I have been a working mom, a WAHM (Working at Home Mom), a stay at home mom and now once again, a working mom.
Our days start early. I'm up at 6, wake the 15 yo at 6:15, his bus leaves at 7. I then go to work shortly before 8.
My son arrives home around 4 p.m. and I get home around 5:30. I get a half hour of downtime -- which is a cold drink and the last half hour of Dr. Phil. Then it's dinner, homework, the usual.
To everyone who has young kids who are starving by 5 -- I suggest a mini-snack for in the car. Some carrot sticks, celery sticks, a small bag of grapes. Something to make them less starved. I used to do that when my son was young. I also used to make dinners in advance -- still do -- to make dinners simpler and quicker. It's easy when making a meatloaf on a Sunday afternoon to just make 2 of them. One for today, one for next week (they freeze fine) Or I will make a turkey breast, homemade soup, etc. on a weekend day, with enough for twice.
I'm looking forward to the day when I don't need to get up with my son, but we are not there yet, even at 15. He's not a morning person and still needs me up to make sure he's up and moving. So I lose that extra hour of sleep.
Robin