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

Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

August already?! Time keeps flying like the Fledglings!

962 replies

SingToTheSky · 30/07/2020 12:29

Hello and welcome to the (slightly early) August Fledgling Thread! Join us for housework chat and a ridiculous amount of non housework chat too.

We follow (supposedly) the FlyLady system, which helps you gradually build up a set of routines. This month I won’t be putting regular links on, but there will be regular references to whatever the current zone and daily focus is. Please ask if you need any further info!

Here are some links to get you started (but don’t sign up for the emails as you’ll get inundated!)

www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/31-beginner-babysteps/ - a set of little tasks to gradually add to your day - some are a bit twee so pick and choose what you want!

www.flylady.net/c/sp.php#missions - this updates weekly with a set of five specific tasks for the weekly zone - worth checking for ideas! I will try and remember to remind us what zone we are in. It changes on a Sunday and we will be starting with Zone 1, the entrance/porch/hallway, and dining room if you have one.

www.flylady.net/c/lp.php - this contains links for most other things so is a good place to check if you don’t know where to start

It looks like the focus of the month for August is LAUNDRY - getting into the habit of a full load washed, dried and away each day.

Also I was bored a while back so I put together a little glossary of the many weird and might-seem-a-bit-cliquey terms. We have been going a long time but we always love newbies - hopefully this list will help you settle in.
KCC - the Keep Calm Corner, invented by our lovely Fledgling SC back in March, where the OP posts nice diverting links, memes, questions etc to distract us from the pandemic.

Ta Da - instead of a to do list (which is of course welcome too) we often post our achievements, with accompanying jazz hands, in order to celebrate the positives, however small they seem! Sometimes if we want to share an embarrassed giggle/commiserations we also post a ta didn’t - the stuff we didn’t get done. Oops.

BRC - Bag/Box of Random Crap. These are usually formed when we are panic tidying and shove anything in “to sort later” which is also known as a stash and dash.

Power of Three or PO3 - the idea that if you’re feeling really unmotivated/overwhelmed by your to do list, you just choose three things to do, and then post when you’ve done them.

Cherry Waves - borne of a typo of “cheery waves” this is now - to the extent my autocorrect just changed it again - often how we sign off. You may also see it in emoji form! 🍒👋🙋🏻 (😷 for socially distanced waves!).

Haughty Corner - this is from a typo of the naughty corner - the virtual hangout spot where we hide from housework and eat virtual snacks.

Future Friend or FF - the idea (apparently coming from The Organised Mum Method) of doing something to make life easier for yourself in future. Includes things like choosing clothes for the next day, getting bags ready etc.

DLMS - didn’t lose my shit - in other words, somehow stayed relatively calm despite a stressful day!

SS/S&S - Swish and Swipe - this is one of the key parts of the morning routine, a quick once over of the bathroom.

And a few basics:
LOL - load of laundry
WM - washing machine
TD - tumble dryer
DW - dishwasher
HSL - hallway, stairs, landing

And finally, for any Fledglings old or new who are trying to lose weight in lockdown, here’s our new body clutter banishing thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weight_loss_chat/3975886-Body-Clutter-Be-Gone-The-Fledglings-Weightloss-Thread?pg=1

I’ll stop waffling there. Welcome one and all, a huge thank you to KTCluck for steering us through July while also working, and away we go for August! 🍒👋

OP posts:
Thread gallery
53
TheUpholder · 19/08/2020 22:03

Hope results are as hoped Zoo and ED. Sorry it’s dragging out a little longer ED. It’s such a mess and it must be so stressful for everyone Flowers

xMummy2princes · 19/08/2020 23:27

Thank u mc! ❤️ that’s vry kind of u

Thank u upholder x ur day sounds luvly especially being at the beach!

