how do other mums to little ones manage?

cobbingstones

Thanks for all your help.

I guess I'm comparing myself to my 'wonderwomen' neighbour who with two very young children who keeps the house amazing like a show home. I have actually tried to catch her out, but with no avail!!!! :-) She is someone to admire and much younger than me too.

I know we can only do our best...(I shall this this 10 times a day)

Wishing all mummies/daddies lots of fun and a stress free day (yeah right)

MM xxx

chewy62

:T I can't believe I used to buy ready made mashed potato in Marksies for £1.50 a tub, when you can buy a whole bag of spuds for the same price!:rotfl:
Since having kids, I sussed out that carrots, potatoes and pasta are so cheap and can be turned into so many different things.
Mince is my favourite meat in the world as it can be turned into anything and the kids love it!
if we do have scraps I've been giving them to the birds which is better than chucking them in the bin!;)

Littlebean_2

I love this thread, it's great reading about other people's handy tips and advice. I have two boys under 19 months so I'll take all the advice I can get. One quick question about food budgets though. My weekly grocery spend used to be around £40 but now that DS2 is on solids as well I find I am getting through much more fruit and veg than before. I'm happy for the boys to eat as much fruit as they like - we call DS1 our fruit-bat - but how do other people manage to keep their costs down. I tend to buy basics like apples, pears etc but for DS2 (8 months old) I'm using a lot of things like sweet potato in purees which seem to work out quite expensive. Also, I find that I need to spend a bit more in order to put more variety into their diets. It's OK for hubby and me but I don't want to give them the same thing day after day.

cobbingstones

I too have this problem. Would others recommend a food box? I don't have any Lidl etc near me and Asda for over 20miles. Just Sainsburys and Tesco.

Cheers

MM

cha97michelle

the comment about the friend who is always spotless made me chuckle. My sisters house appears like this, because she is never in with the kids to mess the house up.

She instead goes to my parents house, or mine, and whatever toys the kids leave out are just left for someone else to pick up. I nearly broke my toe this morning when i tripped over something they had had out at my house the other day.

I am finding it a struggle personally with just a 2 month old baby. It's hard feeling sane because i am always tired, and i can only get anything done in the house when baby sleeps if the cats aren't in, or my hubbie is at home. We can't get out to baby groups as yet because they won't let you here until they have had there 1st jab.

I've gone from being a super-productive person wrking full time as a teacher, and keeping a reasonable house by myself, to feeling like the treadmill is slowly taking me backwards. I'm taking heart in the fact that friends with older kids say it gets easier, and trying to keep hold of what is actually important at the moment, which is food and clean clothes, and personal hygiene.

I 2nd sarahsavers suggestion of reading time management for manic mums by alison mitchell. I think this will be a godsend when i go back to work if i can implement it now.

Michelle

cobbingstones

Michelle

Honestly it does get easier May I suggest the easiest way forward is routine. I swear by Gina Ford myself.

You have so much to look forward too in a couple of months. Keep in there gal!!

I have just ordered the above mentioned book.

Thinking of you.

Best wishes and happy christmas

MM x

pigpen

cha97michelle wrote:

We can't get out to baby groups as yet because they won't let you here until they have had there 1st jab.

Michelle

That is a disgraceful case of discrimination!!

They cannot possibly be allowed to get away with that.. What if you choose not to have any vax?? Are they not allowed to go to school or work when they are adults!???

I'd take it up with the group leaders, I am utterly appalled!

I took my oldest girl to playgroup for the first time when she was 5 days old!!! My son was 2.5 so he needed to be out of the house as he was/is a difficult child. I cannot believe they are so discriminatory and narrow minded.. what happened to freedom of choice?

Personally I feel the Gina Ford regime is bordering on child abuse, babies need to be loved and cared for when their needs arise and I do not believe in doing anything to quell their need for love and affection and would never in a million years allow a small baby of mine (or anyone elses) to cry unattended for the periods of time she suggests. However, this is not a debate board so I am just expressing MY opinion.. each to their own... but be warned.. if I hear your baby crying, I'll come rescue it!! lol I think GF books are something which need to be taken very lightly and not followed to the letter, it is potentially very damaging to the mother/baby bond and horrific advice for a breastfeeding mother due to lack of stimulation etc.. Tread very carefully and remember baby knows what he needs, not GF. I am definitely a baby-led mum.. their needs are attended, even if that means they want to be cuddled all day.. thank heaven for slings I say! off topic.. my friend had her rabbit in a sling today as he had been outside in the hutch and was cold so she tucked him in to warm him up.. one happy bunny!

Suppose I best go do something productive.. Henry here I come!.. and mop.. and cloth.. and washing.. sigh.. it is never ending!!!

Bexstars

I havent read the GF book but I do think its really improtant to get yourself into a good routine that works for you as a family but try not to be too hard on yourself if you let it lapse a little. My daughter is 10 months old and tbh things only settled down for me when she was about 7 months. I was so determined to stick to a routine in the early days I got myself so worked up and stressed when it wasnt going to plan. Once I realised it doesnt matter it im still not dressed at lunch time or the pots arnt done from the night before or the baby is still in the same sleepsuit they went to bed in I began to relax a little. It is so hard in the early days/months, your learning how to be a mummy, look after the house with hardly any time and still make time for your oh and im sure that sleep should fit in there somewhere too lol, its a lot to juggle but it does get easier, promise!

DonnaP

I found Gina Ford very useful with my twins. You do have to leave 1 twin crying sometimes as you can't always deal with both at the same time! Now that is stressful - breastfeeding one whilst the other is crying throughout! Happy days (not!)

I'm a SAHM and have only just got some extra time now my daughters have started nursery. I look back at the first 3 years and I am amazed how much I did with so little time. I am sure I will look back at the nursery year and feel the same!

My tip is to be structured, plan meals, your time etc and accept you can't do it all! A tidy house which needs cleaning is better than a dirty untidy house!!!

Best wishes to all SAHM's with under 3's. Remember, life isn't always going to be like this. It does get easier and you are doing the best thing possible being at home with your children.

Donnax

hhannahh

Oh I do envy those whos children eat fruit and vegies! :j

If mine did Id order a box from these people every week!

http://www.riverford.co.uk/

Also green grocers are SO much cheaper than supermarkets for fruit and veg