[nancynic]

Breakfast time and bedtime can be full of stress for working parents. Getting up, getting kids ready and getting to work on time (in a calm and loving way) is a real challenge.

And then, picking up the kids, preparing and eating dinner and bedtime can be challenging as well. The kids have spent a long day at child care, school and sometimes an after school program (or combination); and you have spent a long day at work ...

Some people say it's important to have dinner at a routine time each evening.
Some people say it's important for kids to be in bed at a certain time each evening.
How do you manage this juggling act?
What is important to you when putting kids to bed? the timing? an atmosphere of warmth? getting in a nutrious meal, a bath and a bedtime story?

Let us know of your struggles and ways of working with bedtime.
Thanks!

Nancy

[twofor]

We adopted two wonderful kids last spring they're now 6 &8 years. I returned to full time work this past august and they went off to the school house and aftercare program.
Prior to being a Mom, I spent over 10 years as a early childhood specialist. That being said...It is harder than it looks.

We live and die by routines. Having the routine allows me to "relax" and not think about what happens next. However, my son hates mornings, and won't leave his bed to eat. My daughter has drama over her wardrobe in the am. We have 1 bathroom!
So for me the mornings are the worst.
Evenings, go by in a flash. The crockpot has saved me many days. Dinner is already when we arrive home. I figure we have 3 hours to have dinner, do homework, baths & have some family time. Now keep in mind that Monday is therapy, Wednesday is soccor practice, Saturday is dance class, and at least a couple of times a month there are school functions to attend...

I am seriously considering pulling back to part time work. I just cannot do it all in the manner that I wish to. I believe in all of us eating dinner at the dinner table. It is the only meal during the week we all eat as a family. I resent doing 12 loads of laundry on a Saturday & spending the rest of the day in the grocery store, because there is no time for this during the week. Not to mention that I am exhausted by the time the weekend rolls around.

I'd love to hear how others cope. I truely believe women can have it all , we just can't have it all at the same time.

Thanks

[kysila]

I have a 6 year old and a 9 month old. I have always worked since having children, because I had to and because I wanted to. I have not really had a problem with mornings or evenings. I am lucky enough to have a great husband who gets up and helps. He gets the 6 year old up and get his breakfast, I get the 9 month old up and feed him breakfast while my husband gets dressed for work. My husband takes the 9 month old to day care and I get dressed for work and take the 6 year old to school. That's our morning. . .pretty much every morning.

Evenings, we kind of follow the kids lead. The 6 year old knows that the 9 month old gets fed first. So as soon as we get home, we feed, bathe, play, and put the baby to bed. He is in bed by 6:00/6:30 and sleeps through the night!!! (that's a wonderful thing!!) Then I get dinner ready and my oldest eats, plays, showers, and goes to bed. Pretty routine, unless we have soccer practice. Then the baby's schedule sometimes changes. Weekends are different too.

Laundry is usually done on the weekends. . .I usually have anywhere from 9-12 loads. . .I try and start that on Thursday or Friday evenings and then we just do loads throughout the weekend and usually Sunday evenings we fold all of it and put it up. I have to say that there is no way I could survive without my husband though. He does a LOT of the work.

[nancynic]

Hi,

It helps to be organized! I love crock pots ... isn't it fantastic to come home in the evening to a meal that is all cooked, and when you open the door you can appreciate the aroma of a home cooked meal!

It also helps to work as a team with a great husband ... that also sets the tone for the family to work as a team ... including the kids, as they get older and can help out with all the chores a family needs to keep things going.

Thanks for your posts!

Nancy