So nervous about returning to work - how to do everything

[Bluebindays]

After a few years as a SAHM I've found a job that I'm really excited about.

I'm getting nervous about how to do everything.

Any tips on:

• cooking
• cleaning
• the dog! (I'll be out of the house 7 hours)
• grocery shopping

I'm so nervous I'm thinking now of pulling out, although I do think I'd enjoy the actual work. Thanks - would appreciate any advice.

First task is to get a dog walker

Definitely dog walker, meal prep for cooking and maybe plan quick easy meals for your first couple of weeks. Cleaning, lower your standards

Lower your standards.
Meal plan and batch cook and if you can afford a non aldi/Lidl shop, online shopping. Top up over the week.
Prioritise. You will not be able to do as much housework as before - this is ok.
Share the load with all the people in your house. Even my 3 year old can do some minor chores.

Good luck! And don’t back out. But it will be a huge change for your dog so get that sorted soon.

Dog walker
DH to do all kids sick days for the first 6 months
House will get less messy if you are all out. But everyone should be pitching in. Start allocating jobs now. My DC rotate between putting dishes away, setting table and folding laundry. They are also responsible for their own rooms.

5 minute tidy. Everyone helps for 5 minutes cleaning up in kitchen/ lounge. Set a timer. Amazing how much you can get done. Use it when you are expecting visitors etc

Food - meal plan. Make a list of meals and divide into week night easy meals and weekend meals. Always have something quick and easy in the freezer for emergencies. Remember scrambled eggs with salad is quick healthy and perfectly acceptable as dinner. Some people like to do a bulk cook for the week on Sunday. I don’t do that but do make at least one midweek meal on Sunday.

What jobs will DH do?? He needs to step up. You should not continue to do it all. Work that out now.

If you take public transport use that time to do life admin. If you walk use that time to stay in touch with friends and family I chat to my dad every morning on my 15 min walk.
Shared calendar so everyone knows what is coming up.

Online shopping. Spare bread in freezer and long life milk in cupboard for emergencies.
Work out a laundry plan that works for you. As long as everyone is fed and has clean clothes, the rest can wait.
Hope you enjoy the job

No idea but I'm in a similar position and very worried about how it will all work.

I'm mainly worried about preschool drop offs and pick ups, and how to get dinner on the table before 6pm.

BUT then I remind myself that people do it all the time.

I often wonder how single parents do it, that must be ridiculously hard but somehow they do. So we can do this :)