Does anyone have any ideas for working mothers so we can spend more time with the family?

Ginger - posted on 11/22/2009

anything u do with your children--including chores--is quality family time. give them responsibilities they can feel proud of which will take some of the stress off you. when i was 6 my parents taught me to make sweet cornbread and fudge:) those were my things to cook. my sister did biscuits and custard. we did the dishes and swept the kitchen and then we could go play. i still remember my little pink broom. my nana taught me how to make my bed---more good memories. so just involve everyone in what needs doing and have a wonderful time together

Amanda - posted on 11/10/2009

go to ceomom.com

Its another mom blog site BUT it provides amazing resources and support for all moms. I highly recommend it.

Jen - posted on 11/10/2009

A great treat I think a mother can give herself is a housecleaning lady. I worked for many middle income families who managed to find the funds because they felt it was so integral to having their sanity. You might be able to shop around and find a decent priced person. Even if it was only twice a month. Also what might be helpful is to bake and cook a bunch of meals one day a month and then freeze them. Get your kids to help out with that. And settle for less, your kids will love you and accept you no matter what. Good luck to you.

Sarah - posted on 11/10/2009

I'm a single mother, who works full-time. So of the things I do with my daughter for family time- we read books now she reads to me too, play board games at least once a week, puzzles and coloring, she helps make dinner, baking, just going for a drive and talking, go bowling or some other activity. I will not work weekends or nights because my daughter is in school all day and I'm the only parent left that she has. But no matter what you do together, its about quality time.

Ruth - posted on 11/10/2009

Just regarding some of the other posts I would be a little critical of some of the working from home options often less reliable and less security and usually less money. Reducing hours at work might be an option particularly when tax etc considered take home pay may not be hugely different. If like me you do work full time I find online grocery shopping, planning meals a week ahead, employing a cleaner for 2hrs a week, start using a slow cooker and prepare the veg etc night before can help. Seriously if you can outsource any of the day to day stuff e.g. send out the ironing etc. it's a help, and get the kids involved with the rest. I have lowered my standards of house tidyness and try to do something nice on Sat & Sun e.g. go to park, shops, for a walk, bikes, beach etc doesn't have to cost any money. Kids seem to like 'helping' with cooking. It's very difficult to balance family & work I don't think anyone has it down perfect. Some weeks are better than others.

Faith - posted on 11/09/2009

Is it reasonable to consider a home based business? a lot of people are taking this route.
It is possible to find one that will let you work your own hours at your own pace. It is for work, but it's doable for those who are willing to set aside time to do it.

Kelly - posted on 11/09/2009

I used to work full-time, but now I only work one day a week, so maybe my advice isn't as good for you. But I would try getting them involved in helping you. I don't know what ages your kids are, but even little ones can help with things like laundry and dishes (I mean, standing beside you "helping", not actually doing it alone of course). They can bring you trash cans to empty, etc. If you are talking to them, telling them how much you appreciate their help, it means a lot to them. Also a good time to talk about their day if they are bigger. The house doesn't have to be perfect, and eating off of paper plates to cut down on the dishwashing is perfectly acceptable! We also do things like helping one with homework in the bathroom while I have a younger one in the bathtub. I also find that having a schedule for chores helps. For instance, I only do laundry on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I refuse to even think about it any other days. Maybe you could get by with doing it only twice or even once a week. I volunteer at school on Mondays, clean my mother's house every other Tuesday, clean my house on Wednesdays, I work on Thursdays, and then Fridays are relaxed, except for laundry, because the house is in order. Of course with you working full-time it will be different, but maybe you can come up with a routine that works for your family, and gives you designated times to relax and not have to worry about something you feel like you "should be doing". I think that is always a tough thing for moms! Good luck!

Julie - posted on 11/09/2009

I'm not sure what you do for work. Have you tried odesk.com. It is a really reliable work from home site. They offer anything from computer programing to writing to office assistanct work etc. It may allow you to be home more.

Jana - posted on 11/09/2009

I always had to help with homework while I made dinner, then we'd do bath and have reading time where they'd read to me or I'd read to them depending on the ages. No TV or video games on school nights, and I always waited to do laundry until they were in bed or the older ones were in showers or bath, then I'd pick one chore I could do a day to keep up with the house, basic picking up, dusting, sweeping and scrubbing floors, garbage etc. Saturday morning was our big cleaning day. Not easy, but I found putting the kids first and the house second worked better in the long run. My children still remember those nights together and I found you will always have a house to clean, but children grow up quickly! Some times you have to let the unimportant things go. (That was the hardest part for me to learn.) Good luck!

Sharon - posted on 11/09/2009

If the kids are old enough - get them to do the cleaning. Find a neighbor who wants a few bucks and get them to do the laundry.



Make what time you do have COUNT.



Every friday night is family movie night. It was supposed to be "family night" but hubby won't play board games. the butthead. Thursday its a one pan dinner and paper plates so there is nothing to do on friday.



When I was working we did a family roadtrip once a month. Local sites. local lake, rumored mastadon fossil site (its true!!), local bird sanctuary, local pick it yourself farm, stuff like that. Mostly it costs gas.



Heck with hubby working it doesn't feel like we do much either. But the family movie night and the road trip help a lot.