Stopping the backsliding… a family of four no longer living beyond their means

Bluegreen143

Hello all! 

Absolutely love Vinted, so impressed by managing to get a whole holiday wardrobe so cheap. Will look and see if I have anything worth selling.

Money has been steadily flowing out of the bank accounts in an alarming rate as we prepare for our holiday, had to buy the kids swimwear which arrived yesterday. I also bought a gift for my new nephew, due at the end of the month, but want to pick up a couple of books for him too 🥰. (A hardback nursery rhyme compendium and also a collection of fairy tales - both were/are extremely loved and well used in our house!). 

It’s also been extremely busy at work so the whole week feels like a bit of a whirlwind. 

Still, not long now til nearly two weeks off! (I’m only abroad for a week, but have a few days off when we are back, too). 

As the kids get older, Red and I are trialling taking more annual leave off together and less handing off between us for childcare. The obvious implication is that the kids will have more days this summer when they need to entertain themselves while I work. 

They are both creative, active and self-sufficient, so I think will manage well, and they can go out to play with the boy across the road, but I’d like to help Monkey develop a creative hobby he can reach for indoors for rainy days. He does very well with active/outdoor play, and he reads, but I always think everyone needs an creative outlet too as they get older, and while for little kids this is naturally playing pretend/with toys, at 9.5 he is ageing out of always wanting to play in this way. I know for many boys of this age gaming becomes their default indoor activity but this is not a habit I want him to develop at this age (he hasn’t got a device which works to game on anyway). 

Anyway, I want Red to teach him whittling or wood carving, but the issue is he may not be able to do this unsupervised while I work… I’ll need to speak to Red and get a feel for whether this is OK (Monkey is experienced and competent at using tools in general so this isn’t as wild as it sounds). OR he could start teaching him guitar, as Monkey has a child sized one. Basically, I need Red to support as I can’t help with these 🤣. I’d also like to teach him to cook/bake more meals this summer. 

I do have a couple of summer rules floating around in my head which I’d like to implement. The first is to address the fact that the kids tend to move around the house while I’m working, building forts with all the furniture, doing craft projects or science projects, and not tidying up before moving on. I don’t want to stifle their play as it gives me peace while I’m working, but it is rather demoralising to have to clean up multiple forts and craft projects at the end of the day. So I think I’m going to just let them go for it but make the rule that everything must be tidy at 6pm, no messy play is to happen after 6pm (they can read, go outdoors or play in their rooms after that point) and they need to have it tidy by 6pm to earn the TV time the next day. 

I also want them to do a set amount of daily reading each day but will need to consider how to implement it, as Bambi is only really on the cusp of being able to read to herself (mainly just managing the slightly dull beginners phonics picture books) so it’s a bit trickier for her. But even if she just uses the time to leaf through picture books and retell herself the story etc, rather than actually read that would be fine.

fionaandphil

I had forgotten you have booked to go away, it comes around quickly. I bet you're really looking forward to it with this really wet weather we are having.

Our library had reading challenges over summer which always helped with summer reading as they could get badges, certificates etc. They also had events on which went with these themes so the kids wanted to go to the library every week which meant they read loads.

weenancyinAmerica

When I was younger, I used to love looking at children's picture dictionaries and reference books. I know Usborne Press put out some wonderful ones that you can grow into - looking at pictures to start and then learning new words. Have you ever considered seeing if Monkey would like to assemble some models or make a small castle or fort. My father was always assembling model cars and trains. 

Spendless

At monkey's age my son liked Lego but he never had the kits, he had a box of blocks and created his own. His absolute favourite though was K'nex and he made all sorts of things with it again of his own creation. We'd been gifted it by my friend who had older boys who'd outgrown it.

I cant think what theyre called but you can get cards and you create a story around the pictures shown. 

Bluegreen143

Thanks all, great ideas! 

Yes, this terrible weather is making us look forward to the holiday even more 🙂.

Work is incredibly busy the next two weeks until we go, so I’ll have well-earned the rest! 

Aiming to keep the purse closed whenever possible this week as we really should now have all the holiday clothes etc that we need. Red and I did splash out on some new kids’ books, sticker/puzzle books, fidget toys etc for the plane (and to use for quiet time while there) so I’m conscious that the spending has already begun and we’re not even there…

I have been sensible and returned some big folder/box type things I bought to put all their plane stuff in to keep it organised, it was silly really (I saw the idea on a blog and it looks great, but is unnecessary). Monkey can just put his stuff in his school bag. Bambi’s school bag is tiny, but she needs a new bag for next year anyway, so I will get that now and then it can also be her hand luggage. 

Tried out doing one big shop this week rather than two littler ones (though I have left some budget aside for a top up towards the weekend). 

Spent £104.53 on Groceries, £21 on various sunscreens for holiday, £16 on hats and sunglasses for Monkey (Bambi has plenty). 

Meal plan is:

M - lentil soup

T - chicken gyros & salad

W - I’m away for work; the family are having chicken pesto pasta

Th - I’m away for work; the family are going to have a MacDonalds due to the tight turnaround to get Bambi to Rainbows after Red picks her up from the friend who is getting them after school

F - mandarin chicken and fried rice 

Sa - I’m out for dinner with friends; the family are having meatball spaghetti

Su - steak pie, new potatoes, veg 

Bluegreen143

SPENDING ROUND UP 09/06

Joint account - no joint account spending yesterday ✔️ 

Personal account - bought myself a bar of chocolate at the little Tesco before Cubs pick up 🙈 £1.30

Resisted - the urge to buy a set of shorts/top to go with my holiday clothes. No!! I have enough!!

zcrat41

 Buddy Oliver has a fab CBBC series about cooking. My 10 year old has his book and makes things from it herself - it’s brilliant 

LittleGem

Hope all is well with you @Bluegreen143

angela110660

Have really missed the updates but everyone's life is busy as we know. Hope all okay as you head into school summer hols.

fionaandphil

I'm sure being in Scotland you will already be on holiday - have a great time!