12 hour shifts and young kids

Just curious, those of you who have young kids and work 12 hours, how do they handle it? They do ok? I have been part time for 5 years, but we recently relocated states. The only position in my specialty right now is 12 hours full time day shifts, which include a 45 minute drive each way. I'm a little nervous, as this will be a major change for my kids. My son is 9 months, I worked part time nights, and now have been home with him for the past month and half. I will be gone from 6 am until about 8:30 pm once I start this job. I also have a 4 year old. Does being home the other 4 days make it work?
A lot depends on whether or not you have another adult living in the household. Are you married? If so, does your husband pick up the slack? If so, then your kids will be like a bazillion other kids all across America who don't have full time stay-at-home mothers (that is, just fine). If you are the only adult in the household and have to make other child care arrangements (my situation), it can be tricky. My son has survived, but we've been at the mercy of the willingness of various family members to help out. It would be one thing for my son to be at home without me but with his father until 8:00 pm when I get home; it's another thing for him to be at my aunt's house until 8:00 pm, then I need to get him home and that's when we're just starting our evening routine. Not the end of the world, we've been okay. This may be a short-term situation for you, you never know when something part-time might open up, and if you already have your foot in the door, you'll be better positioned to move into a part-time role. You both will survive!

Quote from solneeshkaA lot depends on whether or not you have another adult living in the household. Are you married? If so, does your husband pick up the slack? If so, then your kids will be like a bazillion other kids all across America who don't have full time stay-at-home mothers (that is, just fine). If you are the only adult in the household and have to make other child care arrangements (my situation), it can be tricky. My son has survived, but we've been at the mercy of the willingness of various family members to help out. It would be one thing for my son to be at home without me but with his father until 8:00 pm when I get home; it's another thing for him to be at my aunt's house until 8:00 pm, then I need to get him home and that's when we're just starting our evening routine. Not the end of the world, we've been okay. This may be a short-term situation for you, you never know when something part-time might open up, and if you already have your foot in the door, you'll be better positioned to move into a part-time role. You both will survive!

i think baby sitters would work..just make sure you know their background

When I worked that kind of shift with four little ones, it was 12 hour day shifts on weekends F,S,S. My husband was off during those days so it worked very well. We attempted the sitter thing but it was horrible. Talk to your boss, maybe they can work out you working during the days he has off.

A lot of parent do night shift, or weekend only. It works well I think.Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

I can't function on night shift. I just came off them, and will not do it again. It was horrible. We found someone we are going to try out for now. See how it goes.