I've been writing this blog for nearly four years now, and I love looking back through old posts and reminiscing about the days when I had the peeps at home full time. How quickly things change. Hugo is at school three days a week, Elsa five. When they come home they run to the neighbour's and play on the street, with nary a glance back at their mama.
This year, as things get busier for me I have to remind myself to cherish those two days at home with Hugo and to be more mindful of his needs. I find I get swept up in lists and chores or doing work stuff. Hugo gets bored, gets whiney and then I get grumpy.
To get the balance right, I've decided that one day a week is just for Hugo. A Hugo and me day. We might go to a cafe ( my favourite ahem, not his) the park, the bike track, a hike. Anything really, so long as it's us time.
At first I thought this would be hard. To drop everything and just go, but it's not. It's easy and lots of fun. Today was so warm and sunny we grabbed some lunch from the Yo Yo Bakery in Cygnet and hit the beach. There was icy water to paddle in, fallen trees to climb, rocks and shells to collect and like most Tasmanian beaches, not a soul around. It was perfect.
How silly am I that I need constant (daily!) reminding to be present with my children. How sad I will be when they're all grown up and flown the coop. The lists and chores and work stuff will still be there, but they won't.
You are absolutly right...
ReplyDeleteWhen we get our mind set in the right places we can often make it work...
Yet another of your ideas I may have to pilfer.....xx
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteLove your Blog.
I think it's better to have purposeful daily reminders to spend special time with the kids than realise when that time is well and truly passed.
I'm completely new to this blogging caper by the way. And I'm so glad to have found yours because we are moving back to Tassie soon to pick up what we left behind, which was a fantastic lifestyle as you describe in your lovely posts.
I look forward to reading your posts to keep me inspired until we get back.
Oh and how I wish I had started a blog years ago like you had. I have so much to catch up on - oh well better late than never I guess!
I think I've been reading your blog for probably 3 of those years, love it!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for this reminder, my kids have been driving me mental all day while I've been trying to fit in some study around looking after them. I needed this post today :)
What a wonderful idea and a great reminder too. It is always so easy to get swept up in everything. I too am always reminding myself to put everything down and go play blocks, go for a walk or go to the park and soak up my little boy.
ReplyDelete:)
We visited that beach for the 1st time last year, it's quite perfect, sounds a perfect way to spend some Hugo & Mama time!
ReplyDeleteAnd it doesn't end with them growing up either Michelle. I try & have lunch once every couple of months with one of my big boys. Just Mum & son without all their brothers. It's lovely, especially when they pay!
ReplyDeleteMillie x
A lovely reminder to slow it down and spend some quality time with your children. I always find that we have so much fun out and about especially when I go at their pace and not mine.
ReplyDeleteLove this. I try (try!) to do the same. Whenever I feel put upon or overwhelmed by all the small requests, I try to remember to seize the day. I remind myself how it will be in five, ten, fifteen years when I am no longer central to their lives and how sad it would be if I had missed the chance to be close.
ReplyDeleteThis is a timely post for me to read ... lately I feel a bit as though I'm fighting against this stay at home Mum thing. It's one of the hardest jobs in the world! But also, one of most rewarding. How beautiful for hugo to get you for the whole day. Lucky boy! Kellie xx
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone in needing the reminder to be present, it's so easy to slip into the 'to-do' list mode, especially when the to-do list seems so very looooooong!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a gorgeous day for beach combing.
i felt like this today and have just got back from a long walk to the park with my two boys and on the way home two flat tyres !! still we had fun and we had a nice chat along the way.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog but finally posting a comment...Ditto ditto ditto! My youngest will be off 5 days a week in Nov, so I might just have to copy your idea sooner rather than later! Thanks for the reminder :)
ReplyDeleteI always need this reminder ... being a mum is damn hard work and its good to just take the time to be!!
ReplyDeleteSo true! I spend so much time saying "wait until I've finished doing this...."I love that you have set aside a whole day to hang out.. Thanks for the reminder to slow down a little and give the kiddies some more mum time.
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