working mom blues

[Mbrown602]

I went back to work last month part - time under fmla and now this week I've had to go back full time. It's been rough so far. I work as a customer service rep on the phone for a dental insurance company and we get one call after another during the day. I get a lot of nasty people on the phone I deal with and it's very stressful. My employer expects a lot from us -- while we're taking these back to back calls we're also suppose to be adjusting claims.

I am so worn out from working and taking care of the baby by myself every night after work (my husband works nights). I was wondering if any one else on here is working right now? I would like to look into work from home jobs that are flexible, not a set full time schedule like this one.

[fbsurvivor]

It is very hard to go back to work and right now the economy is tough.  Right after I returned there were a bunch of layoffs and then they decided that we needed to do more work in less time.  I struggle with it every day.  It has gotten easier, though.

[sombrabella]

Mbrown, you need some support! Is there a family member, friend, or trustworthy neighbor that can give you a hand for a couple hours a couple nights a week?

I don't know how people work and take care of a baby, especially a fussy baby! I haven't gone back yet, but am dreading it, even though it will only be part time. I hope DS is sleeping better by then...is your baby sleeping okay at night?

[Mbrown602]

Oops, I just realized I posted this in introductions instead of general.

At this point in time, there's really no one to help me at night once I pick Nadia up from mom's and go home. My mom watches her in the afternoons after my husband goes to work, and usually by the time I get off work she's ready to hand her off. Nadia can be a fussy little handful. So I've never asked her to come over those evenings or keep her longer.

I am still holding out hope at finding a different job that will allow me to go part time (my employer used to let people go part time until last year). A friend of mine is a medical transcriptionist and she said I should check into taking the training course and doing that from home.

[fbsurvivor]

One thing to remember is that these babies like to be around a lot of other kids so if there's anyone you know who has other kids that could be around in the evenings, that might help.  Also, I would take all the help you can get, if you think your mom might help more.  Fussy babies are this fussy usually for only a short length of time.  I know it doesn't seem like a short length of time now, but later on it will seem like a short length of time.  So, if your mom can help out in the evenings maybe only a few nights a week, that would be some relief.

Looking for other work is probably a good idea if you aren't committed to your current job or field.