Renovations and Repayments.

newgirly

I don't know what your experiences are Alex but as a sahm for many years I was constantly asked why I didn't work and when I was going back to work, I really don't think it's just sahd's.

I also had (female ) friends who went back full time and shock horror - put their kids into nursery that was even more frowned upon. Every family is different, you basically can't win so s*d what anyone else thinks :rotfl:

AlexLK

NG, there are a lot of SAHMs in the village / surrounding villages. A lot of fathers working away (jobs in London / other cities) too.

It does often seem like we can't win as parents. Had an awful day today apart receiving a smart Smythson diary from my father who gave me a very similar item for university. Not had such a diary for years now, so it was a very nice (and unexpected) gift to receive.

Suffolk_lass

Smythson eh? luxury! What a lovely gift. I think you mentioned you already have an academic diary - that will be important for your new teaching role, based as they are, around the academic year. Do you keep a paper diary as well as this on-line one?

AlexLK

This one is also an academic diary but will live on my desk in the study. I'm going to keep a diary of my teacher training experiences. Perhaps I would be better keeping other thoughts to myself, also.

Hardly any sleep last night, not feeling particularly well today. Worked out from my phone that Mrs. K., our son and I have averaged just over 23,000 steps per day since going on holiday! I'm sure that will go down over the coming week, though. Targets start again today, so going to spend a bit of time thinking about what I want to achieve for the coming month. Definitely need to sort the sleep problems out again as a priority.

maman

newgirly wrote: »

I don't know what your experiences are Alex but as a sahm for many years I was constantly asked why I didn't work and when I was going back to work, I really don't think it's just sahd's.

I also had (female ) friends who went back full time and shock horror - put their kids into nursery that was even more frowned upon. Every family is different, you basically can't win so s*d what anyone else thinks :rotfl:

AlexLK wrote: »

NG, there are a lot of SAHMs in the village / surrounding villages. A lot of fathers working away (jobs in London / other cities) too.

It does often seem like we can't win as parents.

I'm with newgirly here. I hope you didn't think that I applaud SAHMs to the detriment of SAHDs. I realise that for certain families it's probably the best decision and I respect that but I couldn't do it myself.

Suffolk_lass

One of the things I do when sleep eludes me is a "what's in my head" list. It sort of acts as a parking place where I can empty them to while I go to sleep. I also have a pad and paper in the bathroom for those nights when I wake up in the early hours with stuff going round and round. Often my tension is about not dropping things as well as the usual "what shall I do about..." things so it removes some of the clutter.

On odd occasions I have awoken, convinced I have the answer (to something) and writing that down helps me re-gather and relax to regain that elusive quality sleep. It doesn't always work but sometimes it helps. Naturally a quick review next morning sometimes shows a load of confused drivel, but just occasionally there has been a bit of a gem.

Then you have your meditation techniques to help you empty your head and prepare for sleep. Don't forget the techniques that helped you before.

AlexLK

Sorry, maman. I shouldn't have wrote the message I did last night. I've put up with a lot of flak for it and I suppose last night your message brought it to the front of my mind.

SL, I need to get back to practicing good sleep habits. Contributing to the problem has been not going to bed at a reasonable hour and getting into the bad habit of drinking every night again. Last night I had a few too many, so lack of sleep wasn't the only reason for feeling a bit ill this morning. We've spent a ridiculous amount of money on wine this month too. Only really realised it was becoming a habit again when Mrs K ordered water with our lunch (yes, lunch out again) and I felt rather annoyed we weren't having wine.

Definitely starting targets again tonight. Tomorrow Mrs K is back to work and my course starts, so my son is going to be at my cousins which he is looking forward to. I'm not currently looking forward to tomorrow but tonight is going to need to be an alcohol free one. :rotfl:

smallholdingsister

I hear you on the booze and sleep front, Alex. I was booze free yesterday and don't know myself today.

It has been a bit of a debauched summer with our kids away.

maman

No need to apologise Alex .
It's quite normal to spend (and drink) more on holiday but tomorrow is the start of getting back to normal, even if it's a new normal for you.
I'm sure it will be fine as soon as you get started. Have a relaxing evening and an early night. It's a positive that LittleK is looking forward to tomorrow otherwise you'd have one more thing to worry about.;)
P.S. Pleased that your dad gave you the academic diary. Surely that's his way of showing support?

AlexLK

Glad I'm not the only one, smallholding. Are you beginning to settle into the new house?

Yes, we need to get back to normal, maman. Early night is planned. I'm seeing a pupil this evening, then will be updating my targets and going to bed to read and sleep, hopefully.

My father has a lot of respect for teachers, generally. Not a chance I would have got away with defying one of my old school masters had he heard about it. He's pleased about my new choice of profession, even had to tell his doctor that I will not be able to bring him for a medical appointment as I'm retraining to become a teacher. :rotfl: