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I second the baby groups! Your local library will be a great place to start! Also I do a chore or 2 a day to keep up on the house without feeling burned out or tired. Also remember that you’re working just as hard staying home and taking care of the house and baby! You’re allowed breaks too just as much as he is
This is the set up in my home as well. He will be tired but he should also understand you will be just as tired from being the solo parent on duty all day He has physically demanding but you have physical wellbeing and the mental and emotional load of your child as well as cooking and cleaning and that’s exhausting It’ll be harder to do everything around the house you two normally get done but if any job went from two people on a project to one…there would be a noticeable difference I second the getting out to the library and getting into a class. That’ll be a great break from in the home during the cold and hopefully will lead to good social outlets. Maybe suggest a plan on what household things he can do around the house that would help you but also be jobs he can manage at the end of the day. Emptying the dishwasher, taking out the trash/diapers You can always see how it goes the first week of him at work and see where you feel like you need help and let him know
My husband has a similar work schedule. 10-12 hours 5 days a week, but he's a mechanic for a farmer so firm schedule can vary a lot during planting and harvesting season. Those days he could be gone till 2 or 3am. It's honestly about priorities, keeping a perfectly clean house is out the window unless you just want to stress yourself out. I make sure my kids are fed and happy first. If I have time for cleaning beyond that, great. If I don't, then oh well. Because hubby works long hours, I almost never get a real break away from the kids. So my rule for that is when they are both down for naps, I don't use it to clean or pick up. That is my break. I can watch TV, take a shower, take a nap, whatever I want. Taking breaks is essential to maintain sanity! My kids are about to be 1 and 3, just for context.
You're going to do a great job! I recommend agreeing to a shower schedule for you, so you don't have to negotiate every time, you can both plan around it even if you're tired. At 5 months, just show them everyday objects and what they do, they are taking everything in! A rainmaker toy, staring at the ceiling fan, singing along to a playmat song, reading board books... Get used to cooking and cleaning with baby rather than handing them off. Move their bassinet around the house. Try out a hip seat so baby can cruise around with you. Spend more time playing than you think you should. Talk to your husband when you're feeling low or have hard days. He can emotionally support you even if he can't be there himself to help out. Consider getting a monthly babysitter or housecleaning service so you have some planned time off for doctors appointments or other activities that are just for you.
i appreciate you all !!!
I highly recommend finding a mom group of any kind near you so you don’t get lonely! Also your local library might offer baby lap sit groups! As for activities for baby Pinterest is wonderful!