My day off; just a moan

[ratheralotofnonsense]

One of the frustrating things about parenting is how much organising it takes.

I am out on Saturday with friends. Haven’t done this for months so excited. Pil are kindly coming to look after the children.

But we’re leaving early so I’ll have to have both children up, dressed, teeth cleaned and breakfast eaten before 9. Lunch will need to be ready and all the bedtime stuff like pyjamas and toothbrushes and so on.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll enjoy it but … I am looking forward to them just not needing so much care!

One of the frustrating things about parenting is how much organising it takes.

What you're describing is single parenting.

Obviously you're still in touch with your inlaws but is the kids father still in touch?

Could he do more?

where DH in all this? is he away all weekend?
you are not unreasonable to get stuff sorted and yes time out sometimes feels like more work than you save by being away

So don’t do it on Saturday! Unless your Pils are unusually helpless people, aren’t they capable of getting some toast into children and supervising toothbrushing?

The responses on here are weird.

I totally get it. I feel the same. I'm not complaining - it is what it is and if I get time away, that's a win - but yes, when they're younger, that relentless need to prepare ahead is always a bit exhausting. I used to miss the days when I could just get up, get myself sorted and eave.

Good news... it gets eaiser. Mine are now teens (almost in DD's case) and honestly, DH and I are finding it a revelation. We can even go out in the EVENING. Spontaneously. It's mindblowingly refreshing! ]

There’s nothing weird about pointing out that the OP is unnecessarily martyrising herself by behaving as if the PILs are coming to conduct a military inspection of her childfree rather than babysit. If I were babysitting for family who were departing for the day at 9 am, I’d expect to arrive to find children in pyjamas eating toast, maybe watching cartoons, and some basic instructions about the shape of the day, no more.

I don’t think I said it was a big deal. More just an acknowledgement of the workload involved in parenting.

I thought it was a harmless thread too 😂

Thanks for the encouragement; I do need reminding I won’t always be having to do the things I am doing.

How old are you kids? and what is your husband doing on all of this as you say we are going out but I need to get the kids ready?

I meant my friends and I by the ‘we’ apologies.

So why isn't your husband having the kids? He may be at work, you just haven't said

You don’t have to do it on Saturday! Just leave out the party stuff! The pils will figure the rest out!

Because he isn’t able to unfortunately.

Gosh I don't do anything when PIL are babysitting. What age are the kids? Maybe when they were younger I would leave clothes/ PJ's out depending on what's needed but mine are 6 and 4 and know where their clothes live. In your scenario I would definitely have present and card sorted but everything else is up to them to figure out.

I would leave their clothes out but not dress them....let them have a chill morning. Brush their teeth and do them a fun Saturday brekkie for a treat! Make out like they are having a special morning and get yourself ready and make a sharp exit....Your PIL can dress them when they arrive.

Try to give yourself a break and enjoy the day. But yes as a parent its hard to just let go. Especially if you dont have support or have only limited support....you stay on auto pilot.

I actually think it would be wiser to leave all of that for the PILs to sort when they get there, OP - it will give them more to do to pass the time. It’ll feel like a very long day for everyone if the children are dressed, fed and keen to go out or do some activity before 9am.