What are some strategies for working a graveyard shift while raising a 2 year old?

Are you looking for a nightshift job because decent day care is too expensive, difficult to find, and/or hellish to manage?

I can’t imagine what it’s like to wake up early, feed and dress a cranky child, get oneself ready for work, rush to the babysitter, race to the job, put in a full day, pick up the child, and return home to cook dinner, do housework, and get the child to bed. Is it any wonder why so many couples try to find alternatives to day care?

You can’t work all night and then imagine you are going to be an effective parent during the day while your wife is at work. You need to find child care while your wife is at work so you can sleep, if those are the hours you need to work.

@SadieMartinPaul: Your description is my life.

@pleiades: Does your child go to day care or do you watch the child during the day? If you watch the child, how would you survive if you have to sleep? If you are going to pay for day care, it may eat up what you make working the night shift.

@jca I’m sorry to hear that your life’s so challenging right now.

@Pleiades I’m guessing that there’s no nearby relative – your little boy’s grandmother, for example – who might be willing to take him while you and your wife work?

What are your living conditions? This may be an out-there thought, but do you have enough space for a childcare center? It’s unorthodox to suggest a man as day care provider, but this is the 21st century. Or, if you’re able to earn more money than your wife at a daytime job, would she be willing to stay home with your son while looking after some other children?

I know that I’m reaching here. I also know that early-childhood care in the U.S. is impossible, as is just about any service.

From what I can see, you can do the childcare bit but you will never see your wife during the week. That’s tough on a marriage.

@Stinley: It may be the key for success for some marriages LOL.