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Original poster

I thought life would be easier once they started school ...

48 replies

sandyballs · 10/11/2005 10:39

.... but I was wrong. I just seem to be rushing the poor girls every morning and every evening with no time for fun . I'm sitting here at work feeling bad because I feel we barely said 10 words to each other this morning other than me yelling "eat your breakfast", "get your book bags", "where's your pe kit". I can't even remember kissing or hugging them much until I left them in school.

OP posts:
carla · 10/11/2005 10:46

Message deleted

Enid · 10/11/2005 10:47

no

its harder with school in the mix

thats why I felt so sorry for that 19 year old who will have four under four - she had no idea.

remember:
Prior Preperation Prevents Piss Poor Performance

(eg everything ready the night before)

Bozza · 10/11/2005 10:53

I find having one at school and childminder and one at nursery much harder than two at nursery. They have different schedules, can't do much with DD on the days I don't work because of having to do the school run, don't spend much time with DS because he's at school on my days off etc etc. And I struggle with having to leave the house at either 7.40, 7.55 or 8.45 depending on which day it is.

motherinferior · 10/11/2005 10:55

I know what you mean - but listen, it's still really early days. And you've got twins.

But I do know what you mean - I am a horrid mummy to poor little DD1 at the moment.

puff · 10/11/2005 10:56

Love that phrase Enid. Must put it on the kitchen wallplanner .

batters · 10/11/2005 10:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
sandyballs · 10/11/2005 10:56

Stressful isn't it. One of them said to me today "why are you always so cross in the mornings mummy", and the other gave me a piece of coloured paper and said I could use it to put my coffee on at work, bless her, but I barely acknowledged it, I was in such a rush . No matter what time I get out of bed it always seems the same, and I do try to get organised the night before.

OP posts:
LadySherlockofLGJ · 10/11/2005 11:00

Oh, we had a shouty morning this morning as well.

Normally it is just constant chivvying, but today was a shouty one, it would be the one day I am taking his little friend to school.

He will probably go home and tell his Mummy that DS is at risk.

motherinferior · 10/11/2005 11:02

DD1 told me this morning 'Mornings in our house are strange, because we're sort of happy and sort of sad'.

I can't imagine getting anything ready on the day itself. When I'm on my own even the bread is sliced in advance.

carla · 10/11/2005 11:04

Message deleted

wilbur · 10/11/2005 11:07

Ds1 manages to thwart even meticulous advanced prep if he's in the mood. This morning's meltdown was due to him not wanting to put on his tracksuit (laid out by his bed) as it would make him not very colourful (he wears a red t-shirt for games underneath) . Hard to pre-plan when they throw curve balls like that! And hard to tackle the crisis with ds2 attached to my boob. Much shouting this am .

Enid · 10/11/2005 11:08

yes our curveball this am was that we had a friend of dd1s on a sleepover (mum is away) and of course dd1 wanted her hair exactly the same despite it being about 6 inches shorter [exasperation]

Original poster
sandyballs · 10/11/2005 11:10

Thanks for all your replies, at least I'm not the only one . Another "phase" I suppose, albeit a long one!

It's just their lack of urgency in the morning that kills me. One of them was sitting in the hall in her pants at 8.25 this morning asking endless bloody questions, "how are zips made mummy", "who makes them", how are books made, how does the writing get in the books, who made my coat, why did they make it this colour .... you get my drift

I like that saying Enid - must remember that pppppp

OP posts:
Enid · 10/11/2005 11:11

The 5 P's

we use it a lot chez enid

good for work too

Gobbledigook · 10/11/2005 11:16

Love it Enid - and so true!

I lay out the 3 boys' full outfit the night before, make lunches and put in the fridge, sort out anything to go back in book bag (reply slips, note to teacher...).

Our schedule is that dh gives the boys breakfast between 7.30 and 7.50 which is when he leaves - they have to eat it by the time he leaves or else they get nothing. While he's doing this I get ready and make beds (if time). Once he's gone I've got 30 mins to do toothbrushing and dressing.

It still gets stressful but it's sort of organised.

You can't plan for everything though - the kids are little blighters. Ds1 spend all morning whining his shoes weren't tight enough and his socks not high enough (ankle socks he pulls right up to his knees! eh?). Or ds2, just potty trained, decides to tell me he needs a poo just as we are leaving!

Nightmare!

fennel · 10/11/2005 11:20

it does get easier when you all get used to it. one thing is to remember that schools often don't mind if they're a bit late (well, ours is very relaxed). I used to get stressed and shouting "we have to be OUT of the DOOR NOW!" etc. til i realised we didn't really have to be on time for school at all, the teachers are very understanding.

this morning we got to 8.25 when I realised the nit shampoo we tried for the first time last night left their hair totally oily. had to strip the dds down and wash their hair twice each, dry it and then get to school. that was a bit of a rush. and they still look oily.

fennel · 10/11/2005 11:21

another thing. go for school dinners. saves lots of time in the morning. and just hope that they are vaguely nutritious but don't inquire too closely.

Gobbledigook · 10/11/2005 11:22

I think it will be easier when they are all at school - then it's just there and back twice. For me it's driving to school, then nursery then home. Nursery again at 1pm, school again at 3.30. It just takes up the whole day and you can't get anything done.

LadyTophamHatt · 10/11/2005 11:24

I probably shouldn't even post this but I going to anyway, even though you'll all hate me.

I never get stuff ready the night before, We've never been late for school and I do it all myself. If Dh is here he just gets in the way.

I'll put my hard hat on now while I pat myslef on the back

Original poster
sandyballs · 10/11/2005 11:29

My DDs school are really strict about time-keeping. 3 lates within a two week period and head master wants to know why .

OP posts:
oliveoil · 10/11/2005 11:33

Mine aren't even at school but getting them out for 7.30am when I work is a nightmare, baby always has a dump when I have put her shoes and coat on. Why? So I have more clothees to take off??!!!

Gobbledigook · 10/11/2005 11:37

lol at 'has a dump'!!!

Bagpuss30 · 10/11/2005 12:15

LTH, me too

Having said that, I am super shouty these days - what's it going to be like next year when I have two at school .

LadyTophamHatt · 10/11/2005 12:25

Shall we pat eachother on the back Bagpuss.

Ohhhh, aren't we clever??

LIZS · 10/11/2005 12:29

ds has to be at school for 8.15 and it is a minimum 20 minute drive. So it has to be breakfast at 7 with dh, while I get ready. They may get 10 minutes to chill before dressing at 7.30 and leaving by 7.50 latest. dd whinges and whines but we have only been late once and that was due to traffic. Yes I'm sure I do nag and we miss our morning cuddles in bed. I get some time with dd after ds has gone into class so we hang out and chat or read then before she starts at 8.45.

Love the 5 p's.