Hey there fellow parents, I hope all of you and your kiddos are well.
I am unfortunately in a situation I hoped I wouldn’t be in again, but well, here I am. I am currently pregnant with my second baby, about to enter into my third trimeter, and it has recently become more and more apparent that my partner whom I thought was loving and support, is in fact not as much as I hoped and expected, and now I am prepping for the very real eventuality that I am on my own in this again (different dad from my first).
To explain my situation I have been a single parent to my eldest since before she was born and over the past 4.5 years. I have been with my current partner for about a year and a half. We are currently living separately, about an hour and a half drive from each other, and due to his career goals and job, he doesn’t want us to move, or move in together for another year or to (his words) so I am pretty much on my own with the kids. My 4 year old is due to start school this September, almost 2 months before my due date, so my hands are about to be more than full, so I am after some advice on how I can make our lives as easy as possible while our family expands.
There are some key areas I am looking for tips or advice on how to make our lives a little easier and would appreciate advice or experience on, I’m also happy for advice in any other areas I may have forgotten. My brain is honestly fried so I am trying to make this as coherent as possible, apologies for any mistakes.
School Runs
The best way to manage school runs with a newborn?
He will be staying with me for his 2 weeks paternity leave and will help with school runs, but after I am going to be doing them myself with baby.
The school is only a 5 minute drive from my home, we live rurally so the only option to drive.
I was thinking to put her into after school club so I can have a bit more flexibility on pick up time, is this a good idea?
Should I buy a set of uniform for every day of the week and have it washed and ironed ready to go on a Sunday to save time?
House Chores
I struggle with house chores due to my ADHD just on a day-to-day basis and know it will only get worse with another child in the mix so I am planning on hiring a cleaner to help keep on top of things at home. We live in a small 2 bedroom cottage so shouldn’t be too long to clean. I was wondering how often to have someone come and clean? 2-3 days a week I was thinking, but open to opinions on this.
Meal Prep
Best advice on meal prep and keeping on top of having cooked and healthy meals in the house?
Shall I consider a meal subscription like Hello Fresh?
Shall I consider investing in a small free standing freezer and cook and freeze as much as I can before baby comes?
These are the main points I can think of right now, but please let me know anything I may have forgotten or any other advice you may have, I really appreciate it.
I hope you all have a great week!