Working nights & being able to do school runs?

[HelloWorld2577]

Hello!

I am starting a new job for NHS next month & due to do 2 consecutive night shifts (7pm-7am) a week.

These will be weekdays where I will be having to get home around 7.30am & take the kids to school by 9am.

Is this doable? Has anyone done this? I would be able to nap 9:30-2.30, do you think this is enough or would it be best to put the kids into breakfast club/after school club so I have longer to sleep? Also how do you come out of nights back to normal life? And how do you eat during a night shift (I’m currently trying to lose weight!)? I’m just confused by it all it’s all new to me and I really want to make it work for my family!

Thank you!

It's doable, but be prepared to feel like a zombie! I do very similar a couple of times a week, then straight into bed as soon as the school runs over, sleep til about 2pm, then on it again.

My partner jokes about my night shift brain as by the second or third shift I feel my iq has dropped off a cliff. Last week I went out for the afternoon school run and not only forgot to lock the front door, I forgot to close it! Shit myself coming home an hour later to a wide open door.

Regarding food, I don't change my habits at all. So I'll have dinner at normal time 6pmish, then won't eat anything until breakfast with the kids. Small snack when I wake up, then dinner as normal. Some colleagues eat snacks all night, or have a midnight meal, but they are also mostly overweight. IMO, keeping your day shift eating schedule helps with the jetlag back to normal life.

Good luck!

Personally i would do after school club the two days following nights, I would be a zombie only having 5 hours sleep, its even worse that you would be up 2.30pm-9.30am.

Eating wise I have a meal before work, a meal around 1am and breakfast on my last break around 6.30am (im not overweight) oh and coffee but not after 3am

I would get after school club on the day between the nights if that’s affordable (even better, breakfast and after school club!)
I ate a dinner about 530/6, took a snack in with me but often I didn’t fancy it. Bit of breaks fast when I got in. Take a toothbrush and clean your teeth during your shift at some point, it just helps.

Day of first shift, up early, as much daylight/fresh air as poss, a nap if you can before pick up. Shower and wash hair before going in.
Day between, just SLEEP, get those kids in school as early and as late as possible. I showered after getting in as I had/have a mucky job. Another quick shower when you get up helps to just wake you up a bit. Eat, go in
Next day, I’d personally do breakfast club so I could get to bed quickly, but then I would try and get up about 1pm, light lunch and then try and get back to normal (I would generally need an early night tho!)

Nights are often great and actually quite fun, lovely sense of camaraderie and talking about your sleep routines and how many hours sleep you get takes up at least half the shift. Just beware of bloating and wind!! You’ll be farting all night. And weeing for at least the first two hours of your “sleep” time and your bladder hormones kick back in (or out possibly, I forget which).

Yeah get them into breakfast club both mornings unless the other parent can do the morning drop offs

On night 2 will you need to be making clinical decisions. If so I don't think 5 hrs sleep on your in between day will be enough.
I am really strict that on my in between day I get up and potter a bit, then back to sleep until the very last minute. I get about 7hrs that day.
After night 2 I get about 2 hrs in the morning then into bed anytime from 8pm. Usually good to go the next morning.
You need to be careful that taking a 'small snack' into work for break time doesn't slowly become a 4-course picnic. You start with a piece a fruit, which then becomes a sandwich and fruit, then you add some crisps etc. and so on. Those instant noodles are a bit culprit. Eat a decent meal before shift and have a light breakfast during, then no more till your (slightly late) lunchtime.
I do think you need something when the body hits its lowest ebb, about 4/4.30, a yoghurt or fruit.

I regularly only get 5 hours sleep a night and I function just fine!
I would use the after school club on the day in between though as that will give you the potential for a couple of hours more sleep//rest.

5 hours sleep a night is hugely different to five hours sleep a day.

Do before and after school club after the first night.

The first night will be the killer. Second night should be easier.

I've no experience of night shifts but do know about sleep deprivation. My child did a sport which required regular early morning training. It is possible to survive on 5 or 6 hours sleep, but it's only survival and does take it's toll on your physical and mental wellbeing. If you can afford it, I would use the wrap around child care.