Something we'll have to get used to

@dodo19 (47034)
Beaconsfield, Quebec
December 2, 2016 11:37am CST
My husband got a job and has recently started working. It is a contract, but hopefully, it'll become permanent. We'll have to see though. This job has him working night shifts. Midnight to about 7 in the morning. Considering he's more of a night person anyway, it's not a huge problem for him. However, it's still something we'll have to get used to. This is new for everyone. Mostly for him, as he's the one doing the work, but my kids and I have to adjust as well. I'm not used to sleeping without him at night. It does worry me a little, as I do worry about something happening. I didn't sleep too well without him, but something I'll have to get used to. We'll have to get used to waking up and him potentially being at work when we wake up. I know we'll get used to it. We'll get through it. If other families can do it, we can as well. We'll just have to adjust to it. Thankfully, we'll still have time to spend together, which is the important thing.
17 people like this
18 responses
@marlina (154183)
• Canada
2 Dec 16
Not easy to get used to it with children in the house.
2 people like this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
2 Dec 16
No, it's not. But I know we'll get through it. I get a little worried about something happening. It's just an adjustment period.
@sayitnow (424)
3 Dec 16
when i work night shift i had to get use to it as well. and getting sleep was hard at first but i was good. after the first week of working there.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
3 Dec 16
It's an adjustment for everyone who has to do it. Glad to hear that you got used to it.
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
4 Dec 16
@sayitnow I'm sorry to hear that. I hope that you were/are able to find something else.
@sayitnow (424)
3 Dec 16
@dodo19 I got lay off and that the real reason im not there.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
5 Dec 16
I'm sure you and the kids will find ways of making your time together even more precious.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
5 Dec 16
I'm sure we will too. We'll find a way to get used to it, and make our time more special.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
6 Dec 16
@valmnz Thanks. It's nice to catch up with you as well. It's nice to see you here. I hope we see more of you.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17100)
• New Zealand
5 Dec 16
@dodo19 nice to catch up with you again :-)
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
6 Dec 16
Have you gotten used to it by now? It must be so difficult to adjust, but at least it made lead to a more permanent job with better hours. Hugs to you.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
7 Dec 16
Actually, I think we're all adjusting pretty well. Last night, he worked and I had a decent night sleep. Better than the other nights we worked, which is good. Hopefully it does lead to a more permanent job with better hours.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
12 Dec 16
@DianneN thank you.
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
12 Dec 16
@dodo19 That is good to hear. I wish you all the best!
1 person likes this
@MissNikki (5237)
• Maple Ridge, British Columbia
3 Dec 16
I know how hard that can be - my partner used to work away from home for a week on and a week off and the weeks he was gone it was hard to get to sleep at night in an empty bed. It will get easier in time I found it felt safer if I slept with a large metal flashlight next to my bed and sometimes even a big pair of scizzors on the table beside me as a defense weapon - LoL. Never had to use it but I know what you mean about feeling nervous.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
3 Dec 16
@MissNikki I'm sure I will be fine with time. I just need to get used to it and be more confident with being alone with the kids at night. Thankfully, we do live in a fairly safe area.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
3 Dec 16
It's nice to hear from someone who has been in the same situation. I might just do the same as you. Maybe sleep with a flashlight and a golf club or something will make me feel a little better.
1 person likes this
@MissNikki (5237)
• Maple Ridge, British Columbia
3 Dec 16
@dodo19 You will be just fine and will probably come to notice that you gain more confidence in yourself from being 'on your own' during those times.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
3 Dec 16
You do get use to it if it becomes a long term thing but it doesn't mean that you will like it. It is hard sleeping alone and being alone with children at night. A job is a job though and you have to take what you can get.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
3 Dec 16
It's true that we won't always like it, but it is still really good paying work. I do get a little more worried being home alone at night with the kids, but such is the way it is. Sometimes, it's what you have to do. For the moment, it's what we have to do.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
5 Dec 16
@Happy2BeMe I'm glad I'm not the only one who worries when home alone with kids at night. But we have to do what we have to do. Such is life.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99426)
• Canada
5 Dec 16
@dodo19 Yes I know when my kids were little I stayed home alone because my x always worked night shift. It was what we had to do at the time and I did worry more being alone with the kids at night too.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (168439)
• United States
5 Dec 16
I am sure you will get used to it, maybe when he gets a bit of seniority he will be able to transfer to another shift.! At least he has a job!
