The Multiphasic Mom!

The United States Department of Labor provides the employment situation summary every month. It has been determined that 14.0 million people are still without jobs as of September 2, 2011. This dilemma has impacted many families or forced them to think outside of their boxes. Please read the interview of a family where the mother is spending more time in the workplace than her family. The father has taken more of the caretaker role for the children. It’s has been a rocky road for this couple, but they are determined to work as a team. This is what it’s going to take for most families in order to survive.  Please enjoy this interview with Tracy Swain from Georgia.

True Conversations: So you are proud mother of?

Tracy: 3 years old twins – boy and girl

True Conversations: That must be an adventure?

Tracy: Yes, they have a great time running around the house, my son is final realizing how to go to the potty (laughs)

True Conversations: What else do you do then take care of your 3-year-old twins?

Tracy: I also work in the hospital as an RN

True Conversations: Really? What are your hours?

Tracy: Well, I work two jobs now that my husband only work part time and being in school.

True Conversations: How do you work two jobs and take care of 3-year-old twins?

Tracy: I have a great husband

True Conversations: So when do you work or how are your jobs setup?

Tracy: I work one full time job that has 12 hr shifts and I also do PRN and may work 2 to 3 days a week there too

True Conversations: Really?

Tracy: Yes, Plus I’m taking classes to gain specialty

True Conversations: This is amazing, so when do you have time to spend with your family and rest?

Tracy: If I’m lucky I only get to spend a couple hours with my children, the good thing is they like to play together a lot

True Conversations: Really?

Tracy: They are also in Pre-K 9 -2:00 pm – this is when I can rest (laugh)

True Conversations: How many days are you off during the week?

Tracy: There are weeks I’m off 2 days a week

True Conversations: What will you tell mothers in the same boat?

Tracy: Take one day at a time, by having a second job my stress went down because I don’t have to stress about money like I use to

True Conversations: Why did you have to stress for money?

Tracy: My husband has only had a full time job for only 8 months since our babies were born. This has been difficult for us. But he is now working part time and in school.

True Conversations: What is your husband going to school for?

Tracy: Computers and Business, in order to gain a BS degree – doing double major – he also has a production company with a friend, but that is getting up and going.

True Conversations: Really? So when do you all spend time together or when was the last time you two had a date?

Tracy: Well we haven’t had a date in a long time; we focus on making sure each other are comfortable. When I come home, this gives him time to do different things he like or break from the kids. He also makes sure I gain rest.

True Conversations: O.K.?

Tracy: We use to go out on dates before we had the children, but my husband lost his job when I got pregnant. This has been very difficult. We use to try to workout together at the Y, but we have not done this in a long time.

True Conversations: Really?

Tracy: Plus it’s hard to gain childcare, my mother is disable and my husband parents are divorced. We have not join a cell group at our children that we could take turns with other parents in order to go on dates. We really don’t have no one to keep our children, plus they may send them back home (laughs) because they like to run and play a lot.

True Conversations: Are you all planning to have any more children in the near future?

Tracy: No, I waited a long time to get married. Plus my husband has a son from previous relationship.

True Conversations: So there is another child other than the twins, why did you wait so long to get married?

Tracy: There were no good men out there (laugh)!

True Conversations: Do you mind me asking how old you were?

Tracy: I was 34 years old. We met one year and got married 1 and ½ year later (laugh)

True Conversations: How long have you been married?

Tracy: 5 years

True Conversations: If you could change anything about your life what would it be?

Tracy: He would have a better job so I could take care things at the house so we could spend more family time. Due to the job issue it has been very stressful

True Conversations: That makes a lot of sense

Tracy: Yes, but it’s not as stressful now that I work another job. Having more money has decreased my stress because we can pay more of our bills.

True Conversations: That’s understandable

Tracy: Plus my children teach me about not letting the small things get to me and showing me not to worry about things. They become so excited for small things! When I come home they are so excited to see me and that makes me feel good too.

True Conversations: Children have a way of doing that to many.

Tracy: I also believe if my husband had a job, I still will feel things were not organized around the house, because of having twins. I’m learning not to put pressure on myself to get everything done. I do what I can. I’m just happy the bills are paid (laughs).

True Conversations: Please know a lot of families are going through the same thing as you and your family. It is great you all are working as a team. True Conversations! truly hope the best for you all!

Tracy: Thank you, we are trying.

It was a delight to have this interview with Tracy, because she represent many of the families in the United States on today. Many marriages are suffering, because most couples are focusing more on paying their bills than nurturing their relationships. Children are learning to adapt in these stressful environments, but being the sunlight in many of these families homes. It's great Tracy has a husband that is willing to assist her. They might not have a perfect situation, but willing to do what's needed to continue on.