Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not be able to motivate myself to do housework whilst DD is at school....

16 replies

mumofeve · 18/09/2009 14:24

and then attempting to do it when she gets home?
DD (3) is in school between 12.50 and 3.15. Have had to start putting DS (6mo) down for a nap at 1.30ish so that he has some hope of getting a reasonable length sleep in between school runs. For the last week (since school started) I have had great plans to do lots of housework in the 1.5 hours I have to myself (or maybe 1 hour after I've had lunch ). But I just CANNOT motivate myself and end up watching TV or on MN! I then have to try to do some chores when DD is not in school and then I feel bad for not spending time with her.

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 18/09/2009 14:25

yanbu

you are entitled to a break you know. And doing chores with her around is not exactly bad parenting.

IneedacleanerIamalazyslattern · 18/09/2009 14:26

YANBU I used to do this too.
Don't get the chance anymore now ds is a bit older but it used to be the only time of the day I had total peace for myself.
In the evenings dh would be home or i'd be getting on with other things.
Enjoy the time to relax.
When dd gets home is there any way of making her feel she is helping you.
One thing I used to do was put music on and dd and I would dance through the chores.

generalunrest · 18/09/2009 14:27

No way, you have to switch off at some point! You'll be much calmer with your DD if you've had a little bit of time to yourself. I know what you mean about the housework cos I used to think the same, but you can still chat etc with your daughter while you're doing it

IneedacleanerIamalazyslattern · 18/09/2009 14:27

I actually think doing the chores while the dc's are around is good parenting rope them in a bit and show them that dishes/clothes etc don't wash themselves.
Think of it as doing her a favour and giving her a good grounding for when she leaves home.

caramelwaffle · 18/09/2009 14:28

Are you me?

Perhaps with a six month old baby you would be better to try and get in some much needed sleep time.

echofalls · 18/09/2009 14:29

relax when she is away

Original poster
mumofeve · 18/09/2009 14:32

Phew - thanks. I feel like I have had permission to put my feet up!
I totally tend to think of everything I have to do at home in terms of it being a job. I tend to think 'well that was my lunch break better crack on now...'. What I forget to factor in is that I don't clock off at 5pm (or start at 9 for that matter - only in my dreams )!

OP posts:
BonsoirAnna · 18/09/2009 14:34

YANBU - as others have said, you are entitled to a child-free break

minxofmancunia · 18/09/2009 14:34

yanbu at all! I always used to relax when dd had a long nap in the afternoon (sadly no longer ) no housework for me!

She can help you (of sorts!) dd loves "helping" me with chores ( i.e really labouriously and obessionally hanging wet socks onto the washing rack).

Original poster
mumofeve · 18/09/2009 14:38

Just had a thought that you are all probably the wrong people to ask, as you are all on MN too ! Do you think the mums who are currently either hoovering or spending quality time with their kids would think I was BU!!!!!!!

OP posts:
pruneplus2 · 18/09/2009 14:42

YANBU.

I tend to do absoultely bugger all on my days off from work and when the DC's are at school then run round like a loony when they get home.

I do feel guilty and kick myself for not being more motivated and organised but its how I am and cannot seem to change!

Procrastination seems to have become my middle name since having children.

generalunrest · 18/09/2009 14:51

'Just had a thought that you are all probably the wrong people to ask, as you are all on MN too'

I'm doing extremely important revision work on the computer I'll have you know

meltedmarsbars · 18/09/2009 14:54

I'm making biscuits for the dozen kids that will decend on me at 3.15!

(but I have hoovered!)

(now why on earth did I do that if they are going to drop biscuit crumbs everywhere?)

curiositykilled · 18/09/2009 15:00

YANBU - you'd get the equivalent time to eat your lunch every day if you were at work. 1.5 hours off 5 days a week after 3 years of not having any free time is not a huge ask.

onthepier · 20/09/2009 16:32

I'm the same, because from my point of view the best telly is on in the daytime! I work part-time four days a week, but if I'm at home when This Morning, Jon and Kate + 8, Honey I ruined the house or Loose Women
are on, housework seems to come second! I tell myself I'll be cleaning/sorting washing etc while these programmes are on but don't seem to make much progress!

diddl · 20/09/2009 16:37

I´m the same!!

I fall into the trap of "me time" .

And work more when the childrean are here so that they don´t see me doing nothing!!

Although I do find it easier to do the ironing & get it put away when I´m on my own!!??

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread