All Communities > Moms Who Are Working Nurses > Managing work and 4 kids!

Managing work and 4 kids!

Valerie - posted on 11/16/2008 ( 2 moms have responded )

I just became a manager in June and I have 4 children. They are 10, 9, 5, and 3! I am now working 50-60 hours per week and getting paid for 40. I love my job, and my kids, but my husband is having a hard time adjusting the schedule! I have been a PRN nurse for the last 5 years and only worked for 3 years before that full time (3 12's). Needless to say, I am gone ALOT more now! My 2 middle girls are in competition cheerleading, and that takes up 2 nights a week and atleast 1 weekend a month. One of those daughters plays basketball for school too, as well as my son. My husband hates the fact that someone else is always getting our kids where they need to go. By someone else, I mean grandparents. My mom lives 30 minutes away and comes out one day a week. His mom lives five minutes away and comes 1 day a week too, although she is not happy about it! I am at a loss on what to do. My husband also hates the girls being in Cheer, because he says that it is "slut school" ! They are 9 and 5! They love going. Dad seems to think the answer is to pull them out of cheer because it is expensive and takes too much time. The girls would be crushed, but it is expensive and does take time. I am looking for a solution that we can both live with. If there are any, please do tell.

Join Circle of Moms

2 Comments

View replies by

Sarah - posted on 03/05/2009

I also have 4 kids. 13,9,8,3. We are constantly on the go. My oldest is the only boy in the family. and my 9 year old is a step daughter, so we don't have much say on what activities she does. I work 4 1/2 days a week and my husband works a weekend shift so that we don't have to worry about child care and getting the kids to and from school during the week. The past 2 years we have pretty much limited all activity. My 13 year old and my 8 year old are only allowed to do one activity a school year. my son plays basketball and my daughter plays soccer. One starts in the fall the other in the summer. SO, that way we have one activity at a time. WHich gives more time for everyone in the family. THe rest of the week they attend church activities on sundays and on wednesdays. It doesn't cost as much and it gives everyone the time they need and enables them to still do something they enjoy. Maybe drop the competition part of the cheer///// been there, know that takes alot of extra time. Try regular cheer or even dancing. My daughters had a ball when they were in dance, and it was only one night a week and my daughter and step daughter did it on the same night. so nobody was ever left out. Hope that helps a little. You are definately not alone.

Kathy Jo - posted on 01/29/2009

We all want it all, but can we really have it all? Can we really give 100% of ourselves in so many places? If you are a Christian, I would ask God to show me what He would have me do. If you aren't, I can tell you that my faith brings me the answers I need (even if they aren't what I think they should be). You have to take a long hard look at what is MOST important to you. If you can afford to work prn again and be the one to take your kids to the activites/be there for your husband, that may be the answer. Jobs will always be there, but your kids will only be small for so long. I have 4 children also and have worked partime since the birth of my 2nd (ages 10/8/4/2). I have been offered management positions/full time positions, but my kids and husband need me.

There is plently of time for full time jobs later! Hope that helps a little.