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Help me find time!

4 replies

runsoncaffeine · 30/09/2018 09:54

Just that really. Advice from other mumsnetters needed - how do you cope with your busy lives?

DH and I are both full time teachers, kids in Yr 3 and reception. Just finding the weeks are flying by and we’re not doing anything that makes us happy. Week is out the house at 7.20 am, back in at 6pm and then it’s quick snack for the kids, story and bed at 7. We then do a couple of hours marking or planning and bed for us at 10 so we can cope with the next day.

Saturdays are swimming lessons and making sure the kids get their homework done. Swimming is the only ‘club’ they do which also makes me feel guilty as my daughter’s friends do gymnastics, dance, Brownies but we just haven’t got the time to fit those in. I also feel guilty as we can’t do tea play dates like her friends and she often feels left out. Luckily DS isn’t interested in extra stuff! Today is visiting my mum (who is in a home) and then DH’s mum who is elderly but lives alone and then it’s back to Monday and it starts all over again!

Just feel we’re living for the holidays which is the bonus of teaching but I just wish we could get that balance during term time.

I know I’m having a pity party and hope it doesn’t come across as all ‘woe is me’. I am looking for some helpful tips to organise our lives, I can’t imagine anything changing at the moment and am hoping a stranger’s perspective can give us some clarity!

OP posts:
OoohSmooch · 30/09/2018 10:00

Take back a weekend day, come rain or shine (but best when it's not raining!) my parents used to take us out for the day, could be the the coast, to a national trust, a miniature railway, anything really. We still all try and do it now, with each of us having our own little ones. We have a lunch out (or you could do a picnic!) and then finish with a cheap and cheerful dinner out!

Make the swimming lessons early or stop them for a bit so you're not a slave to it. Don't feel guilty for not doing loads of clubs, spending time together going out as a family....that has stayed with me my whole life. Not the brownies I did on a Wednesday night!

runsoncaffeine · 30/09/2018 10:12

A day out sounds like a dream!

Swimming is relatively early at 10 but just seems to eat into the day especially when have to factor in homework time - homework took 2 hours yesterday! 😳 Maybe I need to be rebellious and say ‘stuff it’!

OP posts:
OoohSmooch · 01/10/2018 09:52

You need to be rebellious and say stuff it!

Where abouts in the UK do you live? After swimming at 10, you can leave at 12 and be somewhere by 1-2.

Don't let homework and obligations stop you, fit all those things in on Sunday, do online shopping if you don't already and stop planning/marking on at least two nights of the week so you can chill out together.

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OoohSmooch · 01/10/2018 09:54

Ps kid in year 3 and reception, 2 hours seems a lot for homework at that age. Spread it out maybe, a bit Friday night and the rest Sunday before going out to see grandparents.

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