Oops! I've fallen off the OS wagon.....

dannahaz

Baby steps Lillibet. DOn't think you have to get on top of everything in one go. Write your list, then choose ONE thing to concentrate on over the next week or so.

Ideally this would be something that will either make a big difference to you psychologically (like clearing the table), or which would have a positive knock on effect on other things (like meal planning for a week).Then break that one thing down into small steps that you can tackle bit by bit, even if its just 15 mins a day.

Good luck xxx

MrsMW

I was wondering where you had got to. I don't post very often but I like to keep up with everyones goings on.
Sorry you're having a bad time, like everyone else says just take things in baby steps, be nice to yourself and don't worry about housework. I know from your previous posts that you seem like a lovely family, just try to enjoy Spud while he is young. The time flies by and he will be grown up in no time, you can clean the house then.LOL.
Maybe worth having a word with the pharmacist, there are lots of herbal remedies for insomnia or a multivitamin may help a bit.
Enjoy Spud's birthday, just do an OS party with jam butties and jelly and custard.
Take care, hugs and good wishes.

Lillibet_2

The problem with doing an internet shop is being organized enough to do it...great idea in theory though & something I will work torwards! I used to do my shopping online when I was working, why didn't it occur to me that I could free up one evening a week by still doing it?:doh:

sexymouse

I think if you are to do one big task, then it should be to make your bedroom a relaxing place to be in. Make sure that you are not lying in bed looking at a load of clutter or washing etc, and this may help with the sleeping too. Another thing that you could try is to have a hot bath or shower before you go to bed, as this increases your body temperature, and your body then tries to cool itself down as it would do when you go to sleep. This sets the body up physically for sleep. I also put a couple of drops of lavender essential oil on my pillowcase (it is ok if it goes on your skin btw).

Aril

Hi Lillibet
I think we've all been there at some point or another particularly if you're someone like me who prides herself on being very organised and thinks she can achieve more than she can!! 2yo are hard work and busy little people!
Some practical advice...I used to find loading the machine up the night before used to help then all I had to do was flick the switch when I staggered downstairs for a quick cuppa. I used to have an evening set aside for ironing when the small person was in bed..I used to dig out what had to be done and then spend only an hour doing it whilst watching TV. Food shopping- I used to go out on my own on a Monday evening [in a strange kind of way it gave me a bit of a break] I used to write my weekly menu on my shopping list so I had it with me and could take advantage of any offers/tweak it if ingredients weren't available. My weekly menu plan was healthy but not too labour intensive...I only do recipes that are quick, easy, cheap and reliable. I also always did something easy peasy on shopping night!
The perfectionist in me still wanted to prove I could produce HM cakes etc so I got round that by making stuff like chocolate crunchies and flapjacks..basically anything you stirred all in at once and bunged in a tin:D
The other important thing is to have me time...which may only be 30mins a day but I used to do small cross stitch kits otherwise I felt overwhelmed and like I wasn't achieving anything. Finally I regularly put myself to bed when the small person was having a nap...it really helped me recharge my batteries. I found when he hit 2 he would sit for 15 mins quite happily in his highchair scribbling with his crayons, play with megablocks or draw on his blackboard. Makes him sound like a paragon but he wasn't...his fav trick was to empty all the bins. I only ever threw away one red lipstick...never again after he'd redecorated my newly repainted bedroom!!
Aril

Bargain_Rzl

sexymouse wrote: »

I think if you are to do one big task, then it should be to make your bedroom a relaxing place to be in. Make sure that you are not lying in bed looking at a load of clutter or washing etc, and this may help with the sleeping too.

That's a fab suggestion sexymouse :T

Is there some childproof device on the market to help with the power socket problem?

Mariel

I'm in a similar boat myself to be honest. A few months ago I started working pretty much full time (well school hours really) and I have found lots of things have fallen by the wayside. I don't cook nearly as much and spend a lot more money on groceries as I haven't the time or energy to hunt around for bargains. On the positive side though I am gradually getting used to being out of the house so much and hopefully eventually with a little bit of effort theings will fall into place again. Don't beat yourself up, just do what you can.

Hardup_Hester

Just remember, none of us is superwoman & when Spud grows up he won't remember how tidy or not the house was.
Hugs
Hester

dronid

When life get’s you down, Mrs Brown. And things seem hard or tough.
And people are stupit, obnoxious or daft, and you feel like you’ve had quite enough….:D

Take it easy. You’re doing really, really well, :A particularly with a young child and going back into work. I think you shouldn’t be so hard with yourself – OS is about doing what you can with what you have, money, food, time and energy.:A

You probably need to lay down some updated ground rules now you’re not at home. Maybe things like:

Thursday – or another night is mine!:D
I will do three things that make me very happy a week:D
I will say no to others.:eek:

The other thing is some efficiency planning. You aren’t available the way you were before. You will need time to adjust. Washing can’t happen when it needs to be done. It has to be done when you can do it. Same with the shopping. Online is great because you can take the time you would traipse around to meal plan ahead. And meal planning will not be the same as it was before as you can’t cook a meal that takes 3 hours as you’re not available. Quick, simple and bulk cookery so that you can have it at least a couple of times.

We should probably have a Fast and Furious section on OS for people who want to OS but need some tailored guidance for limited time! I'd probably benefit from it myself!

Oh yes - if your Mum wants a party for a 2 year old then get her to do it! Particulalrly if you’re taking her to Paris for hers!:rotfl:

aimeelister

Lillibet wrote: »

things like the phone or alarm clock are randomly off & we are missing important calls/waking up etc.

Sorry only a very quick suggestion and may sound a bit mad. But to not worry about the alarm clock and phone i know its not totally OS but buy a battery alarm clock and an old fashioned corded phone. That way you wont miss things. (then tape up the plug in bit for the phone!) My house regularly suffers from power cuts and i found that was the only way i wouldnt be late for work / miss calls etc. (After a powercut one night i didnt wake up till 10am having missed the start of an important meeting where people had tried to call me but couldnt :rolleyes: )

Lillibet you will get there and this is just the thing the OS community is for.:grouphug: When you have your list sorted and have worked through some of the more important things to you why not join us on the flylady thread to help with your cleaning. Lil_me has helped many more people by breaking it up into levels so you can always achieve something.