Gud luck wiv results ED

Thank u sing❤️

Oh and zoo gud luck 4 tmo x

Ta Da

❤️Logan awake at 6. 1 hour with him
🧡Woke up Sullivan
💛Gave Sullivan his milk
💚asthma and eczema routine
💙Breakfast made (cereal)
💜Got dressed
❤️Got boys dressed
🧡Brushed teeth
💛Made beds
💚S&S
💙Washed up
💚Dried
❤️Put away
🧡LOL
💛Laundry out to dry
💚Ironed
💙Made snacks for me and Logan (mixed fruit)
💜Put Sullivan down for a nap
❤️Logan did fly kids challenge
🧡Exercise
💛Gave Sullivan his milk
💚Drank Sum water from my bottle
💙Planned dinner (cheesy broccoli pasta bake)
💜 Washed bathroom rugs, curtain and towels
❤️Sorted out my hotspot
🧡Made lunch (tuna and cucumber sandwiches with grapes, carrot sticks and yoghurt)
💛Put both boys down for a nap
💚Went for a walk
💙Washed up
💜Dried and put away
❤️Went thru toys and clothes in DC room and got rid of what we don’t need bagged up 4 charity
🧡Registered 2 vote (completely 4got 2 do this)
💛Fed Sullivan formula
💚Snack 4 me and Logan (pitta and hummus)
💙Washed windows
💜Prepared dinner
❤️Put leftovers in bin
🧡Played with DC
💛Warm milk 4 Logan and CBeebies to wind down formula for Sullivan
💚Bathed both boys did eczema routine and brushed teeth
💙Bedtime stories
💜Asthma meds
❤️Showered myself
🧡Washed down bath
💛Took off makeup
💚Brushed teeth
💙Washed sink down
💜Wiped bathroom floor
❤️Put laundry in laundry basket ready for tomorrow
🧡Washed up from dinner
💛Dried and put away
💚Wiped kitchen surfaces
💙Wiped kitchen floor
💜Shined sink
❤️Put away kids toys
🧡Straightened our blankets and pillows on sofa

howlathebees · 19/08/2020 23:50

I’ve just realised I didn’t post my ta da’sBlush I didn’t really do much today. The rain has just came on so heavily so the DC woke up and once again are in with us!

howlathebees · 20/08/2020 01:57

I’m going to catch up properly because I can’t sleep and I feel awful if I don’t. The weather is terrible here, it has been raining all day, heavy and then sometimes light but still all day. It calmed down a little this evening but it’s got terrible again, really really heavy and strong winds so the DC got scared and are in with us. I’m getting really used to them being in our bed I actually can’t sleep if one of them isn’t next to me!
I signed up to the caravan and camping club and the National trust for our holidays. We go on Sunday early in the morning and then back the next Sunday. Then we have a week until DS1 starts his taster days at school!. His school have been absolutely brilliant (it was actually my primary school too and it hasn’t changed a bit really, some of my old teachers are there as well!.) they have a welcome pack for the new starters with everything they need to know for school plus songs and rhymes to help, they’ve also got pictures of everywhere they’ll go in the school and all the teachers and their time table so they can be prepared. And they’ve just sent a video where they show how you go in in the morning and the teacher shows a tour of how the classroom looks with everything socially distanced. I’m so happy they’re making such an effort! It’s eased my nerves a bit but I’m still so emotional about it!. I just feel like this it it now, before I know it I’ll be on here telling you all his a level results!.

bower I’m sorry you aren’t feeling great! But good on DH for bringing a cup of tea. Well done on getting so much done!! Your planner sounds similar to mine! I need to get cracking on the meal planning. We’re having my DM, DGM and DSF over for Christmas Eve and staying until Boxing Day so I really need to start planning our meals. Christmas is really stressful I do find, and I want to enjoy it so it’s nice to have things planned. We’re off to wales! So excited

That’s a great thread alex! I definitely need it.

mc well done on all that flying! I bet you’re so excited now the baby clothes are all ready!

Great flying zoo! Enjoy your spa day!

Hi mummy I saw you in the frugal thread too!. Welcome back!

Oh upholder it sounds like you’ve had a wonderful time!

Good luck ED how annoying that the grades don’t come out!

You’ve still done more than I have sing!

