To ask for tips on working FT and having a family?

[Lovestosing]

For the last 15 years I have worked part time in various roles whilst I had my DC. It was easier because it meant I didn’t have to pay for childcare once they started primary and as DH worked away so often it meant we didn’t have to worry about who was going to do school runs, after school clubs, etc. My youngest is starting secondary school in September and I have just accepted a full time role. I realise this is going to be harder for me and the housework and cooking will have to be shared more but I can’t help feeling worried that I won’t be able to organise myself and everything will fall apart. Could anyone talk me round and reassure me that it is possible to manage DC, a job and the housework?

It's perfectly doable. Many people do it and without a second adult! Your youngest child is old enough to fend for themselves to a certain degree

You will adjust to the pace. Be organised, online food shop, meal plan etc.

Be organised, delegate and lower your standards!

Get a cleaner if possible... Spend down time on more fun stuff.
But with 2 adults, kids who can get to and from school independently etc... You'll be fine

Online shopping, meal planning and ideally get a cleaner. Get everyone used to organising themselves; at secondary school they’re perfectly able to do that.
A really detailed calendar helps me keep on top of stuff and I also try to get jobs done before Sunday afternoon so I have that time just to spend time with DC, watch a film etc.
For the first few weekends you’re back try not to plan too much as you’ll be tired

I've been full time since I returned from mat leave. DS is 7 now - about to start Y3. DH is more or less a SAHD since DS started school. I am still full time -teacher with leadership responsibilities so a demanding job.

Some things I find help:

Organise a shopping home delivery or click and collect -saves using the weekend to shop.

I organise all DS school clothes and my work clothes for the week ahead on a Sunday to avoid rushing in the week.

Your DC can organise their own bags but we make sure they are ready the night before and by the door for morning.

Don't try to cook complicated meals every night - things like soup and sandwiches or simple baked fish/veg/potatoes are fine.

I make a calendar for the half term showing any times that I am working late e.g. parents eve, DS activities etc. Keeps us organised!

It may be hard at first but you'll get in the swing of it pretty quickly.

Will be fine IF your DH does much more parenting/domestic work than he has to date.

I only do part time but I have to manage whirlwind DS for 10 hours on my days off so have no time for anything that's useful to running the household.

Definitely lower your standards. If you're a daily hooverer and bathroom cleaner now, you will not have time. Do it weekly. Delegate things like stripping beds to each child. And yes, at least a vague meal plan!

Of course it's manageable, many many families do it.

Get organised now. Make routines for the kids every day. Meal plan, outsource if you can afford it, keep weekends free for the first few weeks. Clear weekends will give you chance to 'catch up' and get ahead for the coming week.

DH and I manage with me FT teaching and him 4 days 9-530 and 2 under 5. We have no out sourced domestic as we can't afford it. We get by!

We both work full time in full on jobs with a teen, toddler and one on the way.

Your kids are now all old enough to organise their own lunches and breakfasts and wash up after themselves. I buy loads of frozen fruit and bananas and DD makes a big smoothie for us all each morning and washes up the blender.

An easy meal plan - stir fries etc are your friend! Also ditto getting shopping delivered (I organise mine from work usually!)

Clear delineation of responsibility between the two of you. If kids need picking up in the middle of the day because they’re sick or otherwise, make sure you have an agreement e.g. taking turns, so no stressful negotiations when these things happen and you don’t always get landed with it and look flaky.

And just outsourcing. A cleaner, gardening help, whatever alleviates stress!!

Bag up laundry once a week and use a service wash.

I started doing this originally because my washing machine packed up. I couldn't believe the difference it made. 15 years later still use a service wash. Life changing.

Thank you for all the advice, you have really given me some helpful suggestions. I’m just anxious about loosening the reins after so long!