I swear, the two days a week I work from home are the only thing that keeps me sane. Mentally, I need those two days of being alone in the house to recharge. The flexibility I get from them is huge too- I throw laundry in or vacuum during breaks, can actually run errands or hop on the treadmill during lunch, tidy the house/return things to their places during phonecons, etc.
It definitely frees up time and energy on weekends, when we've got swim classes, birthday parties, Girl Scout events, church, etc. to work around.
And still, I feel like we're forever playing catch up with all of the school crap like fundraisers, the 100 days project, spirit week outfits, stuff like that. I'm starting to let a lot of that stuff go as needed, especially if DD isn't particularly enthusiastic about it.
I only have one kid, and I don't think I can handle anymore than that. We only put DD in one activity at a time, but she is only 3. Right now she's in gymnastics, which is only every other Saturday. I like that it's not every weekend so we can do other stuff those weekends. H also works every other weekend, so DD and I will usually go to the park (if it's nice) or to the library (if it's not nice). Sometimes she naps and sometimes she doesn't after lunch, but I make her have quiet time in her room either way. Then we can both have a break. We always have dinner together and then maybe watch a movie or something as a family. DD is usually in bed 7:30-8, so H and I will have a drink (if it's his weekend off) and watch something on TV. We try to do a date night once a month and go out to dinner or do something fun. Sunday nights I'm usually pretty tired so I try to go to bed early.
This is why I miss working more part time. I feel like I had such a better work/life balance. Those few extra hours I got at home during the week made it easier to get stuff done around the house ( laundry, cleaning organizing etc) which left weekends with more time for fun. Instead now I just say no to a lot of things we are invited to because there just isn't time to do it all. Right now it's just B with dance. I feel a little twitchy when I think about adding an activity for C.
WOUNDTIGHT You are not a failure! Everyone is different, circumstances are different for each family. If they're both doctors they might have a live in nanny or something.
I have a high energy kid, he is more of a handful than my two SDs together when they were little. I remember taking them to a nice restaurant and they behaved perfectly. I wouldn't take DS anywhere that doesn't have peanuts on the floor and as such, there will be no more. This is my limit thank you very much! Lol ((Hugs))
-Breakfast -throw a load of laundry in the washer -get everyone out the door and tidy up on the way out -Try to manage getting groceries with three kids. I usually complete my trip, -7.
[ I have a hard time grocery shopping with my two kids and having DH help I can't even fathom how you can grocery shop with 3 kids by yourself! Seriously that's amazing
Saturday - Up at 7:30, make breakfast for kids - H takes the girls grocery shopping, I clean the house - make bacon for everyone (it was going bad), prepare DD2's and my lunch (H made his and DD1's) - afternoon rest time for all of us 1:30-3ish - we all went to a park, then drove around - watched Spy Kids together - leftovers and bedtime routine
Sunday - H gets up with kids; I sleep in - H goes to yoga with kids; I go to gym - read for a while - make lunch and start crockpot for dinner - rest time - we all go to Whole Foods and overspend - I go to regular grocery store for a few things we forgot - take the kids bike riding - dinner & bedtime
WOUNDTIGHT You are not a failure! Everyone is different, circumstances are different for each family. If they're both doctors they might have a live in nanny or something.
I have a high energy kid, he is more of a handful than my two SDs together when they were little. I remember taking them to a nice restaurant and they behaved perfectly. I wouldn't take DS anywhere that doesn't have peanuts on the floor and as such, there will be no more. This is my limit thank you very much! Lol ((Hugs))
Thank you so much. You are kind. I know I shouldn't compare myself but damn: some people are superhuman!!