The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

fuddle

Welcome moments!

To suggest you should become more organised on the thread that you started doesn't make any sense to me, it's not what you asked.

I worked full-time when my eldest was born. All through the first 3 years of her life. The stigma attached to doing so was awful. I have up work when I ha youngest DD but didn't feel stigmatised till DD went to nursery. Now she's at school I feel I am tarred with the same brush as other people 'who don't work out of choice' even though no-one says it to me I get the odd comment from family members which insinuates it.

It's no-ones business! Cast aside all what you think society thinks bout what you do for a job because its 24/7 work. You're never off! Just as I sit down of an evening, 'stick the kettle on, go-one it's your job' big grin from DH. He's right and at the moment I wouldn't have it any other way.

I adore looking after my lot... Dog included. You got two collies? Flaming 'eck I bet they are hard work. I have a collie beagle cross. He's er, individual to say the least!

Welcome aboard!!

kezlou

moments of sanity - hello!!!

I'm SAHM as well as being unemployed slave of the OH who is self -employed. Between meetings, charity work, hospital appointments, sorting the kids, OH and the business i hardly have anytime for myself. I get looked down on but they soon shut up when someone comes over and asks me about the ESOL course i used to teach. Or when both of my children rave on about they happy they are mammy sits and plays with them and reads lots of stories with funny voices.

Bunbun hows your ds is feeling better?

Showed fuddle my new fashion accessory, all she could say was, onlyyou! It could only happen to you. Told my sister and she was pi$$ing herself laughing at me. DS1 saw my foot, his words "only you!".
Honestly nothing surprises my lot anymore.

Just waiting for OH to come home now, he went to work about 2 after taking ds2 and myself to hospital.

moments_of_sanity

Fuddle, my dogs are a little.....manic for want of a better word but I love them dearly

One of them is now stood in the middle of the living room ready for the light to reflect off of the floor or ceiling, can't ever use a torch as he goes bonkers!

Just turned on my tap to find we have no water pressure at all so called the water board and they say there is a huge leak somewhere local. I have filled the kettle, dogs water bowl and the huge jam pan just in case we don't get any later tonight.

Right, off to see what the troops want for tea tonight. Back later and thank you all for the very warm welcome :beer:

moments_of_sanity

kezlou wrote: »

moments of sanity - hello!!!

I'm SAHM as well as being unemployed slave of the OH who is self -employed. Between meetings, charity work, hospital appointments, sorting the kids, OH and the business i hardly have anytime for myself. I get looked down on but they soon shut up when someone comes over and asks me about the ESOL course i used to teach. Or when both of my children rave on about they happy they are mammy sits and plays with them and reads lots of stories with funny.

That sound lovely to me. In 2011 I was lucky enough to get two weeks off with the girls over the summer holidays. We went fruit picking, cycling, walks and it was lovely, how I hanker for the time to do that with them now. Even though they are 16 & 17 we are still a close family so they don't find these activities odd

kittiej

Hi moments, it is difficult to know what to do for the best. I work 4 full days a week and really wish I could SAH. I'm hanging on for redundancy but it's not very forthcoming lol.

People always think others are having a better life than them instead of looking at how they can improve their own.

I am well jel

FairyPrincessk

Kezlou, sorry to hear about the boot. It sounds like it might need some ribbons or bunting attached;)

Hello and Welcome Moments! I'll just put my two pence in--I'm very career driven, in a career where women fight hard to be respected. When I meet SAHM in real life and they find out what I do, they are sometimes defensive thinking I'm going to judge them, as if somehow the running of a household and caring for a family isn't work. You know what? I still think being a SAHM is fabulous career choice, IF THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT! And, to be honest, if I weren't doing what I do, I might consider it. It is hard work, requires a very diverse and difficult skill set (Mrs. LW is a great example of the vast knowledge a SAHM can have), and it makes a valuable contribution to society. It sounds like this is what you want, so embrace it all the way and enjoy it! And don't worry too much about what other people think, I find that the less I think about what other people think, the more time I have to get on with doing what I want, which usually gives them even more to think about:rotfl:.


As for the cats, I've dug up some Olbas oil and OH has some cintronella for the shower (they were out of peppermint which he likes to use in the shower, don't worry we haven't got flies!). I'll just douse pretty much the whole garden in that tonight. If that doesn't work, then I'll check B&Q for the cat repellent. If that doesn't work, I'll rig up more nets, and if that doesn't work then I may resort to sleeping in the back garden with a water pistol. I know which cat it is, she is very cheeky, always lurking on the garden walls. OH scared her off once by tapping on the windows, but she seems to like to come in the very early morning.

Monnagran, Hugs. The quiet time to allow people to pay their respects seems perfect.

Been to the gym today, had a very productive work day--OH is making tea so I'm hanging up pictures and inspecting the garden.
x

mardatha

When I had my kids in the 70s all mums "had" to stay at home and watch the kids or they were bad. When we hit the 80s, all mums "had" to go out and work or they were bad. Then in the 90s they had to stay at home again. Lol, round and round the mulberry bush. You only have your kids for a short time - say 16 years. Enjoy them!

bunbun2

welcome moments of sanity. I gave up work when I had ds1. I didn't know about mse then and surviving with one salary was hard (more the loss of my salary than jut having one salary I think). but we survived and I wouldn't have had it any other way. I am still a SAHM but I do work 4 hours a week over 3 days. I started this job when ds1 was a year old and was only doing one hour. my friend looked after ds1 then ds2. when she moved the boys went to a childminder before they started school. when they started school I moved all my work to lunchtimes so I could pick them up from school. I love being at home and find plenty to occupy me! As everyone else has said it's your business if you work or not. when I say to mum that we can't o such and such cos we can't afford it she says "maybe you should go to work" - no thank you I'd rather do without

we haven't been to the cinema as a family for ages, it is so expensive. when the boys were young OH would take them, now they are older they go on their own.

can I join the mad dog group - we have a springer!

possession/stiltwalker/fairyprincessk thank you for the cheesecake recipes. i have never made a baked cheesecake before so I might try that as well as the non baked one. OH bought lots of YS lemons

OH has gone to mr T for his weekly YS shop. He is addicted! he has just texted to say lots of reduced veg:j

kezlou glad you haven't broken your foot but what a pain having to wear the boot

stiltwalker so pleased that your dd is enjoying her bouncy castle

possession thanks for the info on the apple days. ds1 would love it but he is 14:(

mrs LW thanks for the info about pets at home

shegar

mardatha wrote: »

I have a second purse, but it hides in my knicker drawer and I use it to stash odd tenners and fivers left over after I've got my food in.

Me too will never be caught short........I have a purse full of coins and a few notes in the car, I never know whats going on offer on the road side stalls, loads people sell home grown produce in the country..........

I spent a lot of my younger years without " a pot to p*ss in", :eek: but as you get older I find I need a bit of security, and knowing ive got a couple of bob I can turn to if needed is handy..........

Ive saved a few quid in the house in another purse , and that will go towards a delivery of coal in the next month ready for the winter..........
Sheila...

Bigjenny

Thank you for the replies, will have a look for it tomorrow.