to wonder if putting our children first is always wise?

[KatyTheCleaningLady]

I like to start a discussion I in the morning and then go to work so I have something to pop in on during the day.

Ok, the other day I felt guilty because I was physically exhausted and so blew off sports day in order to rest before a busy evening ferrying kids about.

I felt guilty because I felt like it's wrong not to suffer any inconvenience or discomfort for even the most trivial of my children's pleasure. I "should" suck it up and stand around in the cold watching races just so my kids see me there. But, why? How is it really good for an exhausted mother with aching feet to do this? Isn't it better for mum to be rested and happy at tea time?

Obviously, some things are so important that you carry on, regardless. I didn't cancel a client in order to rest: the money is important to the family. And, if the event had been something truly important, then it would be a different matter. I would stand cold and aching if it was truly important to the child's well being.

I see a lot of threads on here from exhausted, miserable mums who are burnt out and resentful about their lives. Is some of that due to prioritising the family over their own well being?

I think my children would rather have proper home cooked food than have me at sports day. Just as well as I haven't attended one in years, almost a decade.

I do manage to chop onions and fold towels.

Tantrum and LaQueen we care. I aim for all this, but just can't follow through on it. So I'll fold the towels beautifully, in thirds so they look gorgeous and them stuff them into the cupboard because they don't quite fit properly.

But I have just hovered and lit scented candles (naice ones) because guests arriving any minute and I don't want them to know too much about our hovelish ways.

I love folding laundry.
I love having 5 neat piles and then separating them into tshirts, shorts, jeans, sports kit, socks, pants, jumpers.

It's a peculiar thing.

I don't fluff and fold

I'm feeling a bit of a conversion coming on to ready chopped veg - have dabbled, but might fully embrace as a lifestyle choice

Embrace it juggling

It will change your life

(I have scented drawer liners too)

I think ready chopped Veg is a middle class affectation
Carrot sticks,chopped veg. Fuck sake don't be so feckless
Unless you want to have notion of too busy,too yummy to chop

God no, not too busy or too yummy to chop.

Can't be bothered to chop more like.

Tantrums ....

Not sure I'll ever have neatly folded piles of freshly laundered clothes though - but I might have less wasted veg and get nearer to 5 a day for us all

What does busy life intrude to extent can't chop dinner

It's not busy-ness scottish

I just don't want to do it. I'd rather have a cup of coffee and fold my towels.

And find the carrots are one of the worst offenders scottish - because I always feel I ought to give them a proper peel, and it's too much of a faff.

juggling that's ok. You don't have to love laundry to use pre prepped veg

Peel?peel what?ivenever peeled carot in ma puff
Tatties?aye peel them carrot ,no

That's what my SIL said scottish - just chop em and throw them in the pan - that was a bit of a revelation too

& right back at ya @ Tantrums

But nooo juggling - you yet one of those Y shaped peelers and they absolutely glide along. Three carrots in ten seconds. Very satisfying. And then you can listen to the guinea pigs whistling for the peelings and feed then while stroking their noses. Now I want to peel a carrot.

Peel a carrot?why?wash it yea.
That's all

How will the DC learn to cook if they are served M&S stuff?
I learnt to cook from my DP and so did my DC .
Veg takes a few minutes to prepare and is fresh.
M&S is OK if very busy but I prefer a baked potato or cheese on toast to anything they can come up with.

Ahh, your guinea's sound cute apatchy

Heh. I love the 'idea' of an extremely tidy house but I find all the tidying needed just boring. I'd be fine with it if I could have regular cleaners.!

On the other hand not a fan of pre chopped, don't think it tastes the same. I don't bother peeling carrots though. Happy to eat them as they are. Husband introduced me to mashed potato with the peel too!! I really enjoy cooking, and knowing what goes into all we eat.

I would like to aim to be at childrens school events though. Ideally I'd have progressed to a career where I could just nip out during the day.

Oldraver please tell me you did not just say that

oldraver did you actually realise what you just said?
Honestly?
Are you not very well? Because I cannot imagine why you would say a thing like that tbh.