Aibu to think that working separate shifts to save on child care is really very hard?

[Caff2]

I am working 9 until 4 and then 5 until midnight Saturday and Friday this week and Sunday 10 am til 11 pm with two hours off. Then Wednesday night 5 to midnight again.

Aibu to think that, although this means we can make some much needed money, these shifts are pretty tough?

That's right, we're doing opposite to avoid child care as money is tight. I'm struggling to wind down and sleep, he dr late night posting!

Hence, not he dr!

Today I did 10 until 3 and then 5 until eleven. I'm knackered, but can't sleep!

Yanbu. But it's not forever.

It is hard, very, very hard; at one point when my dc were young I had 8 p/t jobs, and as a consequence had not had a single "day off" in over 18 months, let alone a "holiday".

But we got though it, working as a team. Is your dp pulling his weight?

Yeah, he does absolutely pull his weight, I'm just finding it hard to wind down tonight, especially as we also have had ds1's birthday sleep over tonight.

Yuk! Doable short term but long-term...

We'll, ds2 is 2 so I think another couple of years of this.

Well, not we'll, stupid iPad!

Shit. It's rough. You need to really take care of yourself. I used to do night-shifts... As little caffeine as is possible. Lots of water. Exercise even if you really don't want to. Eat good food not shit. Try to learn or practice some breathing/yoga/whatever. Be honest about how much else you can do. Good sleep hygiene.

You'll still feel like shit but might survive.

Thank you for advice - suddenly feeling sleepy, thank God, so going to close my eyes and hopefully get a few hours dreaming in! X

I couldn't do it. I work 8-3 and stop being able to concentrate around 2pm.

But, if you have no other options, you have to get on with it. Horrible though.

Its doable but tiring. Dh works nights including every weekend and I was ft Mon to Fri when dd was little (no family to help out and dh on shift so chilcare not possible). We saw each other 2 eves a week, he would be in bed when i left for work and when I got home would hand dd over and shoot off to work. Can't tell you what a relief it was when dd got to 12/13 and I didn't need to rush break the speed limit to get home from work. You just have to be very very organised and try and remember it won't be forever. Irony is now dd is grown I am in the fortunate position to do a 3 day week.

Really really hard. I worked night shift when ds1 & 2 were little (went back when they were 14 weeks) so no childcare to pay but no sleep either. I do wonder if the stress of that time has had an impact on my health today and I remember very little of the boys being babies. Only do it if you have no other choice.

It is very hard on you :(

Sadly lots of people have to do it though and it's not a new thing - my parents did it when I was little - though my Mum 'only' worked 'evenings' not mixed shifts, which was probably a little bit easier than what you are doing.

Do you need the money to pay the bills & eat or is it to 'improve' your lifestyle? If it's not 'essential' I'd cut back a bit if you can - it's all very well to do things to 'get ahead' but not at the cost of your health/sanity.