Ta Da
✅Made beds
✅Got me and kids dressed
✅S&S
✅LOL
✅Fed animals
✅Fed humans
✅Saw DH off to work
✅Sat on sofa with DC and watched films all day
✅Walked Ddogs at about 4pm
✅Prepped dinner
✅Served Dinner
✅DH washed up
✅Bathed DC
✅Put DC to bed
✅Ironed whilst watching tv
✅Bed

howlathebees · 20/08/2020 02:52

Finally nodded off only to be woken up by DS2 who told me I had a bad dream, asked him what it was about and he told me “I don’t know I was asleep”😂

Stilllivinginazoo · 20/08/2020 06:11

howl that is classic kid logicGrin.school sounds AMAZING.wish mine had had such a positive primary experience
Ed it's been a total stressfest.one of dd2 mates does dance and another pe btec.shes in bits won't get results along her GCSE.sending huge hugsFlowers

hoping this absolute shitshow doesn't blow up into a bang.reslts for us a viewed from 8am

Princes great to have you back lovely
Bower hope you feel bit better today
Sing love an incentives chart
Up what a perfect sounding day!

Well I've been awake a little while...
Glossed some of my room
Shortly about clean the oven

EasilyDelighted · 20/08/2020 06:21

Well, I'm awake (not surprisingly). Feeling a bit calmer. Have muted whatsapp and will probably hide the GCSE threads, they have been lovely but I can't keep up. Zoo - DS has BTECs in two of the subjects he plans to take in 6th form (sport and environment studies). The whole thing is a car crash. Thinking of you and DD2 today. I'm off work till Mon so might pop back later.

HungryHazelEyes · 20/08/2020 06:56

Oh how funny howl

I did get caught up with the thread, then got busy getting ready for our camping trip tomorrow so forgot who said what.

Ta Das Wednesday:
🏡 Swept cabin we stayed in Tuesday night
🏡 Skyped mum on outside swing at cabin
🏡 Packed everything up and checked out
🏡 Had to complain about cleanliness. Thank goodness it's a take your own bedding situation or I would have wanted my money back (if I could even stay there)
🏡 Went swimming, went down water slides then sat in the hot pools for a few minutes before heading home
🏡 Picked up dog from ILs
🏡 Unpacked somewhat, since we're leaving again tomorrow we left some things packed that we took extra of. Added to the suitcase a few more clothes
🏡 Got a LOL on of towels and swimsuits
🏡 Made a list of everything I need to buy for camping, food wise.

Tomorrow we have to cram in a few things before leaving to go camping, but we're not in a hurry. We have to wait for the chip to be filled in my windscreen anyway.

I ache tonight, we did a lot of walking (my phone wanted to put waddling - rude!) We all got a bit of sun too and the top of my legs hurt from rubbing together while wet and wearing wet shorts on Tuesday when we floated the river. My abs got a workout as well from holding onto the tube we were floating in, there were some rough waters in places!
Looking forward to camping the rest of the week. I won't have service in the mountains so it will probably take me another week to catch up with you lot!

Stilllivinginazoo · 20/08/2020 07:47

ed "we can't control how the dice roll,only how we perceive the outcome"
Great words,but I'm still shitting it.maths was always looking iffy,needs pass history to take at a level.psychology needs decent passes.
Is it too late to stick my head in sand and hopes goes away

Tada
Cats fed
Wash on
Sills and stair well step glossed
Wash in drier
More in
Scrub oven
Sweep lower floors
Quick tidy hall way

DD is pacing.oh good grief,the anticipation is killing me...

SingToTheSky · 20/08/2020 08:39

Best of luck to all awaiting results. Such an uncertain time 😩

🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞
It’s Thursday. Do those errands! I am still procrastinating from yesterday though...

KCC - therapy style question alert - How does anxiety show up for you? And what helps? (as always KCC questions are optional! But thought it may help on an anxious day)

For me it’s a sort of fluttery chest feeling mainly, and my eyes tend to hurt a bit?! It doesn’t tend to show to other people - often even DH can’t even tell. If anything I get snappy and irritable and look very still - if I’m at home you’d find me sitting on the sofa. I usually crave caffeine and sugar.

I do take an extra beta blocker if the fluttery feeling is really bad, but what helps me most is not to try and distract myself, but to just let myself be anxious and accept it. That’s been a game changer - it was totally counter intuitive at first but it stops it building up and up because I’m not adding guilt into the mix!

