I was starting to feel quite down about the whole being a mummy thing. Sure, I could look after the boy perfectly well, and even the baby. Just not both of them at the same time.
Take, for example, the school run. In Mr A’s first five weeks I’d barely been able to get it together and was leaning heavily on the husband. Only once or twice had I managed to get the boy to school and it seemed that for the most part, when I managed to pick him up, the husband was waiting with Mr A in the car. We’d be lucky if we could make it to the supermarket after school, let alone do anything fun together. Other mothers could manage with two kids or more, some of them even younger than the boy. Why couldn’t I?
Then last week it all started to come together. On the first day back at school the baby had a good morning feed, the boy got ready relatively quickly (as in it didn’t take him the best part of half an hour to get dressed) and even I was ready by the time he should leave. So off we went, the three of us, to get the boy to school. That afternoon I managed to convince the baby that he should have a feed at a time that would allow us to get out of the house and up to the school on time, and also let us get back in time for the next one. Miracles.
The wonder continued all week. We won’t mention that the boy only started back at school on Tuesday.
On Wednesday afternoon the three of us managed to make it out to the boy’s swimming class and on Friday afternoon we managed to pull off a progress discussion with the boy’s teacher, a trip to the park and a round of the supermarket before the baby wanted feeding again. The best bit about Friday’s success was that we managed it all without the husband being around. He’d nicked off to Belgium for the day and was gone before we got up that morning. Needless to say, I was feeling on top of the world.
So, Monday morning when I really needed more sleep, I didn’t feel so bad about asking the husband to do the school run. It’s not that I can’t do these things, but more that I’m lucky that I’ve got the support not to have to. When I think about it, we’re working quite well in this parenting partnership and with me normally being the one out of the house at work, we’ve practically got it down to a fine art. It’s just taken me a while to realise that.
It is so hard, you need to plan, plan and prepare oh and a little more planning!!
I got all the clothes out the night before, whilst MAdDad always made sure the bag was stocked with everything we would need. The first thing I did was pop my clothes on. I also get breakfast ready the night before and still do.
It is hard, but it feels great when a pplan comes together
Glowstars Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 09:51
Clearly that’s where we’re going wrong. Neither of us are very good at planning (or to be honest, following through with plans). Hell, between the two of us we can’t even get the boy’s lunch made the night before.
blimming lucky you are uh?!?!?!?!
.-= Urbanvox said The Mystery Trip Unravelled (lol) =-.
Glowstars Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 09:52
yup yup yup!
Do you know looking after two children is TWICE as hard! Sounds like you are doing brilliantly – and I also think TheMadHouse has some excellent points – will be borrowing them for myself!
.-= Tattie Weasle said Being Nice =-.
Glowstars Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 09:52
That’s good to know – everyone else seems to make it look twice as easy. I guess appearance is everything.
Sounds good! ‘A’ sounds like a really good baby (compared with many you hear about who scream and cry all day long; my brother was one of those).
One of my best friends from uni has just had her second baby and she’s only 1 year after having had her first! Must be sooo hard with 2 of them that age. Plus her husband is away working really long hours most of the time. I keep wanting to call her but put it off as think I’ll call at a bad time.
.-= Milo said Vertigo =-.
Glowstars Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 09:53
After – give her a chance to get them to bed and find a bottle of wine.
Well done. It does get easier – I was where you are nine months ago now I – almost and mostly – have it under control. I had to do a big learn involving dropping of standards, understanding my limits and working out what really mattered. x
.-= Ellen A said a dirty protest, being prepared and a bit of a worry =-.
Glowstars Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 09:53
Come look at our house, you’ll see our standards couldn’t get much lower!
Yes, well done! It does get easier with time and as baby gets older.
PS I’ve tagged you over on my blog. =)
.-= If I Could Escape said Dennis the Menace … =-.
Glowstars Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 09:54
I was beginning to wonder if I’d ever win that award! Ta!
it sounds like you are doing really well! i can’t imagine having to get my two both dressed, fed and out in time for something as early as school starting! We’re lucky if we can be out of the house before 11am!
.-= Heather said My First Naked Party =-.
Glowstars Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 09:57
Now you see why I didn’t have them closer together. And I bet your nearest school’s miles away anyway.
Oh well done! In the same way as no one realises how hard it is having a new baby, no-one REALLY realises how hard it is having a baby AND an older child. You’re clearly doing amazingly!!!
.-= Plan B said Spot the difference =-.
Glowstars Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 09:57
You know, the older child is definitely much harder work than the baby. Especially as he has absolutely no patience!
Sounds like everything is coming together