Stay at home mums getting organised in 2010

3_cheeky_princesses

Morning all :j

Kids are back to school today so hopefully i can get a lot done. My husband and i did do a fair amount yesterday too :beer:
Todays jobs are:

[STRIKE]Ironing[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Couple lots of washing then drying it all in tumble dryer[/STRIKE]
Hoover upstairs
Sort out all my new beauty products i got for Christmas / Birthday
Sort out Star Charts and Routine
[STRIKE]Wash hair, Dry hair and Straighten Hair[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Write 2 DooYoo reviews [STRIKE]and rate others[/STRIKE][/STRIKE]

Hope you all have a good day

RoxieW

hello ladies - well I want to ask you all about 'me' time as I seem to walk around looking an absolute state most of the time and like I'm sure you all do - put the rest of the familys needs before my own. One of my new years resolutions is to invest more in me!

I'm interested to see how much time others give to themselves adn tips/ideas for maximising it and some motivation to actually brush my hair in a morning lol!!

So................

'Me Time (Because we're worth it) Questions'

1) How much 'me' time do you have on an average day?

2) How is this broken down?

3) How do you feel about this amount?

4) Do you think you use your time wisely or would you like to make changes?

5) Any ideas/tips to free up more 'me' time or use it more effectively?

6) Do you have an exercise regime - if yes, please describe and how much does it cost you?

7) Do you have a beauty routine - if yes please describe and how much does it cost you?

8) How often do you visit a salon and what do you have done/cost?

9) Any tips/ideas for bringing the above costs down?

10) How much do you spend on new clothes in any given month?

11) Do you go out ie with friends/partners? How often, where and how much do you spend on this?

12) Is there anything you'd like to change/improve in 2010 ie Me time resolutions lol

13) What are the obstacles to achieving the above and how can we overcome them??

Many thanks ladies

Katyag

'Me Time (Because we're worth it) Questions'

1) How much 'me' time do you have on an average day? Couple of hours.

2) How is this broken down?
DS2 naps during day so that time is used for me and also for some housework. My boys are early bedders so I can get some peace in evenings too.

3) How do you feel about this amount?
Its fine, altho Id love more time in house with no one! So if DH took boys out more for 'boy boy' time Id be delighted.

4) Do you think you use your time wisely or would you like to make changes?
I prob dont relax enough, I spend my free time, pottering about doing housework, on pc etc I really should take more time to chill out and read a mag or book so I really am relaxing.

5) Any ideas/tips to free up more 'me' time or use it more effectively?
I have a strict bedtime schedule as I feel by that time of night I need some peace and quiet. DS2 goes down around 6-6.30pm and DS1 at 7.30pm. Bedtime is bedtime in this house, no options!

6) Do you have an exercise regime - if yes, please describe and how much does it cost you?
I dont, but Im trying to build one in. I got a Wii Fit Plus for Christmas so am using that so doesnt cost me anything now.

7) Do you have a beauty routine - if yes please describe and how much does it cost you?
I do my own eyebrows, and get my haircut at a local family salon so really good prices. Im not high maintence!

8) How often do you visit a salon and what do you have done/cost?
Twice a year recently, need to go more! Usually just a cut, but a good few inches at a time. For a wash, cut and blow dry usually around £15.

9) Any tips/ideas for bringing the above costs down?
No

10) How much do you spend on new clothes in any given month?
Im not a big shopper, tend to buy when I see something I like on sale which isnt very often! I dress for comfort not fashion!!

11) Do you go out ie with friends/partners? How often, where and how much do you spend on this?
Friends, I have been doing more often, once a fortnight maybe, usually to cinema or something. Sometimes get food on way home so less than £20. With hubby, lot less often as its just too much hassle to get a sitter. As our 2 are in bed early we have 'date nights', get take away, watch dvd, cuddle on sofa instead.

12) Is there anything you'd like to change/improve in 2010 ie Me time resolutions lol
Use my me time for using the Wii Fit!

13) What are the obstacles to achieving the above and how can we overcome them??
I need more willpower to do it!! Will someone send me the directions to the Willpower shop!!:rotfl:

RoxieW

'Me Time (Because we're worth it) Questions'

1) How much 'me' time do you have on an average day?

4.5/5.5 hours

2) How is this broken down?

