Budget Wars - A New Hope (with apologies to George Lucas)

Bobarella

f0xh0les wrote: »

:grouphug: for you Bobs, it is traumatic for you, but she will have forgotten all about it by Monday morning, which is a blessing, but also terrifying.

Can't remember how old DD is, but I totally understand not wanting to put her into full time childcare - I was the nutter who came and got DS at lunchtime in foundation (DS1 & 2 didn't go until year 1, but 3 &4 were at school every day getting the brothers, so they knew all the teachers and wanted to go) - a full day knackered him out so much all I did was post food into him when he came home and scooped him into bed at 5.30. So he escaped at lunchtime, we had lunch together and went and threw bread at ducks, or went to the pool, or went to the swings and chatted (they can all chat, my boys!). Then when they were a bit bigger they trotted off to school happy as Larry. Never had tears.

There was something on our local Streetlife about a working mums/dads resource group - sharing resources and information on childcare and self employment - I never knew it existed, might be something to look into? Will look up the name of it.

DD is 11months. So foundation is reception? I didn't know you could skip reception. Live and learn. You have to do what feels right don't you, no need else knows your children like you do.

Street life is sounding more and more promising, I will look into it as soon as I get chance. Thank you:)

Bobarella

PurpleFairy26 wrote: »

sorry to hear about your DD bob, glad she was ok. Hope you've managed to catch up on some sleep. I know it's difficult with the business v looking after her. I've all but given up my own business (that i did alongside my FT job) as I just couldn't justify going off and doing stalls/fayres etc when it was time away from my family. I still do run it but just with current and referred customers, so I know just how hard it is.

I would say, as ever - you know your own and your family the best and you will make the best of the circumstance you are in and the best decisions for your family. In time, it may be a half day here or there at nursery or CM, but soon enough she'll be 3 and the 15 hours will start :-) You are doing brilliantly and I find that some people will like seeing the business with your family with you as they can understand how much of a family operation it is.

You working at the restaurant this weekend?

Thank you PF. Was that wellness products you were into or am I getting confused?
I appreciate there are many of us out there doing different versions of the same thing so I by no means think my struggles unique. But it is a comfort to hear from people who really know what it's like.
I don't want to wish her life away at all. We have had so many nice times recently now she is old enough to really enjoy playgrounds and libraries. After a bit of a miserable summer I am treasuring the hours we have between jobs and the school run.
I'm not really looking for ways to farm her out. More a way of creating a calming weekly routine where I know I do viewings twice a week and see people for 3 hours in a row rather than walking up and down constantly. Then a block of time to do admin etc. I think we are just struggling because DH and I do everything between us with zero outside support. Like tonight. He is currently sitting around waiting for the people using the place tonight to go home so he can come back and be with me. We just need to get this stage over and things will improve.

I'm working this weekend but not at the pub. They rudely ignored my email this week asking about hours. But to be honest I don't like it there anyway. It's hard, dirty work for min wage and in 4 years of employing people I never treated anyone the way I have been there....:(

f0xh0les

Wish I were nearer Bobs, I'd take her off your hands for 3hrs twice a week! When we were in Salford there was a Surestart centre that you could book them into but I think that has all been done for now. They put on a free creche for practically everything - free salsa lessons in the afternoons, sewing classes, baby massage, free swimming - it was great, as we were classed as 'an inner city area of urban deprivation'. Busiest I have ever been! But most of the people who used the free childcare left them and went back home to watch JK and get their nails done.

Shame you can't network with another mum (who isn't a nutter) and arrange one afternoon a week of child swapping, that or a teenage cousin!

I know how you feel about doing it alone, my MIL has changed 4 nappies and taken my 4 to the park twice while I was showing people around the house we were selling and they invited themselves over for a week (40 minutes of her life). I am never allowed to forget what a hands on Grandma she is. I am truly blessed (that the Irish Sea is between us).

Bobarella

f0xh0les wrote: »

Wish I were nearer Bobs, I'd take her off your hands for 3hrs twice a week! When we were in Salford there was a Surestart centre that you could book them into but I think that has all been done for now. They put on a free creche for practically everything - free salsa lessons in the afternoons, sewing classes, baby massage, free swimming - it was great, as we were classed as 'an inner city area of urban deprivation'. Busiest I have ever been! But most of the people who used the free childcare left them and went back home to watch JK and get their nails done.

