Are working moms stretched too thin?

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Are working moms stretched too thin?
1078
Tue, 06-13-2006 - 2:45pm

Do you think a mom who works full-time and has kids is stretched too thin?

I was working full-time up till November of 2005. Then I decided that it was all too much. I was exhausted and found that when I did get to spend time with my little guy (he is now 2 1/2) I was very impatient with him because I was soo tired. Also the stress of work often overflowed into my personal life (both with ds and dh).

Now that I have been home for over 6 months, I am finally starting to be more patient and am enjoying my son instead of rushing him along. If he want to take 20 minutes to get into the car - ok, no problem.

So - do you think that trying to juggle work, kids, marriage and all the stresses that come with those things is too much? (I did)

Maybe when my son is older - then I will go back to work and it might be easier because he will be more self-sufficient? Who knows? All I know is that for now, I am enjoying being a SAHM and am glad for the time I get to devote to my son and the lower stress levels (that I believe were very unhealthy for me).

josee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Fri, 06-16-2006 - 5:40pm

"So I don't agree with you that a 2-yr-old isn't capable of understanding that her actions have consequences."

Do you think it depends on the 2 year-old? Or, do you think all 2 year olds are capable of understanding that his/her actions have consequences?

I think you are both right - depends on the action/consequence and depends on the 2 year old.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Fri, 06-16-2006 - 5:41pm

That's great and I am really starting to understand your point of view.


PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Fri, 06-16-2006 - 5:43pm

I like it.


PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Fri, 06-16-2006 - 5:44pm
You know - I have been keeping in touch. Most of the people I worked with were friends, and so it makes it easy to stay in touch. I think its good advice.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-2003
Fri, 06-16-2006 - 5:44pm
All *I* know is that MY 2yos are/were not capable of understanding action/consequence unless they were immediate or in the same time frame. It has taken repetition of the same action/consequence (but not more severe consequence each time) to get the important ones to sink in, like don't run into the street, hold mommy's hand when we are out, etc.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Fri, 06-16-2006 - 5:47pm
Good and when I said earlier that you know how to keep a discussion lively - that was a total compliment. I was not being sarcastic. I mean it! Keep us on our toes (LOL). Make us think.
Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 06-16-2006 - 5:48pm
Honestly, I don't think it's beyond the ability of most 2-yr-olds to understand that they don't get to go to the park this time because they misbehaved the last time you went. Then you give them another chance in a day or two. It's not something that drags on for several weeks or months as some have implied. I would give the child a couple of freebies, where we just left the park because she was acting up, but if that didn't work, I would try something more.
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Fri, 06-16-2006 - 5:53pm

Understood.

The reason I asked is because I have 2 friends (playdate moms) that have kids the same age as my son. And when they were all 2 (now are 2.5 years old) - I could see a big difference between how they all understood action/consequence. My son is really good with that, and was from an early age. But my friends son is taking longer with understanding action/consequence...he still tries to run out into traffic. My friend finds it so frustrating and asks me what I did for my son to be so understanding of consequences....and I don't really know what I did! maybe its different personalities (the kids, the moms - not sure)???

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Fri, 06-16-2006 - 5:59pm

You really don't think that some 2 year olds understand action/consequence earlier then others? I know my son understood at an early age, but I have friends whose kids just don't seem to "get it".

Do you thinks its because of that particular 2 year old? Or the way they are being brought up? Or something else?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-2003
Fri, 06-16-2006 - 6:01pm
Frankly, the best way I have been able to keep my 2yo from running off is having her hold her brother's hand instead of mine. She doesn't try to get away from him.

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