1.5 hours daytime when baby naps - usually on computer between mse, facebook and msn messenger chatting to hubby (I have my lunch during this time also.
1 hour evening - exercise
1 hour evening - bath
1 to 2 hours evening - television

3) How do you feel about this amount?
It's ok but I find myself staying up too late ie till midnight to get extra time in the evenings as its 10pm by the time I sit down to watch tv.

4) Do you think you use your time wisely or would you like to make changes?
I need to factor in time for my appearance - I just wallow in bath with magazine and dont blow dry hair or do nails or anything like that - and maybe some quality time with OH

5) Any ideas/tips to free up more 'me' time or use it more effectively?
?? Perhaps a half hour wallow and then half an hour to 'beautifying' lol. I just cant drag myself out of the bath once I'm in!

6) Do you have an exercise regime - if yes, please describe and how much does it cost you?
Yes - wii fit 30 mins and EA active 30mins 5 times a week (giving myself fri and sat nights off!!)
7) Do you have a beauty routine - if yes please describe and how much does it cost you?
No. One area that is always neglected. I dont wear make up/do my hair unless a special occassion and its started to bring me down. I want to make more of an effort but dont know where to fit it in!
8) How often do you visit a salon and what do you have done/cost?
Hair cut normally every 2 - 3 months. £20. It looks nice for about a day but I can never get it to look the same so I dont even bother and whack it up in a ponytail. I have high maintainance hair i suppose (long, thick and unruly) which is part of the problem as it takes about an hour to 'do'.
9) Any tips/ideas for bringing the above costs down?
I changed salons because it used to cost me £30 and I found another local salon much cheaper - no difference in service. Have also had hair cut at home but the hair absolutely everywhere and crying baby didnt really warrant the £5 saved
10) How much do you spend on new clothes in any given month?
About £50 but I never look put together or stylish.
11) Do you go out ie with friends/partners? How often, where and how much do you spend on this?
Average once a month with OH and once every 2 months with friends. Prob spend £50 a night with OH and £20 with friends (is normally just a curry and few drinks). Very rarely (once every 4 mths??) will go out to bars and clubs which costs more (£50 - £70 ish)
12) Is there anything you'd like to change/improve in 2010 ie Me time resolutions lol
Continue giving time to myself to exercise and relax.
Devote more time to a 'beauty' regime.
Blow dry/straighten my hair and paint my nails at least once a week - maybe on a Sunday??
Visit the salon more often
13) What are the obstacles to achieving the above and how can we overcome them??
I'm my own obstacle as I just 'cant be bothered' with my appearance. but it seems silly investing lots of time in exercise then not going the extra mile.
Cost may prohibit more salon visits - esp as I am considering highlights for summer. Any one have highlighted hair? What are the maintainance costs?

Many thanks ladies

ragz_2

'Me Time (Because we're worth it) Questions' ANSWERS WILL CHANGE IN A FEW WEEKS WHEN BABY COMES!

1) How much 'me' time do you have on an average day? About 5 hours at least

2) How is this broken down? From 6/7pm kids betime until I go to bed, also a few hours twice a week when both kids are at Preschool, once a week either SIL or MIL has them for a few hours.

3) How do you feel about this amount? GREAT! I'm lucky to be a SAHM so I can do everything during the day and do F-all in the evenings.

4) Do you think you use your time wisely or would you like to make changes? no, I sit around on the net or watching tv! Could probably do more...

5) Any ideas/tips to free up more 'me' time or use it more effectively? No

6) Do you have an exercise regime - if yes, please describe and how much does it cost you? No but when baby's born I'll be re-joining Weight Watchers

7) Do you have a beauty routine - if yes please describe and how much does it cost you? I usually manage to brush my hair at least once a day! Really should have a bath and pamper myself more often.

8) How often do you visit a salon and what do you have done/cost? No. Sister cuts my hair, I pay her a fiver.

9) Any tips/ideas for bringing the above costs down? No

10) How much do you spend on new clothes in any given month? About £10 if that.

11) Do you go out ie with friends/partners? How often, where and how much do you spend on this? Not really. Once every few months with OH, spend about £20/30

12) Is there anything you'd like to change/improve in 2010 ie Me time resolutions lol Use me time for exercise!

