Stay at home mums getting organised in 2010

Triggles

Ragz - Regarding DS3's waking pattern at night, yes, he does seem to be moving into a bit of a pattern of having a feed at about 11pm now and sleeping until 5am. Here's hoping that continues. He's been a bit off for the last week or so (immunisations followed by a viral infection with a high temp that would not go away for days), but now that he's feeling better, his sleeping is somewhat better.

DH has started his new reduced work hours, and I can tell a big difference already. He is much more easy-going and relaxed, and so am I (I think, anyway!). We've managed to get a number of things done around the house this weekend:
- small fencing around play area of rear garden
- prepared and planted veg garden (still have a little to complete)
- cleaned off back patio and patio furniture
- mowed rear garden
- trimmed tree in rear garden
- started putting aside items for car boot sale in two weeks
- did a stock up shop and now challenging ourselves to go on very small amount of money for grocery shopping for rest of month, just using what is in the house

It was nice to spend more "fun" time with the kids, as well as get things done around the house. We still have plenty we have to do (dining room looks like a tip at the moment, as I'm sorting through paperwork right now), but we are making progress.

We've started a new menu planning that we're now going to try. Instead of planning what we're going to make each day, we've written out what meals we have all the ingredients for, and posted the list on the fridge. Each evening we can browse the list and decide what we're going to have the next day, and then take the meat out to thaw the night before. This way we have more choice (as we were getting tired of having everything planned out too far in advance), but still have meal plans so I can do the shopping around the list We've done it a few days now and enjoy it.

Hope everyone is doing well. Not sure what the plans are for us for tomorrow, but will post once I've figured out what I need to complete.

victoriaplum1

I have been very unmotivated lately esp since oh has been made redundant, my stress levels have gone thru roof....looking at jobs for myself but without childcare before and after school, in hols and for sickness all seems a bit out of reach at moment so having to find ways to save money, make money and generally try to keep going til little one starts school....in 4 years!!! Gonna try and pull myelf out of the de-motivated hole and get on and paint older sons room tomorrow so he can move out of boxroom and baby can move in, at least we may all get a good nights sleep then! I have found loads of paint in shed, half used pots etc so hopefully can do it cheaply....was feeling very guilty about fact I cant do out room properly exactly how I want but as not much money floating around have to try and make do...figure that little one will be so chuffed having bigger room that he won't mind so much, and that spending time with him preferable to spending sack loads of money on him.

Triggles

victoriaplum1 - sorry your stress levels are up so high! As far as motivation goes, I have found recently that a little goes a long way. Sometimes I tend to overwhelm myself if I set the bar too high. I have been scheduling myself to do either small things first, or just a certain time period working on larger things (for example - 15 minutes working on sorting papers in the morning and again in the evening). That little bit of progress tends to lift my spirits a little and spurs me on to do more. I guess it's our adult form of positive reinforcement. Good luck with your painting - we don't have a lot of money for doing up the inside of our home, so sometimes end up doing the less expensive options, but a small improvement is better than no improvement at all, right? And it feels SOOO much better to see that fresh coat of paint! Enjoy! Your little one will love it!

Today, I've not done a whole lot, as the little ones kept me up until 4am. *yawn* But as soon as DS3 is taking his nap, I plan on popping DS2 up in his bedroom to play with his toys for a bit (and engage the safety gate), and clean up the kitchen. And possibly an extra 15 minutes on sorting paperwork in the dining room. I'm off to get laundry washed in just a minute, so I can hang it outside to dry. And I plan on taking both boys outside to play in the garden for awhile this afternoon. They sleep so much better (and behave better as well!) when they've had the chance to get out in the fresh air. Possibly a walk to the post office as I have a few things to pop in the post box.

jenkins3563

Hi all

Thanks to all the advice that you kindly gave me I have decided to become a stay at home mum when my Maternity leave comes to an end which is approximatley September as i genuinely believe its the best thing for my children.

Whilst I am a stay at home mum I'd like to do as much as possible to teach the children what I can, to be as productive as I can and if possible to save money where we can or somehow bring a little bit of money in to ease the pressure on my OH.

