I made it at home myself for nothing...

Sarahsaver · 25 November 2004 at 3:53PM

quote above thanks to the woman with the aubergine on 'goodness gracious me'

My daughter laughed at me in exasperation the other day saying 'Mummy why do you MAKE everything'! After watching a cooking prog on bbc2 last night, where they looked at ready meals, it reminded me how lucky she is.
What I DO make is...
detergent
beer
pickles
chutney
soup
yoghurt
bread/rolls
cakes
chips
cookies
cheese (indian paneer is as far as i have got so far)
soap
most meals, not counting the odd tin of beans or fishfingers, i dont get any ready meals.
the kids make the pizzas! ;D

heres hoping she looks back on it all with fond memories when shes older

La_Fenice · 25 November 2004 at 3:56PM

all I seem to make at home is a mess :-/

percyflatcap · 25 November 2004 at 4:08PM

You sound like the perfect housewife,
you remind me of my mother

Magentasue · 25 November 2004 at 4:38PM

Ssaver, do you work outside the home? I ask because I made so much at home when my children were babies but it all fell apart when I went back to work. At the moment, I'm off work for a bit so I'm baking, making yogurt, 'proper dinners' etc but I know that once I'm back at work, I'll slip again.

I read someone say that she has saved money by staying at home because she is cooking more. The other thing is that when I'm working, cooking and housework are chores but now I'm seeing them as ways of filling the day quite pleasantly. Not sure how long this'll last because I actually like working, but there is satisfaction in doing things properly when you've been skiming on them for a while!

I think that when I'm working full-time, I need a wife!

Magentasue · 25 November 2004 at 4:40PM

Oh, and Ssaver, I do think your children willlook back fondly. I was brought up by my cake making grandmother while my mother worked and have very fond childhood memories of our cooking, knitting and gardening activities.

Sarahsaver · 25 November 2004 at 4:43PM

I am not in paid employment at the moment, and the kids are 3, 4 and 7. Look at the benefits board where ive just posted again today..., i may have to seek employment soon BUT i doubt i will be better off. If i do get that job i will have the slo cooker plugged in 24/7 ;D
i get up at 6.15 anyway, to try and do a couple of jobs b4 the kids surface.

Magentasue · 25 November 2004 at 6:27PM

What a horrible situation. I did a degree while my kids were small but it was hard - made me ill! In my final year I had two doses of the worst flu I've ever had, a baby and shingles - in that order. That said, I was at home with the children most of the time and when I wasn't, my husband looked after them. But it WAS worth it because of what I can earn now. One day's supply teaching pays about the same as a 25 hour week on the minimum wage.

I don't live near family so it never paid me to workwhen my kids were little, I suppose that's changed now BUT you seem to have enough on your plate without a job. Back to the original point, if you have paid work, something has to give. Either time with the kids, homecooking, housework etc - you can't do everything as brilliantly as when you're home all day IMHO. And kids are only little once ...

Hope things work out for you

16011996 · 25 November 2004 at 10:10PM

ssaver, as i've said before you are in my thoughts, and wissh i could offer you some advice that'd help, but i do promise you you will get through it, even though it all seems a lot to deal with sometimes, and we are always here for you to chat with.

and with your list above, i think you are amazing.

love

160.

catznine · 26 November 2004 at 12:27AM

I used to make many things from scratch when my children were little, I cooked, made yogurt, sewed, knitted etc., and when I went back to work I just didn't have the time or energy to do this anymore. I actually found that I missed being creative and thrifty and as soon as I could I found part time work that fitted around the family but meant that I still had the time to do all the thrifty things as well.

I guess you have to be true to yourself. There are several books about, one I think is called "Miserly Mums" an american book available from amazon, which works out how much it actually costs you to go out to work!! I think many Mums on reading this would be surprised at how much going out to work actually costs.

I know that for many going out to work is unavoidable, I've been there! But it is worth realising your worth in the home as well.

Jo4 · 26 November 2004 at 1:08AM

Ssaver How do you do it? I would love to be able to do half of what you do, I really admire you! What is your recipe or what ingredients do you use? Do you ever sleep or get any rest? Your children will be well prepared to cater for themselves!

Sarahsaver · 26 November 2004 at 1:14AM

I dont know really. I spose I dont give myself any other option!
I get 8 hours sleep, or at least try to - better go to bed soon

I have a timetable for myself so I know what I should be doing and when. Not having to spend so much is a great motivation, and I do find myself saying to the kids 'we could make that' if they ask for things. I think this way they will learn that some sort of effort is required on their part in order to have things in life, and hope they will not be too influenced by the 'me me me' consumer/fast food culture.
Eugh got a bit serious then. Definitely time for bed. ;D

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

I made it at home myself for nothing...

Comments

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free