OP posts:
SingToTheSky · 20/08/2020 08:49

Argh right I’ve been awake over an hour so need to actually do stuff.

PO3.1
❗️Breakfast for toddler and me (although she is asking for lunch)
❗️15min exercise bike while catching up on MN
❗️Finish FL course (1hr or so)

OP posts:
Stilllivinginazoo · 20/08/2020 08:54

KCC anxiety attacks,talking even faster than I usually do
Self care
Breathing exercises

SingToTheSky · 20/08/2020 09:35

Zoo I know what you mean about catching it early. Both DD1 and I need to make a list of things to choose from early on. Otherwise I end up on the iPad but it doesn’t help me really.

Of course what we should all do is take time out before it gets to overwhelmed stressed stage but that’s not as easy as it sounds 🙄

I have exercised and got Cagletini cereal, now for the rest.

OP posts:
SingToTheSky · 20/08/2020 12:45

Gah bit overwhelmed so although I haven’t actually done my list I need another one! I haven’t done the studying because I ended up doing other (to be fair, more important) stuff - like uniform!

PO3.2
❗️Refill water bottles, take meds and sit while drinking one
❗️Finish FL course once Cagletini settles for something on Netflix (can’t go upstairs as DH has taken DD1 out to buy school supplies)
❗️Lunch for me while watching something

OP posts:
EasilyDelighted · 20/08/2020 15:06

Just coming back to say we were happy with DS's GCSE results.

Anxiety wise - as seen last night, flounce off social media! I get a fast heartrate and shallow breathing, I suddenly gulp.

Stilllivinginazoo · 20/08/2020 17:21

ed that's wonderful news!
Sadly,we haven't achieved all necessary.shes got drop plans psychology as pass mathsbut 4 with minimum req a 5.only thing really wanted study next,did all summer work.now in bed snarling if I go near her.got app school tom.her current options are to take sociology,politics,btec health and social care,geography or eng lit based on grades required...

Stilllivinginazoo · 20/08/2020 17:23

Considering she fluffed up a full round mocks due panic attacks,she did amazing,passing everything.its a shame she didn't get show her full potential but it is what it is 😔

Bowerbird5 · 20/08/2020 17:56

2Princes 🤗 lovely to hear from you. What a great list. Glad you are feeling a bit better. People are very supportive on this thread I don’t post much on other threads though I do sometimes read them.

That’s good ED I tried to log in this morning to wish people luck but it would let me on. Tried numerous times over a few hours as I was in and out. Hope the DC get near what they hope for.
Anyone that didn’t. DS3 wasn’t very academic but also was bullied a lot at Secondary. Hardly went to school no support from school. Told Ed. Welfare Officer for three months that they had no others she needed to see. Luckily she visited our school so I started the ball rolling by asking her how much longer DS would have to wait. She was out the following week after having words with the school. He missed so much and his results were low and the point is he has held down a job for seventeen years. He worked for Moto for a number of years and now works for his brother in a well know pub chain. He works in the kitchen on his own for breakfast service and is quietly confident in what he needs to do. Quite different to the nervous schoolboy.

KCC- previously just butterflies and either too talkative or the opposite and very quiet and thoughtful.
However since last year I have experienced severe anxiety. Tearful, shaky, bit paranoid ( probably) lacking trust in people and happy at home in my own company. Meetings and phone calls have me stressing about two or three days before and getting upset during the questioning. GP has put it as acute reaction to stress. Another has agreed it is definitely connected to last year. I have lost complete confidence in myself and probably the worst I have ever felt in my life. I would now have much more understanding of people who suffer from anxiety and those with post traumatic stress disorder. I think back to being 19 and the confident young girl I was then to how I feel now. I hope to regain some confidence in the future.

Haven’t got as much done as I hoped.

