I start back to work on Monday, I have not worked Full time outside of the home in 11 years!!! I have quite a commute and so there will be no popping home quick, besides I only get a 30 minute break and could not make it even if I needed to. I will be working in a class of two year olds so I had already planned on making sure I had a spare set of clothes in case someone has an accident on me, gets sick etc...I will be working pretty long days ( in MY opinion ) 9-6. Really appreciate any ideas that I have not thought of = ) Thanks in advance!
oh my goodness Mommas I love all the ideas! So many things that had not even crossed my mind! I am making a master list and getting things ready to go this weekend for my big Monday morning. I feel a lot less nervous knowing I am going into this as prepared as I can be = )
In my office desk, I have large zip lock bag with: toothbrush/tooth paste, tooth picks (can you tell I'm obsessive about having food in my teeth? lol), tiny hair spray, hand lotion, small mirror, emergency tampon/pad, refillable water container, pic of my family, breath mints, tylenol & ibuprofin, hand sanitizer & small snacks that I replenish often because I get the munchies around 3 p.m. every day.
Make a bin of things you might need for car trunk, that you can switch between cars. Include cold meds, tylenol, hygiene pads, black cohash (hot flashes), sneakers, pantihose, warm socks, hairbrush, batteries for electonics, hair ties, set for own kids change of clothes (usually happens when least expected at school); money ($20 for left lunch money, no gas, etc, refill each pay day, if used); extra checkbook; box of snacks...
Bottle of water
snacks
makeup bag
cell phone AND CHARGER
magazine or book you can read on your 30 min lunch break
Tylenol
(love the extra set of clothes)
your oranizer w/calendar (you can always make dr appt calls on your
break and put them right into your planner
Sunglasses
cardigan sweater or jacket
lunch/snacks in a lunchbag cooler
Tampons
You have some great ideas already. To that list, I would add a bottle or seven of 5-Hour Energy. It always gives me that instant hit of GO right when I need it mid-afternoon. I also have a Costco-sized bottle of Excedrin Migraine. (But then, maybe your job will be better than mine? LOL) Good luck!
I would think of it this way. What do you NEED when you are awake and doing anything during those hours at home? I would bring the clothes as you have said (all the way down to underwear, in case of big trouble). I would bring drinks that you are really going to drink and not crave something else. I know some daycares seem to ban soda for teachers too as it could set a bad example but bring what you normally like to drink during the day. Bring more snacks than you think you will need just because it seems everyone assumes they are too busy to snack but then again you run around so much (especially with little kids) that you need sustenance.
I make sure to have chapstick and nail clippers in my desk, because my nails are brittle and if they break I want to clip them right away. I also have a few snacks, like little packets of crackers, in case I get hungry between meals, sometimes in the afternoon I need a bit extra when I'm lagging. I've also got a little sewing kit in case I lose a hem or something.
I second the Excedrin Migraine! It's a headache miracle drug! Water bottle, tampons/pads, snacks or extra change for the coke/snack machine if there is one, cell charger, lip balm, hand lotion and a cute, insulated lunch bag! TMI, but I like wet wipes for the restroom, so I always keep one of the Cottonelle travel packs with me!
Hi B.,
Contact solution and case or glasses cleaner, gum or lifesavers/mints, ipod for your breaks so you can go for a quick walk, your address book, a pad of paper for grocery lists or menu planning.
Thats all I have for now. Good Luck Monday!
powdered drink mixes. extra fork/spoon (i work in schools too and they dont usually have money for those things). deodorant. tea if you drink it. gl
You have some GREAT suggestions that I will be adding to my stash. The only other thing I can say is to make sure you bring pictures of the kids and homemade things. People stop by my desk and say WOW because I have a lot, but they are my reason for working. Without them, I'd do what I wanted to really do in a day - and that wouldn't be 9 hours at a desk!! I have had to wait sometimes before putting my things out (temporary desks, sharing space, etc) and I find my work to be a higher quality and easier to do when I have pictures of my family around me :).
When I was Santa, I would take 30 minutes of my lunch hour, lean back in a chair in my lunchroom and take a nap. I had an alarm clock that counted the minutes, not, wake up at 1:00 pm. I bought it at a truck stop. Its called a "screaming meanie".
I would bring a pillow, like we take on an airline and a throw. Everything else has been suggested.
Good luck to you and yours.
