how do you manage kids and work when you are solo?

Question

I'm a supervisor at a great company.My kids are under 9 years of age and I have three boys.I keep long hours 12+ a day.Please tell me how to make this work.

Answer 1

keep a maid at hme 2 tke care of thm, try 2 spend atleast 2 hrs or more with them, whenever possible

Answer 2

I am so sorry that you have to work hard to go through this life. While I don't want to be in your shoes right now, but the only thing I could think for you is, think positive.
1. You have a great job as supervisor at a great company. You already know how to plan things, and be the boss. Raising children sometime that what it all about. Guiding or telling them what to do.
2. It wouldn't last forever.
3. If you are not in the horrible place somewhere that you didn't have food or water then you are doing fine.
4. Think of someday one of your boys will be a doctor, one will be a lawyer and the other one will stay home to take care of you. Because your hard work it will pay off with rewarding at the end. Hang in there.

Answer 3

I juggled, a full time job, full time school and two little ones alone... it can be done with organization, planning and teamwork. The only thing that helped keep me on top of it all was to stay one step ahead, keep the ball rolling and ask for a little help along the way.

Plan: Cook a few casserole dinners on the weekend, use the crock pot or let the kids prepare homemade pizza (buy the crust!). Pack lunches at night, lay out clothes for the next day. have a schedule that gives each child spotlight night (he/she gets time with you), even nighttime book reading had to be arranged in my house.

Stay organized: Gear your home up so that everything has a place, you and your kids know where it is and everyone puts things back when they are done. You can "lose" minute looking for shoes, keys, homework...

Teamwork: everyone can "chip in", even 6 yr old has chores! She is responsible for emptying the small waste baskets through out the house into the main one prior to it being taken out. She puts every ones shoes in the shoe basket (this was a great idea to keep all the shoes in one location) and has several other small chores--you can't do it all and a few little things split up take a nice load off of you. I tell them mommy's need help too and assign chores, use a chart if you need to keep track of who's doing what.

Overall, single motherhood is a HUGE job-- if you don't stay ahead of the ball it will roll over you :)

Answer 4

I was a single parent for a while, working awkward hours. I had to get help from my mom or sister. They would take my son to daycare and I would try to pick him up as much as I could. You could get help form a nanny or family members since you work such long hours. I would make sure that I tuck him in at night, and have dinner with him when I could. I would also make sure I set aside time for him on the weekends so that he would not feel like I am away too much. With that said, just try to get help, and spend as much time with them until the situation gets better. Also the websites listed below, could probably give you more resources.

Answer 5

Wow thats a tough one because I have only one and find myself trying to balance a lot...props to you for sure!

I would say make sure that you move somewhere that you are close to family, or make sure that you have a good and trustworthy sitter.

Make a weekly schedule with those who are assiting you, and discuss it with your kids so that they know where they are going. Take advantage of After School programs, and perhaps trade sitting times with other parents. I know it may be the last thing you want to have more kids under your supervision on your day off, but its tit for tat, and people will know that you are making an effort to help yourself.

Just a question....is dad around? His family? That might be another option?

Answer 6

My mother is a single mom, and for awhile was raising 3 kids on her own. Now it's down to 2 since my brother has moved up and out. Eventually you get the swing of things and manage. If it all seems too much, try considering a Nanny.

Answer 7

One day at a time, and with help from your family, and friends.Not to mention finding ways to spoil yourself whenever you can. You work hard 24/7 , you deserve some me time once in a while. I'm a single mom too, and this was one of the hardest things for me to learn. The truth is, If you don't take care of yourself, you can't take care of anybody else.

Answer 8

Put your kids first....which you are not doing if you are working 12 hours days. You are not spending enough time with them and you are probably exhausted and not taking care of yourself on top of all that - which is not good for any of you.

I've been there. I was a single mom of three kids, working full time and taking classes. I enlisted the help of my family and friends so I could finish my degree and get a better job that paid well and was regular hours so that I was home with my kids as much as possible.

And it's the quality of the time you spend with your kids, not actually the quantity. Make sure you spend quality time with them and let them know you love them every day.

Answer 9

It takes a village...........ask friends and family for help this is a very understandable situation and most people are glad to help if you ask them. Or find friends of your kids who have stay at home moms and offer to pay them a bit to help with your kids after school and have the kids do homework together, that's what my aunt does with her daughter. Good luck, hope everything goes your way

Answer 10

Do you have a closet? Does a tree really make a sound when it falls in the woods?