you can only leave your childminders at say 08.05 after dropping DC off. That's pushing it really close for an interview.

mathanxiety · 09/07/2023 07:06

Either wash your hair the night before or get up at 5:30 and at least have yourself showered before the DCs are up.

Good luck for your interview.

It's a pity that hair discrimination is still a thing.

goodkidsmaadhouse · 09/07/2023 07:49

Personally I’d do hair night before but also get up at 5.30 to be fully ready before kids.

Can you ask CM if you can drop 5 mins early as a one off just to bug you a tiny bit of extra time for the journey?

purplediscolove · 09/07/2023 07:52

Wouldn’t it make sense to atleast wash and dry your hair the night before or go to bed earlier and wake up an hour/half an hour earlier. Get everything ready night before all the clothes out bags packed apart from food and drinks etc

JosieOhNo · 09/07/2023 07:53

I would be up at 5ish to shower, and to do hair, make up and eat your own breakfast, get yourself kinda composed.

Kids up at their normal time, but everything on super speed so that you're literally waiting outside the door of childminders/breakfast club.

Does '90 minute commute' have any allowance for things running late, or if you were to miss one bit of the connection does it completely screw up the timings? This is the thing that would concern me the most with the timings!

JosieOhNo · 09/07/2023 07:56

And to PPs insistence on doing hair the night before, I really wish I could do that but while it would be clean, I have very weird kinks and things that seem to happen to my hair as I sleep! It's then impossible to tame with straighteners so easier and quicker to do in the morning.

Original poster
LiloP · 09/07/2023 07:57

I can’t do my hair the night before. It will look messy the next day. Don’t know why, maybe the way I sleep? It looks like a birds nest in the morning.

OP posts:
Original poster
LiloP · 09/07/2023 07:57

JosieOhNo · 09/07/2023 07:56

And to PPs insistence on doing hair the night before, I really wish I could do that but while it would be clean, I have very weird kinks and things that seem to happen to my hair as I sleep! It's then impossible to tame with straighteners so easier and quicker to do in the morning.

Same here! Absolutely impossible and would stress me out even more

OP posts:
Original poster
LiloP · 09/07/2023 07:58

@JosieOhNo dropping DC2 at 8am
and have 2 hours to get there for the interview. Regular trains and a short tube ride, and short walk from tube. Know the area well so not concerned about the commute.

OP posts:
Original poster
LiloP · 09/07/2023 08:02

buzzlightyearsgloves · 09/07/2023 06:47

Tbh I'd be less worried about my hair and more worried that it was a 90 minute commute and you can only leave your childminders at say 08.05 after dropping DC off. That's pushing it really close for an interview.

90mins is very generous, calculating all walking, parking, waiting for train etc. I should be there by 9.30 latest.

I can drive from CM to station in 15mins, then parking and take a train to London at 8.30. Arrives 9.05 then 3 stops on tube. if I miss the train, there is one every 10mins circa.

OP posts:
HurricanesHardlyEverHappen · 09/07/2023 08:03

I'd also get up at five to take the pressure off. Are you sure getting changed at the station is better than at home?

Grumpyfroghats · 09/07/2023 08:03

Not advice but just to reassure, I have interviewed a lot of people over the years and I have never once thought "wow, they are great and perfect for the role except for their frizzy hair so no"

I totally get that it's likely more about feeling confident in yourself but I really wouldn't worry about looking perfect.

Applerumbl · 09/07/2023 08:04

Am I missing something here? Get up earlier. Wake kids up earlier too.

Original poster
LiloP · 09/07/2023 08:07

@Applerumbl so helpful 🙄
the issue is Dc2 is a toddler, he is up early enough. I can’t do hair while they toddle around and will scream if left in cot and wake the other DC.

@HurricanesHardlyEverHappen I am worried about clothes getting crumbled or dirty. Or maybe I am overthinking it

OP posts:
Original poster
LiloP · 09/07/2023 08:08

@Grumpyfroghats thank you. This is very kind and encouraging. 🤗

OP posts:
Chewbaccaslime · 09/07/2023 09:17

I think in all honesty you need to work on finding a quick hair do just for life in general. Nevermind for your interview. My hair is naturally very curly. I can smooth it down in a quick pony tail with a paddle brush, spary of water and hair spray.

A bit like this. But no faffing about with a toothbrush at the end.
https://pin.it/7iLwZst

Pin by Lexi on Hair [Video] | Mixed curly hair, Curly hair styles, Hairdos for curly hair

Sep 6, 2021 - This Pin was discovered by Lexi. Discover (and save!) your own Pins on Pinterest

https://pin.it/7iLwZst

JosieOhNo · 09/07/2023 09:35

If only I could @Chewbaccaslime !

I can shove it up in a ponytail but will be left with lots of random sticky out bits that won't behave even if clipped into place. It's ok for WFH or just running to shops/school but def not a professional look.

Diddykong · 09/07/2023 09:39

Ask the childminder for a one off early drop and ask her to dress and feed the DC and take eldest to breakfast club.

Original poster
LiloP · 09/07/2023 09:40

Same here @JosieOhNo it’s fine for every day life and school run, but not interview ready in 5mins. This is a client facing role and big step up so want to look as professional as possible.

and before someone says how will you manage this if you get the job - normally my DH is home and I don’t have sole charge.

OP posts:
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