I work three days a week in a relatively high pressure job. Days are hectic, with the children, animals, general household stuff, legging it around getting everyone to where they need to be on time, with everything they need! However, despite the chaos and stress, some days, once I get to work and have a quick five minutes with a nice hot coffee at my nice clean desk and think ‘phew’!!
I think the problem is that I still try and do some work on my ‘days off’ (I hate that phrase…how is it a day off looking after two U4s?!). My job isn’t a 9-5 so clients will still contact me with something that needs an ‘urgent’ response. I know need to be stricter, and that things can wait till I’m back in the office……I should just stick my ‘out of office’ on, but I also feel this sense of responsibility to work, perhaps as I feel like I need to prove myself, as if its some kind of weakness to work part-time. So I think this is something that I have created myself, rather than something that work have imposed on me. As such I struggle with the contrast between the days, and to switch off completely.
I thought working three days and having days at home with my children would be idyllic, but the reality is just so different. I also end up doing the bulk of the household chores on my at home days as it has all built up whilst we’re both at work.
I find myself enjoying my work days more, and I feel so guilty about it! I almost feel envious when I hear my husband driving off in the morning, then there’s that sinking feeling when I hear my oldest padding around the floor at 6am…thinking of the long day ahead with playgroups, parks, crafting, tantrums, nappies, the constant demands….ok I’m going to say it… as much as I completely and utterly love my children, I think I find being a mummy just a little bit boring…. How bad does that sound?!! What a bad mummy.
AIBU?
to not enjoy my 'days off' with my kids?!
lightsussex · 22/09/2016 08:55
I hate being at home my daughter said to me this morning I love you being at home we have such fun
My child loves it too. I think that's why I feel so guilty 
I'm a SAHM and I have that same "phew" feeling when they go into class. 6.5 hours to myself. They hate each other and seem to be unable to hear me when they're tired, which they are constantly during term time. 
I seem to have the worst of both worlds.... I "only" work 3 days a week, but I work 13.5 hour shifts. I have a fixed day off in the week meaning quite often I'm looking after an energetic toddler after 2 long shifts back to back. All I want to do on that day off is sleep but I can't. I also find it boring, child wants to do same activities every week in the same order.
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I'm at home with two under 4 and my coping strategy is to keep them busy, but not over scheduled. I want them to be distracted enough not to fight constantly, but not over tired. If I need to do some cleaning they help. The best tip my mum gave me was that chair legs need to be dusted very thoroughly very regularly 
. It works with my two, and I seem to remember it worked with me as a kid. In the time they spend getting them shiny I can whizz round with the vacuum etc.
If the weather is good get outside and stay out for as long as possible. Garden, park, forest, take a picnic, a ball, and something to sit on.
Personally I avoid toddler groups and scheduled activities. They are boring in the extreme, and the pressure to get there on time if one is having a tantrum is pressure I don't need.
As for work, out of office on, urgent calls only, and if you want to check email have a set time when you plan to do so. Multi tasking isn't efficient and all that happens is lots of jobs get done badly, as none have your full focus.
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