work plus.............

United States
February 26, 2010 1:28am CST
I am currently working at a job where I leave home at 2 pm and get him at night about 2 am. Everynight! This is not something that is for 12 hour shift it is a regular supposed to be 8 hour workday that always ends up to be much more than that. I am not complaining but just need a few tips. I have three children a husband and I also go to college full time. I have a lot on my plate, on top of all that My eldest son is in Preschool and the only day that he has off is friday. So all through the week my son goes to school at 8 am and gets home at 2:30 and i leave at 2. I don't get to see him. By the time that I get home he's in bed along with my other 2 children. It's very hard trying to organize all my time so that I can do the work the school and the family. Therefore it leads me to my question/discussion. If anyone out there has a lot on their plate and can share with me some successful time management skills I would greatly appreciate it. I am just having a little bit of a rough time. Most of the time I'm running off about 3 or 4 hours of sleep and I am in early 20's and have to take tylenol arthritus because my body aches so bad. I think that a good time budgeting thing would greatly help me out so if there is anyone out there at all who could help please do so. Thanks so much in advance for all of your help.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@bucklord (349)
• United States
1 Mar 10
I can really feel for you. I used to be in the military, work a part-time job and care for my oldest for a few hours when she was an infant. I'm not sure what you do right now, but here are things that helped me. Anything I could set up before gong to work I would do. Whether that is laying out clothes for the following day to pre-packing your lunch. These first few things seem small, but are accomplished much quicker when you are fully awake. Secondly I would try to do what I call task grouping of errands. For instance yesterday I had four errands to do. I needed to do some banking so I picked a location at the supermarket. I then moved on to my second task which was grocery shopping. When I exited the supermarket I was able to take care of recycling since there are recycling stations at the rear of the supermarket. I then completed my fourth task which was to fill up with gas at the station directly across from the supermarket. What this did for me is it allowed me more free time on certain days. I also started the day looking at a picture of my daughter and reminding myself why I was going through all of this. As my oldest child grew up and I still had military commitments, we would write little notes to each other talking about each others day or things on our minds. My oldest was still fairly your but my wife helped her with these notes. I know I've written a book here, but I wanted to give you an answer you could use. I hope this helps you in some way.
• United States
2 Mar 10
WOW that is a wonderful idea! I really like that my husband is here with me and he says that we're going to start writing notes so that it will help me be with my family when I'm not here and then be with me. What a great example. You certainly had your hands full also, so it's nice to hear from someone who knows what we're going through. The task grouping for errands I think will be the most helpful because before i go to work if there is something that needs to be done most of the time it's running from one end of town to the other and then back again, maybe i could keep them all grouped to the quickest route back home to get ready and have a little more time with the kids, that is a great idea. I really appreciate your responce, it's really hard trying to find time to do everything and still have time for work and family life also, but tips like this make it much easier. Once again thank you very much!
@bucklord (349)
• United States
3 Mar 10
I'm glad I could help. It was a tough time to go through, but trust me it will all be worth it when you look back years from now. It made me a stronger person, a better father, and a better husband.
@miravu (100)
• United States
1 Mar 10
From the hours it sounds like you're a bartender or something of that sort in which case you're really between a rock and a hard place especially considering that you have a family and school going on at the same time. No matter how you do the math you still only have 12 hours outside of work everyday. That means if you get 6 hours sleep, you have 6 hours to bathe, eat, drive, study, in addition to doing everything that you need to do with your children. My best advice is to try to shave 2 hours off of your job each day, giving you 14 hours. With those 14 hours, schedule everything, from meals to study time, and force yourself to follow that schedule religiously. You probably won't be able to do this in the long-term but set a goal to get through the semester. I would really suggest rearranging the schedule as much as you can to make your family the priority. Life is so short - missing quality time with your kids to work at a job that at the end of the day is just a job is never worth it.
• United States
2 Mar 10
Thanks so much for the advice. But actually I am not a bartender although the hours would institute that outcome, I work at a plant that is litterly like 10 minutes away from home. It is actually a very fortunate job to have because apparently a lot of people can't get on there which makes me very blessed to have it. I really can't etch any time from the job, maybe from sleep but then I always tend on having to make it up or not being able to be woken up when it's time to get up. It seems as if there has to be some happy median where I can just work and then have my family life and somehow fit school in with it. It's been a little bit rough lately, but I know that eventually we'll get it worked out. I really do like your advice and you are very true that family is the top priority. Thanks so much for your responce.
• India
26 Feb 10
hey miss thats i believe you did a great job i realy appreciate it first thing i want you to tell yes there is lot of way to earn money throung online though but before you did that i warn you its i think waisting time earning money while stay at home its look sounds good but its not like the way it is you have work more hard here while working in full time work and college and taking care of your hubby and you childrens so think it twice but never loose hope i am sorry if i disappoint you every one here is looking for their downline which help them to increase their earning i hope you ll able to earn more than them may allah help you sister
• United States
27 Feb 10
Whoa where did that comment come from? Let's face it you are totally off mark. i am looking for time management skills and you are talking about earning on the internet. Hun Jesus has provided me with a great job that covers my bills, not allah. I am simply looking for time management skills to help with my day to day life, i'm not looking to earn more and work from home. I have already worked from home for about 2 years and I got fed up with it, I have been blessed with a great job, I am not looking to be at home, and simply need some tips apparently from other people about ways that they manage their work and family life. So if you don't have something to say about how good the Lord is or how we are even blessed to make a little extra money and a few simple moments together with family then you need another discussion.
• United States
28 Feb 10
that is a pretty long work shift to make some money. those hours are pretty odd also. i am sure it can be abit tough to work that kind of shift every day. sounds like an interesting job to work from 2pm till 2am.
• United States
1 Mar 10
Yea Sometimes it gets a little rough, but once your schedule adjusts to it, then it gets to be ok. Not perfect but i can live with it for now. It is a really good job, and not many people get that kind straight off the bat. It's just a little rough trying to fit the whole school thing and then family in the mix of it, but i'm sure i'll get the just of it in a week or two. Thank you very much for your responce.