how do other mums to little ones manage?

honey

Haha! Good point Sarahsaver

katiecoodle

I just wanted to say that I'm a Stay at home mummy and I also find it really difficult to suddenly 'magic' up healthy meals which are kind-of instant. I do resort to the freezer occasionally but......
I LOVE MY SLOWCOOKER...if I find I'm awake at 6.45am, I can bung a load of veggies or whatever in there, leave it on all day and it's a meal/soup at tea time.
Also - I agree that meal planning is essential, especially when you're on a budget.
Now that summer is on its way, I'm gearing up for picnic lunches which can be instant.

Re: Housework, I must admit that having 1 child was a lot easier, but now I've got 2, I've noticed the difference. I try to involve them in everything, although the ironing has to wait until they're in bed. It takes longer to do everything, but at least they're occupied, with me, and the jobs are getting done!

I love being at home, and every day I thank God for the opportunity. It's SUCH a blessing ! It'll never be easy I guess, but enjoyable and a privelige.

Mellika

I don't have tips because I don't even have children.

But I'd like to say, my mum was a SAHM (we didn't need any extra money). And since there were 4 of us, she didn't have much time for one-on-one time with us.

And maybe growing up we sometimes got upset because we wanted her to play with us instead of doing the washing up... But 20 years on I can tell you, just the fact that she was THERE is the most important thing I remember from my childhood.

Mum was always there if we needed to talk to her, about silly or important things, and she would always put everything down (sponge, broom, wooden spoon) to give us a hug, or her full attention if we needed it.

Just by staying home you are giving them so much more than most kids have nowadays, so be proud of that

sethsgran

Stay at home mums are the best well done to all who have the option to do this. I know this isn't for everyone and you have to be true to yourself.

CRANKY40

Children are like puppies - if you don't exercise them then they wreck your house.

I have discovered that the best way of getting ds to play with his toys for a while is to do something with him first.

Our outings get done in the mornings - park, library, beach etc, and then while he is feeling like a bit of quiet time after lunch I get to do a bit of cleaning or cooking or whatever. I tend to do a lot of batch cooking and then freeze it - his food as well as mine.

If a mess gets made then it's not the end of the world. Even play-doh dries up and gets hoovered out of the carpet eventually (honest), although it takes a while. My ds loves washing dishes, so I put his apron on and he washes some plastic things in the sink while I clean the kitchen.

We do baking together too - I sneak into the kitchen and whizz up a shortbread mix, he then spends the next 30 minutes flattening it, cutting it into shapes and decorating the shapes with chocolate chips.

I also have to admit to doing the ironing upstairs and letting him bounce on my bed or letting him use the washing basket as a car to keep him busy.

Bad mummy me, never. Ok, my house rarely looks it's best, but I like to think we have fun a lot of the time.

Curv

OddjobKIA wrote: »

... delivered by butterflies.

GenuLOL!

Thank you SO much for this, OJ... I'm ashamed to say that as soon as I read your post, my inner perfectionist recognised herself for the dumb@ss she is.

Thankyouthankyouthankyou

Squidgy

I guess it's hard to relax when we're told all the time about these domestic goddesses!

I stayed at home for 18mths when my daughter was born, went to work for 2 yrs then stayed at home for 2yrs when my son was born (back at work now - and I find this easier!!!)

I always planned my menu for the week - this means you know what you are going to have so don't need to think about it all the time, it also means that you can then plan the kids meals to - they could have leftovers for lunch the next day say.

Also I have never made seperate meals for the kids. We all eat together and all have the same (if they don't eat it, they don't eat it. They won't starve!)

With regards to housework - just because you are at home all day does not mean you have to do it all yourself! I cook, hubbie washes up. I look after the kids during the day, hubbie looks after them from when he comes in till when they go to bed.

I also only ever clean when my son is having his nap - it's just long enough to thoroughly clean the bathroom / completely hoover downstairs etc.

The perfect mixture! Who wants to spend all day cleaning???

Squigdy x

Miss_Kitty_Fantastico

am i the only one or does spending time on here eat into your time for os cleaning/cooking etc lol

i am always full of good intentions that when dd goes for nap i will magic up a storm in the kitchen etc and then i come on here to check some info and before i know it an hour is gone

still its not too bad today as ive been up since 4.20am - so 2 loads of washing already done, lounge tidied and rubbish out yay

hope everyone else is having a good day

hugs Nic

Sarahsaver

All you need to do is set a timer for say 20 minutes then time up! Off the PC. Or else either get up early or stay up late whichever suits you. Maybe you need to be more structured in what u r looking for online cos I know t'internet makes us all have a bit of a wander from time to time!

lilmisskitkat

Hiya all

Have been reading this thread with interest as soon i'll have a newborn to see to along with DD (6) and OH. DD is at school but OH works from home some days so i need to find ways to keep on top of things so the house doesn't descend into chaos and i get all stressed. OH will help (after being asked about 10 times) but he genuinely doesn't see the mess and it doesn't bother him, whereas i can't sit down and relax if theres stuff needs doing. Think we need to find some kind of middle ground!

A few things i do now:

* Sweep and mop the kitchen floor whilst DD is sat at the table having her tea, we dont eat together every night but i always make sure i'm around so we can have a chat about her day etc. i also wash up in the mornings whilst shes having her breakfast if i've been too tired to do it the night before.

* Clean the bathroom sink and toilet whilst shes in the bath, then when she gets out the bath gets rinsed and wiped.

* Never go up/downstairs without taking something with you eg. toys that belong upstairs, a pile of clean washing from the line up/dirty washing from the basket down etc

Kate xxx