My children are my absolute world and I love them more than I ever knew was humanly possible. I enjoy every moment with them and I feel blessed to be their mother.
However, when they go to bed I get such a feeling of relief! To some this may sound awful but for most I think you will agree. The moment you know they are happily snoring away you do an imaginary happy dance inside your head!
So what do parents do when the children go to bed?
- Watch the monitor – We have cameras in both the girls’ rooms. It is like Big Brother, especially when we can watch Little G talking to her toys or reading them a story! Call me a pessimist but for a good half an hour I sit and wait for the little red dots to start flashing to alert me that Baby L has woken up.
- Housework – As soon as I have a spare minute I look around and notice all of the mess. I busy myself tidying away the destruction of the day and put another wash load in the machine. It astounds me as to how much washing a baby produces. I swear the loads have doubled since we went from a family of 3 to a family of 4!!
- Stare at the TV – I don’t think I have actually watched a TV program in full since Little G was born. Even if I don’t have to go back upstairs for the 100th time I cannot concentrate on anything, my mind is constantly on the go!
- Manage the household bills online – Evenings are the only time I manage to sit and organise our finances. I am still not sure why I am the one that does it all seeings as Mr F is an accountant!! Laziness is my guess….
- Sleep– I have not had a decent sleep in just over 3 years now. I am so very tired. They say you never sleep properly again once you become a parent and I can fully appreciate this. As soon as they are in bed all I really want to do is shut my eyes.
What should you really do?
- Relax – This is time to recharge your batteries and centre yourself ready for the following day. Do something for you, whether this is reading a book or having a bath.
- Talk – I know my mind is boggled with talk of Iggle Piggle and Peppa Pig by the end of the day. Spend time talking to your partner or your friends. Take time to reconnect with the adult world.
- Go out – I know, I know, this is a tough one. I have barely left my two and get very anxious with the idea of leaving them with someone else – especially as Baby L will only settle for me. Time off and away from the house is important. Take advantage of babysitters and leave the building!
Starting this blog has given me a sense of self. I am beginning to find who I am as a person again and am finding that I have more to talk to my husband about other than nappies and bottles! My evenings are beginning to be more about quality time being us rather than wasted time doing nothing in particular. I have had to make a conscious effort though but it is paying off. I am human again.
How do you spend your evenings?
Linking up with :
Steph @MisplacedBrit
Friday 1st of May 2015
A great reminder and an important choice to make... Lots of evenings get consumed with blogging... There has to be a lid on that somewhere too ;-) Great post.
Katy
Saturday 2nd of May 2015
Exactly, the world won't end if a blog post doesn't get written :-)
Tracey @ mummyshire
Saturday 13th of September 2014
What a good post and you're not the only one who does a little silent cheer when the last bedroom door is shut and there is silence from the children. It is important to take time off in the evenings and rediscover ourselves - unfortunately there's just aren't enough hours in the day sometimes! I try and take "off" two nights a week but even then it's a struggle! Glad that you're escaping thru the blog-it's a great way to get some adult time.
Katy
Saturday 13th of September 2014
Thank you Tracey :-) I am loving blogging and make time for myself every day now which has made me feel much more human! Definitely not enough hours in the day though- especially for someone like me who loves sleep!!!
Katie @mummydaddyme
Thursday 5th of June 2014
So true, it is awful but I also breathe a sigh of relief when they are in bed. But we are so busy and amazing all day being super Mum's, it's nice for a bit of time to yourself. ;0) ;0)
katy x
Thursday 5th of June 2014
Baby L is teething at the moment so is currently sitting with me on the sofa so no time to myself tonight haha! Bless her cotton socks. x