Shame you can't network with another mum (who isn't a nutter) and arrange one afternoon a week of child swapping, that or a teenage cousin!

I know how you feel about doing it alone, my MIL has changed 4 nappies and taken my 4 to the park twice while I was showing people around the house we were selling and they invited themselves over for a week (40 minutes of her life). I am never allowed to forget what a hands on Grandma she is. I am truly blessed (that the Irish Sea is between us).

You are so sweet. Just reading your post has made me feel really happy.

I am sorry to hear you haven't had any support. It is bittersweet when you have children. To me my pair are my universe. And always will be. Not all people seem to feel that bond. But I would say it's their loss.
That made me giggle about people using the free childcare to !!!! off home and do nothing:rotfl:

Bobarella

Evening

I worked both days this weekend so haven't had much time to do anything else. OH did an amazing job looking after both the children. Some comedy moments like him nearly leaving the groceries in a coffee shop....but they survived.

I'm querying some phone charges with BT that have added up to £20. Very annoying as it was an urgent matter and I was calling and hanging up as soon as the voicemail kicked in. It was just an 0207 number...

This week ahead 'should' be a bit calmer. I have one meeting tommorow and one on Friday. But that's it till events this coming Saturday and Sunday.

Starting to prepare for DDs 1st birthday which isn't far off. She loves dogs at the moment. It seems the number one thing she notices and is excited about so I am thinking a dog cake. Need to get OH onto that one. He's amazing at art and design. My own efforts would be far less impressive.
We are also considering going with the cake smash trend. If you haven't heard of it you basically take pictures of your baby bashing up a fancy cake...I wouldn't let her do it to her main cake but maybe a 2nd cheap one just for the funny photos.

Right still have a load of laundry to get out of the washing machine. Rock and roll.

Bob

kirtsypoos

Hi Bob,

Hope you are feeling more rested today after your busy weekend at work.

I absolutely love the cake smash craze, it's lovely to just let them go mad and the textures and tastes must feel great for the little ones

K x

Bobarella

kirtsypoos wrote: »

Hi Bob,

Hope you are feeling more rested today after your busy weekend at work.

I absolutely love the cake smash craze, it's lovely to just let them go mad and the textures and tastes must feel great for the little ones

K x

My son is angling for the same for his birthday. Slightly less cute:rotfl:

Bobarella

God where to start. Feeling so churned up right to now. I have inadvertently upset some people and I can feel the hurt and outrage radiating in my direction but it truly is caused by matters out of my control. I can't really be more specific but suffice to say it's about the business. Of course. And it looks like it has messed up quite a large chunk of my forward revenue too.

On the other hand I had an excellent meeting today and another strand of my business looks likely to be very profitable. But you cant live on maybes.

At this moment in time I have enough in my business account to pay next month's rent. I have enough in planned events where a deposit has been taken to pay all overheads for October. And I have dribs and drabs coming in quite frequently now. 3 enquiries today.
IF the new stuff comes off then great but I have no guarantee right now. Plus the fall out from the ruck to process.

Sometimes I try to be all things to all people. And I know I just can't be.

But there have been lovely moments today too. Grateful to the lovely lady we sat next to on the bus who was so kind and happy to both the children.
Glad of the weather allowing lots of walking outside, for time in the playground and park
For a nice roast dinner

And on that note I need a cuppa before bed.

Bob

kirtsypoos

Oh Bob, you can't please everyone and if things are out of your control, that's just the way it is.

I'm so pleased you've managed to find the good in the day though - a lovely way to look at things

Bobarella

lego_mum wrote: »

Bob, sorry to hear that, hope that the fallout isn't as bad as you fear.

I can't believe that your dd is nearly 1 already, that year has flown and such huge changes during that time for you and your family. (I've never heard of the cake smash craze!!)

I know it is crazy how time flies. There have been many changes too your right. Look up #cakesmash on instagram, its very amusing:rotfl: