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Late 30-something, married with two kids struggling to find the balance between wife, mother, employee, runner and myself.
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    Wednesday, January 09, 2008

    New Schedule Is Amazing

    Since I am so far behind at work, W suggested that he take the kids to school / daycare and I go to work by 7 a.m. most mornings. It is day 4 of this new schedule and it is good. For the first time in our post-children lives, W has been responsible for taking both children to school on a regular basis rather than a once in a six-month timeframe basis. He knows what it is like to get two children clothes, teeth brushed, breakfast and a sippy cup of milk, backpacks, lunches, etc., into the car and to school in time to make it to work at a respectable hour.

    When I do it, I usually make it to work anywhere between 7:45 (rare, but it has happened) and 8:25, with the average time around 8:12 or so. I have been tracking his time by what time he drops J at daycare - it is 8:10. That means he is in the office at 8:20. HA! And that is with me putting N's lunch in his backpack, making sure there is a sippy cup of milk already in the refrigerator, all homework and correspondence in N's backpack, both children's clothes and coats set out, and N's toothbrush ready for him with toothpaste on it.

    I thought I would miss seeing the kids in the morning and I do, but I do not miss the stress of trying to get out the door with both of them.

    Now, tomorrow and Friday, W has to go to job sites, so I will be back on task, but it is working out well so far.

    The other positive is that W has been able to workout in the mornings. I am done by 6:15, I wake him and he works out for 30 min before he showers. I know it is something he has struggled to incorporate for the past several years and this may be the solution we both sought.

    I pick up the kids from school and I have noticed that I have more patience in the evenings. I wonder if that is a result of not having been tasked with the morning duty?

    5 Comments:

    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I am so so so jealous.

    The Man was laid off early last year and he took over main child duties until dinner. I found that the extra time changed my outlook into everything. He started working again in June. (Good financially) But I still miss my freedom.

    9:56 AM  
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    That's awesome that you have more patience at night! :-)

    9:58 AM  
    Blogger Builder Mama said...

    We started splitting duties instead of me doing it all - he handles the morning stuff including getting Monkey Man dressed and to school, and I take nighttime duty (pickup from school and bath/bed). I tell you what, it is so much better around here since we started doing that. I was too rushed in the mornings, he was too tired at night, and the swap has really helped the parenting morale around here.

    Good for you guys for trying it out! I hope you find something that works for both of you (but especially you, heh).

    7:00 PM  
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Awesome, T! I am so glad this is working out for you all. I know I love the days Allen takes the boys to school, even though I still do breakfast, lay out clothes and have backpacks ready... it just helps to not have to wrangle them to the car, drive them to school, maneuver the drop off circle, then back track to work.

    I hope you are getting caught up w/ work. I know you have been digging out of quite a hole. I also hope the new people are working out well.

    8:14 PM  
    Blogger Unknown said...

    So, in the past you did both? You are a saint. We have always split it. I think I would go screaming into the night if I had to do both on a regular basis. AND try to work fulltime.

    6:11 AM  

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