Missy’s full time working mum juggling act MF adventure

Bluegreen143

Take a break from social media Missy. (YouTube is just another form of social media). Instagram and YouTube are the worst offenders for creating discontent in your life in my opinion. 

Modern life can be hard and rushed. But was it really easier in the past, when you might have 10 children and have to grow, cook, make and mend everything yourself? 

Remember that some of the rushed aspects of modern life are choices and we can opt out. For instance, your kids don’t have to go to clubs. You can pay for school dinners or a cleaner, or request to cut your hours to 30 a week and finish at 3pm. You can get your kids to make their own packed lunches. You can give up working out and take bike rides with your kids instead to clubs to tick two boxes at once. You can choose not to have pets. You can move somewhere smaller or cheaper. You can batch cook all your meals once a week and then pull them out the freezer every night. You don’t have to bake cakes or make jam. Some of these solutions probably sound horrible but my point is - it’s good to recognise that almost everything is a choice and you’re not trapped ❤️

There are some solutions (maybe some of the things I put above don’t sound horrible) but it’s overwhelming to make more than once change at a time and it’s still not going to look like floaty dresses wandering through the countryside. That’s just marketing! (And I definitely get sucked in by this kind of content too, which is why I mainly avoid it now). 

PS - in case I sound unsympathetic- I’m really not and I relate to everything you’re saying. I think we have to be realistic that life won’t be super slow right now AND make wee changes where we can to feel more content. Both parts are important!

jwil

Those videos aren't real Missy.  If they are making you miserable, then it would be better to stop watching them.

Your day sounds pretty typical for a working parent, and it's just something we need to get through.  You need to ensure everyone is pulling their weight though, as it sounds like you are trying to do everything for everyone.

missymoo81

Thank you everyone for your kind words, understanding and reality check. I know you’re all right but I just needed a moan! And I get that my choices have led me to this life and that I can change them. It’s just frustrating sometimes. I don’t go in fb or insta, and thought YouTube was safe as I use it for recipes and ideas etc. 

so I worked today, managed as I said to do all of the washing and change the bed. I took Roo to the hospital, cost £3.50 in parking, and refrained from having coffee. We cane home and made jam, and really scrummy blueberry muffins.

its OHs birthday Monday and I’ve booked a day out with his family, which hasn’t been cheap and I’ve got him a ‘big present’ but I don’t know what to get him for little things. I don’t want to buy him rubbish I want good stuff he’ll use.

tomorrow will be an expensive day, I’m getting the bags and water bottles and stationery, and shoes for back to school. But I’ve planned for it, and it’s my favourite day! So that should be good. 

Going to chill and try and not be grumpy. Thanks again.

Bluegreen143

Sounds like a productive day!

I find wee bits hard for men too. Ideas - his favourite foodie treats (hot sauces, chocolates, nice crisps, whatever is a treat for him). Or I’ll get a small bottle whiskey, couple of craft beers, something like that. 

I recently got my husband a small but really nice pocket knife for camping, things like torches or tools can make good gifts too. Or I get boxers, socks etc which he always needs. 

missymoo81

Had a lovely day getting all the stationery and school stuff today. this is a day I usually look forward to as I did as a kid. And it didn’t disappoint. OH came with me for the first time, and bless him, he was patient and helpful and paid for some things, which was nice. Difficult for me to share my special time with the children and he did well. Managed to get everything on the lists, my budget is somewhat depleted.

We did have lunch out, this has been planned for weeks and cost £55 but was lovely and we didn’t need dinner.

Been looking at ways to help me and my life and I’ve found some good ideas which I’m really happy with. So I’ll try and put them into place.

Bluegreen143

Do share if you find any ideas which work Missy. Despite my rather tough love the other day I’m certainly feeling the term time busyness (as we are back now in Scotland).

missymoo81

A lot of it is about making my time my own or making life easier. Like when I’m driving home from work, listening to a podcast rather than silence or whatever is on the radio, to switch from work to home.

On a Wednesday when I work from home to slow cook a meal for Thursday. As I know Thursday we have club at 6.30pm. And on a Sunday do the same for Monday. 

On a Wednesday workout at lunchtime and also on my break book my shopping slot for Sunday to guarantee I get one.

Go for a walk on a Friday afternoon. Enjoy being outside.

When I’m at work, I will walk outside to the canteen for a cuppa rather than just going to the tea room. Actually take a lunch break and sit outside under the trees with the ducks.

I’m going to stop scrolling on my phone in the evenings constantly looking for ways on here or on YouTube to improve my life. And read or do dualingo or sew instead. 

Have a me time bath on a Wednesday evening, shave legs and paint toenails to feel better about myself.

Work outside sometimes when I work from home.

Switch off from work as soon as 5.15pm comes. 

Eat around the table with the children as much as possible.

Only watch intentional stuff on tv rather than just have random stuff on in the background.

Just little things 

jwil

Lots of really good ideas there Missy.  Small things, but achievable and should make a nice difference

debtfreewannabe321

Love those ideas and it's the little things all added up that make the difference to our lives ♥️

missymoo81

Thanks @jwil and DFW. 

Just back from the city and getting OH’s birthday stuff, god I’ve spent so much money the last few days. With school stuff and birthdays, starting to feel a bit sick about it all. Still need to get a phone and a laptop for May and just found that Roos shoes he’s had since May no longer fit 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️, and I still owe OH lots for the holiday.

Need To budget and breathe and work out how next month looks!