Less Multitasking

I've always been one to multitask, but two things that have increased how frequently I multitask have been #1 owning a laptop computer and #2 becoming a mom. It actually wouldn't have been feasible for me to continue working outside the home without more childcare assistance without multi-tasking with a laptop. There are three instances in which I'd like to stop multitasking: #1 when taking a shower, #2 when sleeping at night, and #3 I'd actually like to stop using a laptop once I become a SAHM. I am very open to suggestions regarding how to take a shower without having one or more kids with you in the bathroom. This morning Ian started crying part way through my shower and Nadia told me she needed to go pee pee on the potty. The good news is that our water bill is probably less because my showers are as short as possible. However I would love to have 10 minutes every other day when I could shower and shampoo without anyone else in the bathroom. Usually I bring Nadia in with me and take my shower during Ian's morning nap. That's probably the best option until Ian goes down to one nap a day. I hate to think that I'll have to wait until the afternoon to shower when that happens. I think I'm going to start asking Paul to watch the kids on either Saturday or Sunday morning so at least once a week I can have a shower by myself.

As for sleeping, it's not truly multitasking in that I can't sleep while caring for Ian during the night, but I lumped it in this category as from the hours of 9:00 or 9:30pm and 6:00am I'd like to do nothing but sleep. I know that from time to time this won't happen because a child is sick or something like that, but it's been over 3 weeks since I had one night of sleeping 8 hours in a row. I highly doubt that Ian will regularly sleep 12 or more hours like Holly does, but it's worth a try to let him go to bed earlier tonight. Last night he fell asleep in my arms at 6:45, but I woke him up and Paul put him to bed around 7:30. He woke up around 10pm and was up for about 30 minutes. Then he woke up at 11:45, and this time I decided he shouldn't be fed again. I changed his diaper (which was only wet) and tried to rock him back to sleep for 30 minutes. He'd fall asleep and then wake up when I put him down. I finally decided to let him cry. Thankfully he didn't cry that long. He then woke up at 4:50 but after fussing fell back asleep until 5:15. I got him at 5:15, and he fell asleep while I was nursing him in our bed. He woke up around 6am. I guess I'm going to have to start letting him cry more if putting him to bed earlier (temporarily) doesn't do the trick. I know he is capable of sleeping 11 hours straight, as he did that for several weeks up until he turned 9 months old and got his first two teeth. The VERY good news is that we've now reached the point where it's the norm for one of his naps to be 75-90 minutes long. Today was one of the rare days when both of his naps were at least 60 minutes long!!

Technology has made more multitasking possible. I frequently talk on the cell-phone (hands free) while driving to and from work. I used to just sit and watch a movie with Paul. Now I'm usually on my laptop either for work or leisure while watching a movie. Having a laptop has enabled my children to only be with a babysitter an average of 6 hours a week. I've been part-time for most of the past 2+ years (50-75%), but even this semester when I'm full-time, I'm not on campus 40 hours a week. Paul watches the kids for 10 hours a week in addition to the 6 hours they're with a babysitter. I don't keep track of exactly how many hours I work per week, but if I worked 36 hours, that would mean that the other 20 hours of work must be accomplished while I'm taking care of the kids or after 8pm. That's honestly the main reason I'm looking forward to being a SAHM. I am only away from home about 15 hours a week, but my job consumes far more than 15 hours of my time each week. Many times I am wanting to play with the kids but instead I am trying to get them to play by themselves so I can grade, respond to emails from students, etc. This is the main reason I haven't replaced my personal laptop. I actually think it would be better if I didn't own one.

My plan at the moment is to keep bringing my laptop to and from school and home. However once I "retire" (it sounds funny to retire at the age of 39 after having worked in the field of education for 19 years), I really want to limit the amount of time I am on the computer each day. I spend very little time with personal email any more. In terms of leisure I mainly use the computer for this blog, reading other blogs, Facebook, and uploading and editing photos and videos of the kids. I also use it for doing some shopping, paying bills, and keeping track of the budget. If I only was using the desktop computer in Paul's office, that would really limit how many times a day I was on the computer as well as how much time I spent on it. That should mean I wouldn't be multi-tasking while on the computer, which I think would mean giving more undivided attention to my hubby and kids. I'm actually looking forward to not owning a laptop. :-)

My biggest pet peeve when it comes to multitasking is students who think I can't tell they are texting during class. Oi vey is that annoying! I can still say I've never sent a text message. We shall see if I ever change my tune on that one.