13) What are the obstacles to achieving the above and how can we overcome them??
Don't let being a parent rule your life, you're still a person! I refuse to become a martyr to parenthood, I don't feel at all guilty that once kids are in bed I am ME and not MUMMY!

ragz_2

Sooo uncomfortable today, feel like I'm about to go into labour at any minute... will get on with housework and hope it passes!

rainbow81

'Me Time (Because we're worth it) Questions'

1) How much 'me' time do you have on an average day?
It depends, lots if it is a school day, if not I am constantly "on call" with DS. It is either too much or too little, I know that.

2) How is this broken down?
School hours, evenings after 8pm. Every other weekend are completely mine and Tuesday nights.

3) How do you feel about this amount?
Honestly it's too much, I need some structure.

4) Do you think you use your time wisely or would you like to make changes?
I would like to have less "me-time" in the sense that it is completely open ended. I have joined a yoga class, I do the Wii fit sometimes, I would like another "hobby" or to find some voluntary work (or even paid work). I would like to look more put together and groomed as I am a bit slapdash.

5) Any ideas/tips to free up more 'me' time or use it more effectively?
Make an appointment with yourself and stick to it, like the lists on here. And stop ironing and put your feet up!

6) Do you have an exercise regime - if yes, please describe and how much does it cost you?
Yoga once a week, £6. Wii fit twice a week again, free after buying the kit! Weights, about a tenner, as and when I feel like it!

7) Do you have a beauty routine - if yes please describe and how much does it cost you?
I put moisturiser on and make up in the morning. I straighten my hair if not short of time in the morning. I'm trying to add more to this, like a weekly (home) manicure but it's not something I enjoy doing. A big bottle of Olay = £9. I don't tend to spend much on my make up.

8) How often do you visit a salon and what do you have done/cost?
Every 4 or 5 months, I really should go more. It costs about £30 and again is something I want to invest more in to feel better about my appearance. I only have some long layers and varying length of fringe. Also thinking of highlights, how often do you have to get the roots done?


9) Any tips/ideas for bringing the above costs down?
Make friends with a hairdresser!

10) How much do you spend on new clothes in any given month?
Between £0 and about £60.

11) Do you go out ie with friends/partners? How often, where and how much do you spend on this?
Just out of a relationship so this is a bit odd now, I probably go out once or twice a month. Cinema £10, drinks £30+, dinner £30+, see a band drinks and ticket and maybe a club after £70. :eek:

12) Is there anything you'd like to change/improve in 2010 ie Me time resolutions lol
Spend more time and money on my appearance. I always thought it was sort of shallow but I am sick of looking like a tramp!

13) What are the obstacles to achieving the above and how can we overcome them??
I think it is a change in priorities, learning what is actually good for us other than what we have got into habits with.

RoxieW

ragz wrote: »

13) What are the obstacles to achieving the above and how can we overcome them??
Don't let being a parent rule your life, you're still a person! I refuse to become a martyr to parenthood, I don't feel at all guilty that once kids are in bed I am ME and not MUMMY!

Wholeheartedly agree ragz. My new catchphrase is 'I deserve it' lol cos I have to keep reminding myself that I work hard all week - I put so much energy into hubby/kids/baby/house that its easy to have none left for myself. If I want my hair done 'I deserve it'. If i want to lol in the bath with a glass of wine 'heck - i deserve it!'
I love this thread for the fact that it helps me to get organised but is also proves as a reminder of exactly how much i do do and that I need to 'do' for myself as well

RoxieW

rainbow - i havent got a clue of the upkeep on highlights - that is what is putting me off them. i suppose if they are subtle then its not so much as a problem?
i'm putting my daily wii fit on my to do list - along with grooming 'todos' so that I actually get on and do them.
ps i now have bright red eyebrows from plucking lol.

RoxieW

This weeks list
Not as long as last weeks but it has time to grow lol

Ironing/Clothes
Washing/Drying I am at the bottom of my washing basket
Surface clean bathroom
Deep clean kitchen
Buy big storage boxes for boys rooms
Hubby put decs in loft
Declutter my room
Paperwork
Take boys for haircuts
Wii fit (putting this on so i commit to doing it lol)
post thank you notes for xmas pressies
menu plan
get weighed lost 2pounds this week
find a new mobile phone deal and order
find desk ikea jonas or cyril, shoe storage ikea bissa and argos 5 clear shoe boxes, chair argos and toy box ikea apa,
buy some glasses lol
WORK done and sent off on deadline
sort airing cupboard
declutter cupboard of doom
sort out handbag return john lewis