To think it is impossible to keep on top of house, work, dc AND now garden?

[thinkingmakesitso]

Just how do people do it? I am coming to the end of my first year as a lp and work f/t as a teacher. I have actually been surprised that having to do housework hasn't been THAT bad (H was sahp and did most of it before split), but that is largely because we are out most of the time.

Now, coming to the end of a two-week holiday, house is a mess as we have been in it more and have acquired a kitten, I have no more energy than I did at the start as dc have been getting up early, haven't done as much school work as I should, haven't yet done dc's homework, haven't redecorated the sitting room so it is now entering its third month with testers up everywhere, and now it is spring the garden rears its head.

Weeds are coming up everywhere, even where membrane and stones have been (professionally) put down , and just so many little bits of it need attention - I know nothing about it and it isn't huge but not properly 'done', so there are loads of little areas where weeds can spring up.

AIBU to think the garden is the one thing that makes everything just too much and I should just pave it - I get this vague feeling of doom and panic every time I go out there atm. I know it could be lovely as it is south-facing, but seems it never will be and it is just a source of stress.

Do you have a college nearby that offers courses in landscaping etc? You might find a student that would love a project for their portfolio.

I'm no longer a single parent but I work full time, have 3 dc, a dp that works away and I'm in awe that you manage to stay on top of the housework never mind the garden!

I brought my 9 year old some gardening gloves and tools and he goes out at weekends to weed and tidy. He loves it!

It's about priorities isn't it -ie your life has to work for you. I love gardening, and I enjoy spend time out there. But... my housework standards are very low. I do much less than most, I take every shortcut possible, I have a cleaner too. I don't wash towels as often as many on here, etc etc. And having testers on the walls for months would cause me no bother at all!

So decide what you want to do, and sod feeling like you have to do it all. Maybe make a post on the gardening topic for how to use that raised bed to suit the minimal time and effort you want to spend on it? Post a pic of it and they'll have tons of ideas.

I understand that wily parents tell their children that toys grow under weeds, which motivates them to help somewhat in this season...

I'm a LP, 3 kids (1 with SN/disabilities) and a part time job.

I have staff

I only work part time but what with everything else I can't manage the garden as well - it's only small but by the time I've done housework, washing, ironing, shopping, parenting etc I've got no time (or inclination TBH) to do gardening.

I pay a local chap £25 a fortnight to do the heavy stuff - mowing, weeding, hoeing, raking etc just so it looks reasonable. I don't really have flowers in beds but have pots that I try and grow things in.

I realise not everyone can afford a gardener but for me it's something I budget for because I like the garden to look decent.

I don't have dcs at home any longer but I do have a large garden and a DH whose health rules out gardening beyond a spot of gentle trimming of stuff. I also spend a lot of time actually running the house single-handedly as a result.

Best investment we've made was the chap who mows our lawns and strims for us. £20 a fortnight or £10 an hour if bigger clearances required (like now when everything has suddenly grown and threatens to turn seriously unruly). It means that nothing threatens to get overwhelming and the pleasanter and less oppressive gardening is still ours to enjoy.

I'd imagine £10 or £20-25 a fortnight is about standard.