A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

Byatt

Hi Ginnykit. I meant to ask about your OH too, but then forgot in the fast movement of this thread! :A

If my dog went shopping for her own food she'd be done for shoplifting! :rotfl: When I take her into Pets at home, she has a sneaky biscuit from the trays! :eek::o

Feeling a little lighter today; sold a book on Amazon, a huge text book which will cost a fortune to send but will have something left for dog food, and *whisper*
my ex is not bringing my DD home now, she is coming back by train, so no worries about him trying to find me. :T

gardenia101

Beccatje wrote: »

I have set myself the challenge to not buy anything for 6 months. Save food, drinks, petfood and things absolutely needed for the children. So no 'fun' expenses. No craft stuff, no wool, no clothes, no 'pretty things'. I want to get out of the mindset of buying for fun and pleasure and also see how much money can be saved.

So far, already it has made me really aware of how easily money can fly out.. I've not bought anything yet (mostly because I'm skint anyway) but have had a few 'thoughts' already. Thinking: "oh what a lovely book!.. Oh that wool is really pretty and not expensive!".. amazing huh?

This had always been my downfall too :rotfl: along with eating out with my DD & DS. I use Money to track my spending & probably spend far too long fannying about on it, but when I run a report on where my money goes each month - :eek:. And the yearly reports are soooo scary....

Kidcat - that is a big "thing" to have done, so well done in coming to terms with it all. I hope making that decision gives you some mental peace (IYSWIM). I don't know how you all cope with f/t caring (although I understand that you just have to - not expressing it very well, sorry) - I think I'd be pretty rubbish at it so have huge admiration for all of you (don't want to sound condescending but not sure how else to put it).

prepareathome wrote: »

I remember when I had my youngest a young pompass dr told me that if I breast fed for a year this child would not have the allergy - when I told him I had done this with my four children he accused me of topping up with bottles.....

So I wish all who have are putting in for DLA and carers allowance for their children good luck, and fight if they try to refuse to give it to you. Having a sick child is hard enough without worrying about where the money comes from for their special diets on top.Hugs

I had a similar'ish time with my DD with severe eczema (bandaged everywhere apart from her face, always on steroid creams etc.) Stroppy GP told me I can't have just BF her or she wouldn't have these allergies (also lots of snot/coughs/colds but no asthma) & I must have given her someting else to drink (ie: this eczema was all my fault). If he'd seen how the little madam wouldn't let anything past her lips that came in a bottle & was exclusively BF for 5 months he might have thought differently.

Makes me cross with all the BF propaganda that your child won't suffer with allergies if you just BF - it just isn't true. OK, rant over :rotfl:

Prepareathome - did yours ever grow out of this?

I've just submitted my meter readings online - & delighted to say my monthly d/d is now £43 for gas & electricity :j. Guess it helps by refusing to put the heating on at all when DD & DS are at their dad's :rotfl:. This is for a 3 bed semi with carp insulation too & not enough loft insulation so I'm happy. Guess all the MSE tips are paying off....

cbsexec

Gailey - I'm only a lurker on this thread (and others) but feel for you. I saw you posted on another thread about Sun holidays and just wanted to say we went to Butlins Minehead with the Sun last year and were very impressed. Lots for little ones to do. Loads of adventure play and shows for little ones. Also lovely beach just across the road. Large Morrisons nearby to buy food. Perhaps worth having to look forward to? I found having something to look forward to helps you get through the harder times.
I'll slink off now!

juliettet

Just my twopennoth, stop feeling guilty. My two sisters and I were all bottle fed and none of us are allergic to anything.

gailey_2

ragz wrote: »

Prepareathome and Salome - What great posts. I know I often put housework before my kids (and my house isn't that tidy!) or sit on the computer when I should be playing with them. My first two were so close together they always played really well without needing me to join in so I got used to being in the background, now I have DD at home all day when the boys are at school and I really should play with her more, it's one of my goals for this year. She will start preschool a day a week next month, and this time next year it will be every day, I should make the most of my last little one...

My problem is I often feel I would rather clean than do kids stuff... my Mum always played so well with us but I don't seem to have the imagination! Must try harder!

There are bonuses to having all your kids young and close together... but I am realising the downsides - each child gets less attention and I get more stressed! I see people with one child and think how easy and tidy their life must be, but the downside is their child has no one to play with when mummy is busy. My mum had us all 5-6 years apart so we each got a lot of time from her at the important ages, which was great. But it does mean for her that at 49 with her youngest turning 16 on Wednesday, she is totally exhausted!

I have 3 kids

3.5years between no 1 and 2
but 20months between 2 and 3

my eldest 6next month is in school.
she has after school clubs 3days a week.

thursday my toddler does one nursery day which allows me to do chores,shopping, bank ect.
Also allows me little one to one time with eldest and baby.

I do try make individual time for them all right now would say youngest 2 get the most.
weekends I find hard as hubby works a lot weekends so doesnt see much of eldest as he would like.

Thankfully they all play together girls amuse themselves as well as argue.
on rainy day we make cakes or watch a film.

Girls have thier fave programmes.

Sometimes think could do more and in summer we do go park or along cycle path just winter I find hard going.

Dont think im depressed just always so busy sometimes burn out.
Plus other negative influences around me so hoping hubby gets this job as I worry about him.Might start taking vitamins.

well landlords been taken fire away. hes put up old dented heater.

hes said yes to persmission to extra shed
dident ask about dog as wouldent be for at least a year just cant see us moving for least next 3years could be here 5way things going which means we been his tennants for 10years!

Locksmith here its £150 job times like this glad I rent!

