Moms whose partners work evenings

DH will be working 3 evenings/week for the next few months. I will be ending my maternity leave at the start of April, and I also have to get dd to her cpse therapies twice weekly after work.

Any hints on how to handle a colicky newborn and a 3 year old for dinner, bedtime, etc. all alone, especially when I'm back at work?

Moms whose partners work evenings

oh man, i feel for you! it will not be easy, but you will make it through!

prepare meals ahead of time and have low expectations! oh and wine!

good luck :)

Re: Moms whose partners work evenings

I lived through this, though I wasn't always sure I would. Plan, plan, plan. Prep ahead whatever meals you can, so it's less work those days. Have quick, frozen go to meals available.
I will say that my 3 year old was very independent so that helped a lot.
Don't try to be a hero, don't worry about being perfect, just keep everyone safe and fed everyday. Good luck!

Moms whose partners work evenings

I feel your pain. I am home alone pretty much all week with the kids. DH travels.

Can you wear the colicky newborn? That helped here...we also had everthjng planned and laid out so all I had to do was execute.

Moms whose partners work evenings

This is me as well. I have found the best is planning ahead meals and do as much prep work at night when the kids went to sleep.

Re: Moms whose partners work evenings

Do you have parents or family nearby that can help? When DH is out of town, I literally pack up the kids and go to my parents who live close by. It's a total pain but I need the extra hands.

It's easiest now that she's little and still sleeping a lot. I would put the baby to sleep and then work on getting my older one to sleep. Although I haven't personally experienced it, I know the colic adds another level of difficulty.

Keep things as easy as possible. Quick and easy meals. Don't worry about cleaning and housework on those nights. You will get through it. Good luck!

Re: Moms whose partners work evenings

For 3 days a week, heat up leftovers & maybe order a pizza one day.

Get a bunch of TV programs ready for your toddler for when you need to do a task with the newborn.

Moms whose partners work evenings

I only have a toddler, no newborn but my DH works late 5 days a week and its TOUGH! I cook as much as possible on the weekends, and keep weeknight meals simple. We try to stick to our routine as much as possible so my toddler knows what to expect. If/When we have a newborn in addition to toddler I imagine myself doing a lot of baby wearing to keep my hands free for toddler stuff.

Moms whose partners work evenings

My DH works nights. Baby wearing is a life saver. Also don't have any expectations, it will be hectic at some point !

Moms whose partners work evenings

DH works every night - I'm always home with the boys alone. Dinner is quick (slow cooker, pasta, grilled chicken and packaged rice). My kids are 1 & 3, so now that they entertain themselves, I can spend a little more time cooking. When the little one was younger, I'd put him in a swing or bouncer to cook. I have about 3 hours between when I get home and they go to bed, which includes a 20 min bath and tons of bedtime stories. It's hard, but much more manageable with a routine.

Re: Moms whose partners work evenings

Honestly, you just figure it out the best you can and get through it.

My husband worked nights and I had a 3 1/2 year old and a newborn who was a refluxy, colicky mess. He would scream for 4 hours every night. It was tough.

I tried to keep everything normal for #1. Still read his books at night with his brother screamed. He just had to help me turn the pages, that's all. We also started movie nights. I wore the baby bjorn a lot around the house. You don't sit. you learn to get things done as quick as you can if you have a few quiet minutes. I would also put the baby bath tub in the big bath tub with my oldest and do both at the same time.

You just figure out a flow that works, as best as it possibly can. I also didn't do any big dinners. If the baby was taking a quick nap, i'd cook something then and then heat it up later for my son to eat. Otherwise, left overs. Easy things.

Re: Moms whose partners work evenings

What are you doing for childcare?

If you are getting a nanny, you could ask her to work extra. She could prep dinner.

Re: Moms whose partners work evenings

Posted by aliwnec10

Honestly, you just figure it out the best you can and get through it.

My husband worked nights and I had a 3 1/2 year old and a newborn who was a refluxy, colicky mess. He would scream for 4 hours every night. It was tough.

I tried to keep everything normal for #1. Still read his books at night with his brother screamed. He just had to help me turn the pages, that's all. We also started movie nights. I wore the baby bjorn a lot around the house. You don't sit. you learn to get things done as quick as you can if you have a few quiet minutes. I would also put the baby bath tub in the big bath tub with my oldest and do both at the same time.

You just figure out a flow that works, as best as it possibly can. I also didn't do any big dinners. If the baby was taking a quick nap, i'd cook something then and then heat it up later for my son to eat. Otherwise, left overs. Easy things.

Re: Moms whose partners work evenings

Posted by aliwnec10

Honestly, you just figure it out the best you can and get through it.

My husband worked nights and I had a 3 1/2 year old and a newborn who was a refluxy, colicky mess. He would scream for 4 hours every night. It was tough.

I tried to keep everything normal for #1. Still read his books at night with his brother screamed. He just had to help me turn the pages, that's all. We also started movie nights. I wore the baby bjorn a lot around the house. You don't sit. you learn to get things done as quick as you can if you have a few quiet minutes. I would also put the baby bath tub in the big bath tub with my oldest and do both at the same time.

You just figure out a flow that works, as best as it possibly can. I also didn't do any big dinners. If the baby was taking a quick nap, i'd cook something then and then heat it up later for my son to eat. Otherwise, left overs. Easy things.

Moms whose partners work evenings

I'm home for dinner every night with a 3yo, 2yo and colicky 1 month old who loves to scream at that time! I try to just do quick dinners for the kids. Something I can pop in the toaster oven and doesn't require much work. I wore the baby in a wrap thingy the other night so I could get dinner ready for the kids. Other nights I hold her or just put her down. A few minutes crying without me holding her is fine. Especially when she's crying when I hold her anyway!!

When she is calm I try to do as much as I can like get the kids in their pjs or give them a quick bath.

The thought of it is overwhelming but when you're in it you just do it!