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
6 Dec 16
I'm sure we'll get used to it. It is a job for the moment. Although it's only a contract. The contract ends in early January, and we're not sure how it's going to go after, but we're hoping he's able to get something. If he continues with this place, eventually he might get seniority, but it'll take a while, as there are a lot of employees. Either way, for the moment, it's work and it's a pay check.
@allen0187 (58447)
• Philippines
3 Dec 16
I used to work the night shift as well. Not fun at all. Working night shift ain't for everyone. Good that you can still spend time together.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58447)
• Philippines
4 Dec 16
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
3 Dec 16
It is true. Working night shifts isn't for everyone. I don't think it would be for me either. But it is nice we still get to see him.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Dec 16
Something new to get used to. I hope you make sure the doors and windows are locked too. Be safe.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
3 Dec 16
It is something to get used to. My husband and I always make sure our doors are locked and windows secure, when we go upstairs. I know he even locks the front door when he leaves. The doors and windows are locked, whether he's home at night or not.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Dec 16
@dodo19 .....That's good.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45125)
• Canada
7 Dec 16
My oldest daughter's husband is working for Bell, installing wireless systems in Toronto and only comes home on weekends but they also have had to adjust and get used to it. Life is such that we don't get what we want and we have to be satisfied if we can't change things. But at least they are working!
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
8 Dec 16
Yup, that is very true. It can be hard in these situations, but at least they're working and it's something. It's certainly better than nothing.
1 person likes this
• Valdosta, Georgia
2 Dec 16
It is hard at first but after a while it does become normal. My husband has worked that shift in the past. The thing I didn't like about it is it threw his internal clock off so much that he would sleep most of the next day so we really didn't see him much at all. I hope it isn't too bad for you though.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
3 Dec 16
Yeah, I'm sure it will change his internal clock a bit. It'll take some time to adjust, but we'll figure out some way for him to sleep and spend time with him.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48236)
• Canada
3 Dec 16
I'm glad that your hubby found work-and you are right, you will all adjust. The hardest adjustment we ever had to make was when my husband had to go back to 3 shift rotations at work, after about 25 years of working straight days. He faired really well on the night shift, I used to serve him a hot bowl of soup after he got home, and it would warm him up and he'd be able to sleep for 10 hours after having that. But like you, I didn't like sleeping alone.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
3 Dec 16
I'm sure he really appreciated you making a hot bowl of soup for him. It's nice to hear that he did well in the night shift. It's nice to hear stories like yours of people who have gone through the same.
1 person likes this
5 Dec 16
good luck with the adjusting. yes, many families have to work non-traditional hours and make it work. my best friend's husband recently went to working nights as well. before that, he was working 2nd shift. so she likes this better.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
5 Dec 16
I'm glad that your best friend's husband has hours that she likes better. We'll adjust fine, I'm sure. If other families can adjust to it, then so can we.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323748)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Dec 16
It will certainly change things for you but as you say you'll get used to it. It is good he has a job.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
3 Dec 16
It will definitely change things. At least he has work. We won't say no to that.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48855)
• United States
2 Dec 16
I hope that you adjust to the change soon. I also find it difficult sleeping when my husband isn't home.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
2 Dec 16
Thanks. I'm sure we'll adjust soon enough. I'm glad that I'm not the only one who finds it difficult to sleep when your spouse isn't home.
@IvySaysHi (4469)
• United States
2 Dec 16
My hubby worked evenings to night when he was at the pizza hut by us. But now he will be working early morning which will be a big change for him since he has to start waking up early in contrast to waking up at like 12pm from sleeping late. Hope you all adjust quickly
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
3 Dec 16
I'm sure it'll take time for your husband to adjust, just like it will for us. But we'll get there.
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (115621)
• United States
2 Dec 16
I sleep just fine without my husband. After all, I'm asleep.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
2 Dec 16
I'm glad to hear that you're able to sleep alright. I'm sure I'll be able to have been night of sleep, the more I get used to it.
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (53601)
2 Dec 16
Some people don't like sleeping alone, but you'll get used to it.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
2 Dec 16
Some people don't like it, and I don't mind it so much. It's just not something that I'm used to. I'm sure I'll get used to it.