Tips for returning to work...

[SnakePlisskensMum]

full-time, after 7 years!

Oh, yes. I'm scared. Excited too but partly because it's a full on, fulltime job. DC's aged 6 and 7 so in school but with good pre/after school clubs.
I'll get a cleaner and an ironer. Can you think of anything else you've learnt or any tips you can pass on to make the transition from SAHM to career woman a little less stressful please? I'm sure I'm not the only one thats been in this position

Supermarket online shopping with lists set up
Standard rotating menu system
Shared family diary (who has to be where when)
Agreed "codes" for you and DH - if the school ring, we will always answer it
Plan your week like your invading helping Afghanistan
Relax
Enjoy your DCs!

Good luck

Buy 5 sets of uniform, hang them up in wardrobe in sets & just pick out each day
Do Sch dinners if you can afford it so no morning panic
Or freeze sandwiches
Bulk cook at weekends - spag Bol etc
Do reading & homework at weekends if possible

Are your working hours regular? If not, then you need back up childcare if for any reason, you or your partner, if you have one, cannot pick up the children after their clubs.

Because I need to stay late some days, I found a live-in aupair who did the school run and picked them up from school or clubs straight home and did simpler homework with them at home a much better arrangement than me/dh having to drop them off and rush to pick them up. The aupair also looked after them at home if they were ill. The aupair also lets tradesmen in to do repairs and is there for parcels and simple errands.

Godsend.

Thank you, thank you. Great tips there. Neither DH or I will work regular hours (although I will be for about a month) so was going to look for an after school nanny but have realised that they are more difficult to find. Not sure we have space for an au pair
Do childminders tend to have set hours or will they work until you collect the DC's. I expect it depends on the individual so I've answered my own question.
Thanks again

Many childminders will have set hours, such as a finish time, as they want to spend time with their own children in the evening. You've answered your own question it's down to the individual childminder.