This parenting thing; it gets a bit tough at times doesn’t it? I don’t mind admitting that since the end of the summer holidays, times have been a little demanding.
Don’t get me wrong. Nothing disastrous has happened. I simply think that Toddler Adams has had a major developmental spurt. Quite understandably, she needs more attention and wishes to undertake more stimulating activities.
This is, of course, a positive thing. Even so, when I’m unable to meet her request to go swimming/to the park/have an ice cream/eat pizza/fight dragons/climb Everest/etc.  and have to deal with the resulting tantrums, well, you know, it gets a bit tiring.
Meanwhile Helen, her big sister, has just started Year Two. The quantity and variety of homework has increased massively. Fitting this into the routine so it has minimal impact on the rest of the family is a struggle (something I wrote about just the other day).
To be fair, both kids have settled into the term time routine with relative ease. Even so, I have felt for some time like I’m constantly trying to fit square pegs into round holes. I know that’s a dreary old cliché to use, but it’s true. I’ve regularly felt this as a parent, but things have definitely stepped up a gear since September.
Over the next couple of months life is going to get even more interesting. A big family wedding is on the horizon, the second in three months, and we’re about to have a new kitchen installed. This is going to involve bringing down a spine wall and will leave us with no kitchen for a couple of weeks.
What I’d ideally like to do is go away for a weekend and recharge my batteries (another horrible cliché, but once again, very true). Thing is, going away for a weekend just isn’t possible is it? I may be tired, feeling a bit drained and concerned about how we’ll cope when the building work starts….but the family needs me. I’ll get by and muddle on through. I always do!
Is anyone else feeling drained, having spent the past few weeks getting the kids back into the term time routine? More to the point, anyone fancy putting this family up for a couple of weeks in November?
Pic credit: Chad Fitz. Reproduced under Creative Commons agreement Soured from Wikimedia.
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14 thoughts on “Having a bit of a tough time”
While not school-age, with a newborn and toddler in the house I can completely empathise with how tough this parenting m’larky can be.
The thing I keep in mind is that there’s a season for everything and “this, too, shall pass”! Although a weekend off would be nice too 🙂
#TwinklyTuesday
Oh it will pass. It’s taken a while to learn how to balance the demands of a toddler and a school kid. It’s imply that their needs have changed and so my goal posts have shifted! I’ll muddle on through as always.
A weekend away always sounds great until it happens and you need a rest to recover from it. I would put a tent up in the garden and just live off take aways whilst the kitchen is getting done. Whatever you do, enjoy, and I hope you get your batteries charged, you deserve it.
Very good point Tony. You have to pakc, unpack, travel there, get held up in traffic, forget something. My word, I’m getting tired just thinking about it!
Wonderfully honest and well written piece as usual John.
I certainly empathise with you, H has just started school and the homework duties have also made us re-evaluate our tried and tested / rigid evening routine having continually struggled to fit everything in since September. Even more so now little D has started Nursery and Mrs F gone back to work. Mrs F and I become ships that pass in the night due to having to split and take on tasks separately in order to get all of them completed. By the time everything is taken care off, we are fit for nothing other than bed…. only to do it all again the next day.
I’m putting this little downturn for us to the closing nights and the feeling of running out of time…. It’ll time to batten down the hatches and dig deep…
Thanks for sharing
Glad you could relate to it. I thought many would. Its not like there’s been some disaster, just that the routine has become very demanding indeed. Things’ll get easier in time, of this I’m sure.
Ok I won’t joke about how you’re just making excuses not wanting to climb Everest.
Seriously, it’s funny isn’t it the composite ‘bits’ we glean (or think we do) about someone. I don’t know you well as a blogger but you always come across as quite stoic in a very British way. I was quite surprised – pleasantly – reading this because, well, your struggle is just so normal and relatable and identifiable isn’t it? Yet many of us don’t write about it. I’ve been wanting to but actually was so overwhelmed by blog/house/kids/everything that I couldn’t even manage! If I ever figure out how to balance it all, I’ll be sure to let you know! Right now, I’m about 3 jobs behind so far today.
And don’t even get me started on the homework thing. They don’t even need it before a certain age! Pfffft.
Best of luck with the kitchen renovation. Deep breaths and cups of tea, mate…deep breaths and cups of tea… Sorry for the long ramble and thanks for linking to #BabyBrainMonday
Stoic? Yes, I think I can be in fairness. The last few weeks, in fact especially this week, have been particularly draining. Nothing I can’t cope with, just very demanding. It’ll all be fine in the end!! Or, at least, once the kitchen renovation has been finished.
Oh it really is tiring! You’re not alone, I’ve struggled to get an after school routine it’s dinner and year 3 homework and then reception homework which my four year old just doesn’t want to do, books, things to remember and lunch boxes too. It’s proving a struggle for me and I admit hiding under my duvet on the sofa more times in a week than I can count!
I think we have a lot in common! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Aaah it’s not just you John — really it isn’t! My two are SO demanding at the mo — and it’s knackering some days.
One word of advice — DON’T go for a weekend break to recharge your batteries!! I did that a couple of weekends ago and came back more knackered than before I went!!!! It’s taken me two weeks to get over it!!! 🙂
Thanks for linking up with us on #TwinklyTuesday 🙂
My word, such a difference of opinion. Some people think going away is a great idea, others think it’s a nightmare. I just don’t know what to think!!
Sorry to hear that times are tough. All I can say is having just had a good whole 24 hours away with hubby (for the first time in over 6 years!) I’d advise you to do it do it do it! Haven’t felt this good in a long time. Hope this week isn’t too challenging 🙂
Alas, it’ll have to ait until after half term….but I’m hoping I can make that happen! As it happens I had 24 hours away from family life at the weekend. It was, however, a stag do. They are never relaxing!