Here we can all be heard for a little while. Part 3

codemonkey

I'm around, following along. Totally agree with the slow cooker thing. Mine even has an attachment that stirs it, because you add in extra cooking time if you take the lid off. It's the best thing ever in winter as you can make hearty soups and stews and if you're out all day (maybe on a WaS animal outing), you come home abd it's like someone is cooking your tea.

My parents both have porridge every morning with oats soaked overnight. It has to be with salt though - any mention of sugar and cream is referred to as 'English porridge'. :rotfl:

Georgiegirl256

Brilliant description of the slow cooker code! It is indeed like someone cooking your tea! When you walk back in the door and the smell of cooking hits you, it's so homely, and best of all, it's there ready and waiting for you! The attachment sounds handy, never heard of that before.

I do prefer porridge with sugar and milk, but I don't mind the salt.

codemonkey

Our old slow cooker broke and I sent Mr CP to buy another and he came back with the fancy self-stirring one. It's quite cool actually.

continualdiamond

Hello....I've just come across this thread. Not too sure if I'm right to type out a message but hey ho I'll give it a go.

I'm a relatively new mum to two daughters, no not twins, just a new mummy to having 2 children now. My eldest turns 3 in October and my 2nd daughter is nearly 5mths old.

I'm in a pretty good routine in that I feel I know how to juggle looking after 2 children better but gosh I find it really lonely.

I feel guilty at times that I wish I could go back to work already and it's purely for social reasons, nothing else. I returned to work 3 days a week when my 1st daughter was 9mths old and I hated it, didn't want to go back. Now being on my own so much with 2 children I'm already wanting to go back....

I'm from Australia and have no family here what so ever and I miss my mum, dad and younger sister even more since becoming a mum. My inlaws are rubbish and my fab hubby works such long hours (lorry driver) I often feel like I am a single mum as I do often go the whole day looking after them as he walks in after they're in bed most nights.

I recently went to the Dr about how I was feeling but they were rubbish and told me to just get out more.....I get out every day for my eldest to interact with other children at playgroups as had to reduce her nursery days from 3 to 1 with being on maternity leave.

Yes the groups are good, a good 2 hrs out the house but I dread coming home knowing I've got x amount of hours of loneliness before my husband is home.

Am I okay to post on here? Seeing as my Dr's advice was pointless when I saw this thread I thought it might help me.

Torry_Quine

;)Welcome continualdiamond and feel free to post here. It's a very supportive place..

onomatopoeia99

Hi continualdiamond, everyone is welcome to post here Can't offer any suggestions I'm afraid, as I'm the complete opposite, I look forward to going home as it means I can shut the world out and unwind!

Georgiegirl256

Welcome continualdiamond Are there other activities or groups you could join? Such as baby swimming or baby yoga perhaps? Or whatever takes your interest obviously I know that's basically the advice the dr gave you, but maybe you might meet some new people that you could invite to yours for a coffee/play dates, or meet up for a coffee in town?

Like the others have said, feel free to post here anytime. x

Pyxis

Continualdiamond,

I was in the same position as you, with children the same ages as yours, but was separated and on a very low income, so I do understand.

Initially, I think that part of the answer is to invite people round to yours more. That way, you can get to know individuals better, and get invited back to theirs.

Do you have a car? If so, and if car seats make it feasible, you could suggest an outing with another mum. Do you have a painting pottery shop near you, or something like that, where you can suggest a meet-up?

Go to as many mother/toddler groups as you can fit in, as this will enable you to meet more people. Then you can start inviting people back, or you may even get invited to theirs.

Are there any other mums of young children in your street? Again, you could approach them.

Your local library might have some welcoming groups.

One group I found extremely useful, not only for meeting like-minded people, but also for practical help and support, was the NCT (National Childbirth Trust), who also had local meet groups. Met some very nice people through that.

However, as well as doing things that involve your children, I feel you also need to do something just for you, too. When my youngest was 6 months, I started doing an OU degree. One day a week, the children went to a childminder for a few hours, so that I could study in peace. I'm not suggesting you do that, as such, (although that would put you in touch with loads of people!), but could you afford a baby-sitter so that you could get out to a class in something you enjoy? Be it an exercise class, or a dance class, or learning a language, etc. That way, you get to mix with adults with a mutual interest.

You could join a rock choir! Great fun!

Your local authority might have a newsletter with all sorts of activities/events/groups on it, plus there's your local WhatsUp website for local groups.

What do you think?






Edit.
Another little idea.
Do you fancy starting up a small reading to children group? Asking say, 4 or 5 mums to take it in turns to host a story-reading group for their children. Each mum brings a story to read out. (And possibly also brings cake or biscuits, the host mum just providing tea/coffee/juice etc.)
That way you get to rotate around each other's houses.

Lambyr

Hello all,

Had a lovely weekend which has flown by far too quickly. Didn't do a whole lot. We got out to the park briefly but then it started raining so mostly we were inside watching TV and playing video games but that's still nice

The dog appeared to appoint itself chaperone at one point... E and I were cuddled on the sofa and so she decided to jump in between us!

Watched Jurassic World. We seem to be turning Saturday night into a movie night now. Maybe I should start acquiring popcorn?

Not really much else to report there.

Welcome to the thread continualdiamond. Sorry to hear you're feeling lonely. If it helps at all, I feel lonely a lot. I'm a carer for my mum and though I live with her, there's lots of times when I feel alone. It's hard. This thread helps a bit.

codemonkey

Welcome continualdiamond. Sounds to me like you're mostly bored. I'm willing to bet most parents are in some way. Are there any hobbies you can do while the youngest are sleeping? How about courses you could do from home to keep you occupied? If you need adult company, are there any other mums you can make friends with that could come over for play dates?

I need a firm talking to. Feeling very low and tearful this weekend. I'm crying at everything and I have to go to a family dinner which is big birthday celebration and I just want to curl up in bed with the curtains closed and stare at the wall. I don't want to be around actual people but my food has been ordered and I have to go. So let's get me moving at least to the point where I can fake it.