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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Help me find a bit of space in the morning routine!

54 replies

Aranchini · 23/05/2018 09:45

I need a bit of headspace in the morning. This has always been the case and for me is a non-negotiable as I end up feeling like I'm trapped inside a chaotic whirlwind unless I have a bit of space to get myself ready and prepared for the day. It genuinely makes me feel ill otherwise.
I need around 30 minutes.
Some parents may call this a luxury, I know, and I can understand why, but this is something I genuinely need to be able to function.
DH and DD are both chatterboxes and I find the chatter hugely overwhelming first thing in the morning. When DD was a baby, I moved a chest of drawers and a mirror to the box room just so I could have a bit of peace whilst drying my hair and getting dressed in the mornings. This has worked well for me for the last 3 years, DH kept DD away from the room whilst I was getting ready.
We now have a baby and I've had to move my drawers and mirror back into our room to make space for baby's things. It will eventually be baby's room too.
I am finding the mornings dreadful, besides asking DH a number of times to take DD into her room in the morning whilst I get myself ready.
Obviously not getting a lot of sleep with a newborn so getting up before the DCs wake isn't an option for me right now.
DH is very difficult to get out of bed in the morning so when DD comes in to us, he puts on the TV and snoozes whilst baby cries, DD talks etc. I go to have a shower for 10 minutes, come back and everyone is still piled into our room. DH is usually sitting up in bed at this point and wants to tell me about the neighbours dog, his friend's new car or something else I don't want to think about. I feel claustrophobic as there are way too many of us piled into our room (for me) whilst I'm trying to get ready.
I then end up asking DH 2-3 times to get DD ready in her room or set her up with something to play with in her room whilst I do my hair/get dressed/apply a bit of makeup etc. But by the time I've finsihed he's only just leaving the room to get DD ready, which he could have done whilst I was getting myself ready in peace.
He's always running late so by the time we all get downstairs, he's chaotically pacing around with his bowl of cereal (he leaves the house before I do the school run) and it sends my anxiety through the roof.
I find myself unable to speak or even look at him in the morning as it infuriates me that he can't motivate himself a bit more to get things moving, leading to a calmer morning.
I have asked him quite a number of times now to get out of bed sooner. Sometimes, he will sleep downstairs if baby is awake a lot during the night, then come upstairs in the morning and get back into our bed as I'm getting in the shower. He doesnt see why this is an issue as he does get go work on time despite the chaos as he's leaving, but for me, I'm finding it unbearable. I know it can be a part of what mornings are all about with kids, but I really need to find my 30 minutes of getting ready space somewhere to keep me sane.
Any ideas?
AIBU to expect DH to get out of bed in the mornings as I get ready rather than him having both DCs in our room as I try to get ready myself? Is there an alternative if this is the case?

OP posts:
BrutusMcDogface · 25/05/2018 17:19

8th month- I feel sorry for your ds! Mine come into our room for cuddles at 6.00. They won't be doing it forever.

2kidsnopets · 25/05/2018 20:28

Slightly late to this thread but I would go against the idea of getting a 3yo to clean their own teeth, I don't believe they could do it effectively and they won't be able to judge 2 mins either.

As for the rest, my 4 yo dresses himself with a certain amount of cajoling provided that I've left clothes laid out for him.
I don't get any time for myself in the morning because OH is up and out early and my littlest wake-up time is wildly unpredictable so I have up trying to get up before her. I just don't wear make up and quite often do school run with hair still wet from shower. Not ideal but hey ho.

ImTakingTheEssence · 25/05/2018 20:47

8th month i feel your methods are quite cruel your poor son. Punishing him for waking up just so you and you and your partner can lie in. Welcome to parenthood! Its not about you anymore. Maybe put your son first instead of yourself, its not about you and your routine. Better yet do yourself a favour don't have anymore kids! Don't want to upset your life too much.

Aranchini · 26/05/2018 10:58

Oh dear
Quite a lot of harsh judgement on this thread. Kind of wish I'd never asked!
I guess we all have our varying non-negotiables and differing ways of doing things, varying levels of expectation etc.
Some women choose to do the school run wearing make-up, with hair done for different reasons that I dont think should need to be justified. My own DM always wore make-up, all the time due to a huge port wine birthmark on her face which made her very self-conscious, a friend of mine has alopecia and takes a large amount of time back combing her hair each morning for the school run. I could bw either od those people behind this screen.
Whatever makes us feel good is worthwhile. As for me having my selfish 30 minutes each morning, as I said in the OT this is something I need to be able to function. Something my family needs so that I'm not a train wreck each morning. Some think that DH is doing the lions share each morning, thats fine. But when you dont live with him, know him and what he needs, have any idea how he takes in return, I think its wrong to judge.
He takes his time at the weekends fwiw in the form of several hobbies whilst I do the lions share of the childcare. But, who am I to take 30 minutes for myself each morning?
Ive actually felt quite terrible about myself for needing this time after reading many of the responses on here, but on reflection, who can really judge?
Thanks to those who have posted ideas. Whatever works for you I say 👍
Those who use MN to judge rather than to offer support, perhaps ask yourself why? You never ever know the bigger picture.

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