My toddlers exited seeing all these stange people come to house.
shes fixated with her dollies such an easy life being 2.
shes always happy and smiley.

sadly will be doing school run and looks like rain.Wondering if toxic freind will be there somehow doubt it.

I do have some mums at school who would help if need be but I hate asking I save favours for when I really need it and ensure I return the favour so eldest has freind over for tea friday.

rejuggled hubbys rota so she can attend all 5parties she got invites for last week. Hoping no more invites this week.

Got hold leisure cent and it is cheaper than centres in my county. sounds odd but bristol city is two different councils and the borders odd we live near the border so hopefully not too far out peoples way.

we can self cater food so just hiring baby pool for hour and party room.

last year we did food boxes like the ones you get in maccy ds and prepared all 30sandwiches night befoer and then filled boxes with food and toy and balloon worked out easier to transport and far less mess as brought 2huge packs fruit shoots from farmfoods so no spills.
As theres no kicthen on site and its 20min drive thinking will do same again this year but need guest list adults to kids as its 1adult to every 2kids.cant book and pay for it until next week so fingers crossed its ok.
will feel better when its booked.

Now wondering what to put in food box and keep it cheap.
going to do rolls this year so will look out at spar for more reduced rolls at 30p for 12.

Going to probably go butchers get £6 slipper joint as most kids like ham.
might do cheese and tomato too.#

need to find cheap crisps or some on bogoff.
last year cadburys animal biscuits were bog off.

Thinking might do hm cake or biscuit in each box.

will order boxes off ebay as cheaper as party shop let me down.
will get balloons from clintons as 2partyshops let me down last year.

Might get plain boxes and stick character stickers on
then get character napkins.

its good saving as no need for plates or cups as will add fruit shoot or carton drinki in each.

Think can do each box for £1 per head thats what aiming for as thinking 20kids.

so total cost I forsee being about £120 for decor, cake, venue, pool, food and party bags!

I do love party planning at least and im getting quite good at it!
infact feeling more positive already weekend was minor blip.

really fancying another toastie now but weighin day tommorow at sw am trying to be good.

Thanks everyone for being so lovley and supportive.

on totally random note saw on yahoo news the posh celeb chef anthony worral thomsan has been caught shoplifting @tesco on 5occasions over 16days and just got a caution. How weird not like hes that hard up when celebs have to steal life must be hard!

ragz_2

rachbc wrote: »

I totally agree with this - I like the hosue to be tidy, I feel better when the house is tidy, I can find things, the kids know where stuff is and life runs a little more smoothly so to me its less stressful to do the hosuework than it is to leave it and get stressed by it not being done. I actually get quite grrrr at people saying a messy house is a sign of a happy house and that if your house is tidy your kids can't be having fun etc etc. My kids make a mess then we all pick together, they do little jobs too and more as they get older. I'm not criticising those who are untidy but I sometimes feel there is an implied criticism of those who are....

Aww, I feel better now. Thanks Rachbc and Salome! I managed a happy medium today, allowed myself half an hour on here then half an hour playing with DD then set her up painting so I could tidy. After lunch I am back on here for half an hour then more tidying to be done. DD is happy with bricks at the moment. I think my problem is I have ideals in my head that I want and know I can acheive but then I read things/hear things and they change to be unrealistic...

I make my kids tidy, always have done. Start young!

gailey_2

ragz wrote: »

Aww, I feel better now. Thanks Rachbc and Salome! I managed a happy medium today, allowed myself half an hour on here then half an hour playing with DD then set her up painting so I could tidy. After lunch I am back on here for half an hour then more tidying to be done. DD is happy with bricks at the moment. I think my problem is I have ideals in my head that I want and know I can acheive but then I read things/hear things and they change to be unrealistic...

I make my kids tidy, always have done. Start young!

Glad your having better day sounds lovley.

Think its all about acheiving balance thats my aim for 2012

im my own worst critic. Im the one who sets myself all the goals.

my mum and sister are horrid to me about house though.

not done much today will hoover and clean lounge later
read kids nice story
do eldests homework
make casserole for hubby and mash.
change bedding on my bed
clean the bathroom.

aiming for a little each day.

gave in to inner toastie monster and used leftover mozzarella and dundried tomatos. plannning yummy jacket potato in oven later with cheese. oh dear dont think weightloss going to be good this week.

decided to try join new toddler group

just already busy with pta but feel bad as cant make this weeks meeting.

also run breastfeeding support group once a month so i do get out and have some lovley mummy freinds.

tink1981_2

gailey - just catching up on the thread so not sure if anyone else has mentioned this but we make our own yogurt and it's dead easy. We use this recipe http://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/radiator-yoghurt/ . We usually make it in an evening and leave it in a flask over night and in the morning you have yogurt!! It keeps for 2 or 3 days and we've often made it with woopsie milk. It's quite runny but tastes fine

tink x

ginnyknit

Byatt thank you for asking, OH is a bit wobbly but doing ok. Sleeping lots and eating quite well(for him) So you are trying to keep ex at a distance then? Hope it goes well for you

Just ran to Mr A and picked up 3 packs of bacon for 50p and mushrooms for 26p :j Have decided to make coronation chicken wraps for tea and although the intial outlay is high - for me - currypowder and mango chutney I think it was worth it as you can chuck it together in minutes and it zings your tastebuds. they did have pots of it for 30p but much prefer to food without the additives.

smileyt_2

B****r. My cheerful mood earlier on had been somewhat deflated. When I got to work I was told that my work had been cut down. I knew I was going to lose a few hours but I'll actually be about £100/week worse off. Trouble is, if I claim housing benefit they'll look at what I was earning just before Christmas and not what my circumstances actually are now. This usually happens around Easter every year in my line of work anyway, but this year it has happened much earlier.

Off to look for another job, I suppose.