Up earlier.
Cleaned bathroom.
Washed up and tidied kitchen after tea and some porridge. I really need to make sure I eat breakfast in the morning, preferably healthy too.
Fed hens and they were all lined up at the gate looking hopeful so I let them out and threw some grain into the movable pen. Got them all in first go. Ha! Trained hens😁 almost there 🥳 this means I will be able to let them on the grass most days which will be good for them
Did some gardening- de-heading, watered tomatoes, checked courgettes two nearly ready they have been very slow and swept the path. Felt tired after that so after washing up lunch dishes and coffee mugs 🙄 DH I went in and had a shower and washed my hair.
Then sat and wrote some recipes and cut and stuck others in. Found friend’s gift recipe folder. Yeah!
Then watched some tv.

Feeling better than I was thanks everyone but still not a 100. I have a medical condition and I think it was that flaring up. That is twice since lockdown so I think it could be stress related as it can flare from that. I am hoping to feel better still tomorrow otherwise it is a phone call to GP.

Bowerbird5 · 20/08/2020 17:58

Zoo that is brilliant, well done from me.

Snaffles dairy free chocolate.

Bowerbird5 · 20/08/2020 17:58

Greedy, I didn’t mean all of it!

Hands around Hummingbird Cake.

Lisette1940 · 20/08/2020 18:58

Just hoping back onto thread after being AWOL. Busy at work etc. Congrats to thread examinees - what a stressful year for the kids. Have got cracking on the garden. I have hacked stuff back so it looks presentable 😁

howlathebees · 20/08/2020 19:40

Packing is done! I tried to go as light as possible. DC don’t want to go to bed and I CBA for the hassle and it’s the last day before the weekend so we’re having an evening in the garden!. DH finishes for a week tomorrow, then we have the safari park on Saturday and off on our holiday Sunday (and I turn 26!). So I may not be on as much! But I will try my best :)

zoo he comes out with incredible things😂. Their school is brilliant really, we’re super lucky.

ED it’s terrible that BTECs aren’t being realised alongside GCSEs!.

He’s great hazel😂. Enjoy your camping trip!!.

KCC I end up getting the runs! Anxiety affects my stomach the most and every time I get anxious the next day I will end up having the craps.

ED that’s brilliant news about his GCSEs!!

Aww well done to your DD zoo!!

Great list bower! I hope you feel better tomorrow!

howlathebees · 20/08/2020 19:41

Oops forgot to attach pics

August already?! Time keeps flying like the Fledglings!
August already?! Time keeps flying like the Fledglings!
Lisette1940 · 20/08/2020 21:01

well done howl - looks very neat. Also that looks like a very responsible child you have there. Love how the toys are so well looked after!

TheUpholder · 20/08/2020 22:22

Oh Zoo that’s disappointing for DD re psychology. It sounds like she’s done herself proud given the tough time she’s had. I hope there’s a good outcome to the meeting with school and they cut her some slack. It’ll feel like the end of the world to her right now. I was in a similar situation after my a-levels, didn’t get on the course I had my heart set on and I was devastated. I ended up doing something in a similar field that I’d never considered and I absolutely love it. All is not lost and there are so many different routes to get where you need to be.

Well done to DD ED, hope the next week doesn’t drag too much waiting for the other results.

Have a fab holiday Howl and Hazel.

Sorry you’ve had such a tough time with anxiety Bower.

KCC - I’ve suffered with anxiety in the past, but always due to stressful circumstances. I have odd anxious days now and then, but usually when there’s lots going on. I get the heart racing/butterflies type feeling, insomnia, sweaty palms and a dodgy tummy. I also get snappy with DH, but I can relate to the still thing Sing. There have been times I’ve been stressed to bits and people have commented how calm and relaxed I am. Good job they don’t poke too far under the surface Grin. I find I’m much calmer when I’m organised and have done lots of planning and lists. Not sure if that actually keeps anxiety at bay, or I’m able to stay organised because I’m not anxious.

Ta Das:
✅ beds made
✅ LOL
✅ productive day at work - not much clinical work so I tackled something I’ve been procrastinating over totally ignoring and made good progress
✅ Changed DD’s vaccination appointment
✅ got DD to try on her new clothes and ordered a few more bits
✅ filled in pre-school jumper order form (sob!)
✅ tidied living room before bed
✅ DW loaded, benches and hob wiped, sink shiny