After getting laid off last July, my husband got a good job offer yesterday. Needless to say, we are thrilled and relieved. The downside is that he has to start on second shift, 2pm to midnight. This will probably be for 7 months to a year before he is put on days.
Back when we were first married, he worked third shift, 5pm to 5am. That really sucked, but we were both young and didn’t have kids so it was just us and we could miss sleep to see each other, and it was only for a few months. Plus I worked retail hours and we sometimes had time off together. Now we have a 2 year old and he’s not going to see him at dinner or bedtime anymore, and I work a regular day job 3 days a week.
We will work in time on the days I am home, but I know this is going to be a big adjustment for our family.
I guess I am just looking for stories or advice from people who work different shifts than their S.O. How difficult is it for you, and how do you work in time to see each other? If you have kids, how did they cope with it? I admit I am not looking forward to being alone with our son every night and doing the whole dinner, play, bath, bed routine all by myself, plus being the only one who can pick him up from daycare. Popping out for an evening with my friends isn’t going to happen as easily anymore.
Tips? Advice? Horror stories?