How do yall do it?

[Unregistered]

I've just found out I'm pregnant a couple weeks ago and already im just beat. By 10:40 I'm counting the seconds till nap time, but the exhaustion doesn't stop their, it leaves me on empty so nothing gets done the rest of the day. The house is a mess and I've got no helpers my DH is no help. Says it's my job I need to do it but I'm just spent. So where do you who work while pregnant find the extra energy to do those dishes and sweep that floor and wipe that Table and take out those trash cans and vacuum and so on.. ?

Another question is I've recently considered doing more of a preschool type program and as much as I'd love to just sit with my baby all day, I kinda don't want him/her to be at the daycare because I'm afraid having an infant would interfere with my plans to keep my business scheduled and active for the older kids I'm doing the program with. Anyone been in a situation like this? Did you keep your baby home or send them to another DC. Sounds silly of me I know but watching infants isn't what I started my home program for, it was more for teaching.

[Thriftylady]

When I was PG with both my kids, I was exhausted the whole pregnancy. I worked full time with my daughter, and I swore I was dying for sleep. So I understand where you are coming from, but all I can say is you just somehow force yourself on and survive it. Talk to your doctor, they may be able to tell you what vitamins and such will help. Talk to your hubby and tell him you really need a little help. Give him specific things you need him to do, such as take the trash out. I sometimes get irritated when my DH is home (isn't often he is a truck driver) and he will say "you don't have to get mad just tell me what you need". I find it true he isn't very good at just saying "oh I could do this" but if I say "Would you please do that?" he is willing.

As far as having your little one at daycare, that is up to you. I would want my baby with me at least the first year, because you can't get that time back and it is very special time. My daughter was 2 when I first started daycare, and she was jealous. To her it was HER house, HER mommy, HER toys. Looking back at that point I should have sent her to another provider it would have made my days smoother and easier, and probably hers also.

Sorry I can't offer you more, but that is what I have from my experiences.

[mamamanda]

The only way i survived that first trimester and into the second was hiring a mother's helper. An older lady from my church was willing to come & help me 2-3 a few days a week. She did story time with the kids, watched them during my Dr appts, & did my laundry. She also vacuumed & did dishes sometimes. She was such a blessing. If its at all possible, look at hiring someone to help even if its just a few hours a week. Not having to worry about laundry was so helpful.

As for the baby, I did not want to leave mine which is why I'm doing daycare in the first place. That being said, my background is in education & I also LOVE the teaching part of this job. The first couple months he required extra attention for feedings & whatnot, especially since I nurse him, but we quickly fell into routine. We do a lot of free play while he's awake & I teach our curriculum during his nap times. We do circle time & craft time during his morning nap & I teach actual preschool to my non-nappers during afternoon nap. I will actually be teaching kindergarten to 2 of mine in the fall. Art, music, gross motor activities, bookmobile, free play, centers, all of that will be incorporated into our day together, but the actual academic instruction will take place during that 2-3 hour rest time block in the afternoon. Just remember its your program so you do what works for you. If having him elsewhere would be less stressful for you, then by all means look into that. I love having mine with me & I make the teaching aspect work for us. Best of luck in whatever you decide!

[Shell]

I had to cut back my hours from 730-6 to 8-5, and that helped.
Lay on the couch during nap time and try and relax a little.

When I was pregnant with ds and running the daycare, I had to tell myself it was ok to pull up a kitchen chair and sit back and let the kids play. I would even scroll through my phone, which was something I never did before. I still do it now, and I don't feel guilty anymore- it's ok to take it easy when you need to.

As far as housework, I can't let that go, no matter what. I have to have a clean house, so I would just force myself to do it. If you can get dh to help out like pp suggested, that would be a huge help. Pace yourself and take it slow!

I had my newborn ds with me- he just went along with circle time- I would just put him in a little bouncy seat. Your call, but I wanted my kids home- I don't think I could trust anyone else to care for him the way I could and want to.

Good luck!

[laundrymom]

Im one of this crazy individuals who have more energy when pregnant. Now, at 43 with four kids, a dog, husband, role in the ministry, part time unpublished author and nationally accredited family childcare provider... I'm absolutely spent by noon. Lol
But you can get through it. One minute at a time.