I just wondered if any of you would be able to advise me of anything that I should do or that would be useful to do to prepare for being a full time SAHM ?

ragz_2

jenkins3563 wrote: »

Hi all

Thanks to all the advice that you kindly gave me I have decided to become a stay at home mum when my Maternity leave comes to an end which is approximatley September as i genuinely believe its the best thing for my children.

Whilst I am a stay at home mum I'd like to do as much as possible to teach the children what I can, to be as productive as I can and if possible to save money where we can or somehow bring a little bit of money in to ease the pressure on my OH.

I just wondered if any of you would be able to advise me of anything that I should do or that would be useful to do to prepare for being a full time SAHM ?

:j Good for you, you won't regret it!
I think everyone deals with the SAHM thing in their own way, jsut do what works for you. I find it came naturally to me, despite having all mine young and close together... but what works for me doesn't work for everyone. I thrive with routine and structure, just to give my days a pattern but I know plenty of other SAHMs who don't bother so much with routines as they aren't having to fit in with work etc

I find good money saving things about me being at home are, I have the time to meal plan, cook from scratch, get the best deals on everything, find free stuff to do etc

money_saving_diva

jenkins3563 wrote: »

Hi all

Thanks to all the advice that you kindly gave me I have decided to become a stay at home mum when my Maternity leave comes to an end which is approximatley September as i genuinely believe its the best thing for my children.

Whilst I am a stay at home mum I'd like to do as much as possible to teach the children what I can, to be as productive as I can and if possible to save money where we can or somehow bring a little bit of money in to ease the pressure on my OH.

I just wondered if any of you would be able to advise me of anything that I should do or that would be useful to do to prepare for being a full time SAHM ?

I am so pleased - well done.

All I can think of is now you have made the decision get your head around it (it is something you have to prepare for mentally I think) ... and make sure you sort out some groups etc to go to. Do you have any SAHM mates? It took me a while to find SAHM's to make friends with. I was really lucky and at one group I went to a few of us found we had loads in common, babies were same age and we were all planning on being SAHM. We now all try new things/groups and meet at each others houses etc. One of the girls and I have become a really close friends. We are all now having our 2nd babies at similar times. That group of friends were hard to find but I could not live without them. I don't just go to mums and tots groups - I have tried all sorts from different stuff at sure start centres, swimming lessons, baby massage, pram push at local woods - all different activities attract different people and you find out what you and your children prefer. Most of all have fun - and your kids will have fun :T

Triggles

Jenkins - I have to agree with moneysavingdiva - try all sorts of stuff and toss what you don't enjoy and keep what you do. It's good to get out a lot - fresh air makes babies sleep well! lol And it will retain your sanity! Routine is a funny thing - it's definitely nice to have, but you have to be flexible too. There are ups and downs to it, but it's still wonderful to be home with the children and see all those firsts. Enjoy it!

mumof1and1ontheway

I just wondered if there were any single sahm's to 2 or more children who would like a chat through pm's? I am in need of advice on how to manage the finances and juggle things with the kids please Id be ever so grateful x

ManOnTheMoon

Just popping in to say hello as I haven't frequented this little corner of the web for a while.

I hope you are all organised and getting everything done. It's easy being organised as a parent isn't it? Well, maybe not

kidcat

As kids are back to school I am back trying to get organised again!! Hope everyone had a restful couple of weeks.

Today my list is

[STRIKE]Washing x4
Hang out washingx4[/STRIKE] (yippee)
School runs x 3 (still got one off)
[STRIKE]Organise Broadband switch[/STRIKE]
Check progress of PAC to new mobile
Unload DW
[STRIKE]Put away all dry washing
Buy present for DD4 teacher who is having baby
Dinner in SC[/STRIKE]
Meal plan for tomorrow at least
[STRIKE]Plan outfit[/STRIKE] and present for party on Friday
[STRIKE]Plan menu[/STRIKE] and write list for dinner party on Saturday
Strip bed