working nights

[Norma]

Does anyone else here ever have to struggle to stay awake whilst working night shifts because they've also had to look after a toddler all day?
I'm dreading going to work tonight as I'm so shattered. It's not so bad when my night shifts fall on a weekday as he goes to a childminder but hell on sat and sun nights!
Have already reduced my hours following mat leave and do not have the option of dispensing with nights altogether so really just looking for some sympathy! Thanks.

Sorry Norma, I don't do nights but my husband does and obviously a lot of his work colleagues. Quite a few manage on a couple of hours of sleep a day to fit in with child care. I do get the "you've never had to work nights, you don't know what it's like" from dh. Can you send ds to friends/family for a couple of hours each weekend just to buy you some time? I really sympathise with you as I see how my dh is and he doesn't have to cut short his sleep.

I worked nights when children were young. You get used to being awake however it can take it's toll eventually. Do you have anyone who can help you out at the weekend? If you drive to/from work you may also be at risk of causing an accident - always a sobering thought. If you have no help with childcare at the weekend, could you negotiate not to work weekend nights for a while? Where do you work Norma?

Hi, have just woken up after a wonderful deep sleep! My mum took my son for the day and it was bliss not to be woken up by him. My mum helps out when she can but is busy running her own business so isnt always around.
Hopefully tonight I'll be wide awake and then tomorrow he goes to his childminder so I'll sleep all day again ready for tomorrow night.
You're right Mears about it taking it's toll.
Physically I feel a complete wreck when on nights and I'm sure it can't be doing me much good.
But it's a well paid nhs job and I can't afford to give it up so will keep coping. Unfortunately I am someone who needs a good 8 hours or get very grumpy!
Thanks Norma, I think men do often seem to cope better with nights than women.probably because we women always have so many other things to think about like cooking, housework etc on top of the guilt!

im startin nights tomorow form 7pm till 9am 3 nights a week so when i come home in the borning boyf goes to work and i have to look after dd who is only 2 and not at nursery yet so im going to be so tired but i hope i do thurs fri and sat nights every week then lest i han sleep on the weekends me too im very moody when i havent had enough sleep

Good luck Nikki, it's a killer! I hope your bf is supportive and able to give you TOTAL rest on Sat.
You'll need it.

your joking aint ya he wont let me sleep he gets sort of jelous or bored when its just him and dd

Oh dear! Will he respond to bribery? You know the sort of thing
Have you ever worked nights before?
If you are young you may well cope better than me. I am ancient and don't have the stamina anymore. Even if I were to use bribery I wouldn't be fit enough to see it through!
But luckily my Dh works nights too, so he knows the score.

I used to work 3 evenings then 2 at a law firm in London and started work at 5 and finished at 12. By the time I got home and into bed it was about 1. Did find it VERY hard to start off with especially as I had always worked days, but soon got used to it. Had to make myself have a rest/sleep in the day along with DD and somedays I felt really bad, other days loved it. Still miss working though and want to go back sometime but normal hours.