June 07 - hunni hunni's HERE! ;-)

[HellHathNoFury]

unwilling pram chat before I get told to shut up!

I agree about having a walk being a necessity mentally, Foxy. It's sometimes the only thing that keeps me sane! The past 2 Sundays in particular I have been like a bear with a sore head towards DH, but after a walk have felt SO much better and been a whole different person to be with.

Have you got an ipod or walkman Bumper? You could listen to music, or a book even.

You've got to break the cycle.

Its also important for Vitamin D. Even on winter days, it counts. Unless you are north of Birmingham, apparently. Then the sun isn't strong enough. It was on the news the other week, they was a piece on the increase in ricketts.

I'm warbling, aren't I?

That is real bollocks bumper (though good that your thyroid is under control). I have never had trouble getting NHS counselling, but there is a long waiting list (maybe cos it's so grim up North). Can your HV get you any help? (It was my HV who referred me this time).
I do agree with foxy & jammy about getting out, I really benefitted from going out after the DCs were in bed the other night, but it is damned hard to find the motivation when you're knackered, and if you're anxious too that's a whole new battle. It's such a vicious cycle, especially when you add chocolate to the equation (maybe that's just me).
I don't have "me" time either, then if by some miracle I ever get some it's a real treat.

would this kind of thing help do you think bumper? have you checked your library for a local support group?

my boys are nearly 11 (where has the time gone?) and 4, then DS3, just means I will spend the rest of my life stood in that damned playground! How was it having your DC1&2 close together foxy? Do they get on well now or do they fight (like mine)?

I do wonder about this trend of "prescribing" "time to yourself" (my Mum gets on her high horse and goes on about how her generation didn't have time to be out at groups all the time and have "me time", she makes me laugh, hope her opinion doesn't offend anyone), I seem to be forever chasing my tail and not actually achieving anything and I don't have anything to do other than look after the DCs and the house (and Mnet of course). Also because the little buggers are so awful at sleeping I have to stay up far later than maybe I should, just so I can have a bit of time with DH.
I think you find a balance that works for you eventually, and we are only 7 months into this.

Hi Ria. My aunt says much the same - she had 5 children and says she just had to get on with looking after them as best she could while still keeping the housework done and dinner on the table.

Personally I don't get much "me time", but DH has got into the habit of taking C out for an hour on a Sunday afternoon so I can have a relaxing bath or read a book or whatever and I do really appreciate that. I'm also going to start swimming once a week - or I will as soon as I can bear to be seen in the pool in my cossie!

andiem - I'm SO sorry I had to cancel

DD didn't sleep well last night and woke up grumpy. I thought she was just tired and would perk up. She really didn't though and is really pale and far clingier and more teary than usual - she's definitely coming down with something. So it's an afternoon nap and quiet play/peppa pig for us this afternoon instead. Sorry again.

I think that society has changed in such a way that our parents didn;t need the groups - families would all live nearby, you knew your neighbours, people were on hand to help, and didn't need to be sought out.

The good old days, huh?

Me-time is just another unattainable Holy Grail of motherhood. I think you get some when they go to school full-time. Except you are too busy missing them probably.

Right, tempting as it is to lie on the floor wiyh C all afternoon, we're off out for our afternoon constitutional. Back in time for Countdown!

Just back from the park. DS1 at nursery and DS2&3 both asleep so get a blissful 45 minutes before someone is coming to look at the car and then nursery to pick up DS1.

Bumper, that's really pants - can't believe that they can't give you some sort of counselling, hope you are feeling better soon.

Fairy, hope dd is feeling better.

Well, looks as though we're off to oz for good at the end of March. I am now madly writing letters, interviewing delivery companies and going through boxes that still haven't been unpacked from 2 years ago. Oh, and trying to sell the car.

You WILL MN still, won't you?

annobal you must be so excited

hi fairy don't worry I just did a bit of retail therapy and me and ds2 had lunch in starbucks

i get a bit of me time but it is only to exercise! lo goes in the creche at the gym other than that it is me and dcs all the way

Thanks andiem, I was really looking forward to it as well . DD seems a bit better but still definitely not her usual self

blimey annobal, that's soon.

I forget about changes in society, sometimes I do wonder if I'm stuck in a time-parallel (too much damned sci-fi in our house that I don't understand). I am very lucky to have my mum just round the corner (mostly!). My gran moved here when she was 3 (I think Dads family were already here) and we're still here (I'm sure we should be titled or something).

Right then, that's DS2 de-loused for today - clear! DS1 is out for tea. If he comes home with another "runner" I think I might cry.

DS2 made flapjack at nursery today. DH is the teachers hero because he supplied her with the recipe of he top of his head when he dropped DS2 off (good thing I didn't take him today).

Sorry, am blathering. Still bored.

annobal, that's so exciting. You must have loads to sort out

We're back. Just got to work out how far we went...

And that IS exciting Annobal!

YAY - just sold the car!!

OF COURSE I will still mumsnet you can't get rid of me that easily...

You're on a roll Annobal! Keep going at this speed and you'll be in Oz by the end of next week!!

Wow Annobal - busy time ahead! How exciting. Have you got to sort somewhere to live as well?

Bumper - wish I had some suggestions for you but I don't I'm afraid....but {{{hugs}}} to you....the only me time I get is when I'm at work...perhaps that's why I've enjoyed going back as much as I have?

Was the party good Foxy?

I've got a bit of a problem - ideas welcome.

I'm entered into the Sunwalk in Bristol in July (who lives down in Bristol? How hilly is it?), walking a half marathon for breast cancer. So I need to train. At the moment I'm doing (almost) daily walks of between 2 and 5 miles, pushing C in the pushchair. Over coming months I will be looking to walk longer and longer distances (though not every day). My problem is that C gets fed up in the pushchair, she's usually OK for 3 miles or so (usually has a nap for some/all of that), sometimes 4, but gets grumpy after that. Today we were out for 1 hour 25 minutes, and she was fine for the first hour then whinged with intermittent screaming fits for the rest. So how am I going to do longer training walks? She has a set of toy animals hanging from the bar in front of her, but they only seem to provide limited entertainment. I guess I could stop and get her out of the chair for a bit, but ideally I should walk continuously. I can try to arrange to do one longer walk at the weekend without her, but really ought to be doing some training midweek as well, which is going to mean taking her out.

another quiet night I see...

I'm lurking Jammy - talking to my students about the future of breast cancer diagnosis ....would rather talk to you though

No ideas about walking tho - is she too heavy for a sling?

I wouldn't fancy carrying her far in a sling. And we've not really got on with our sling anyway.

So what IS the future of breast cancer diagnosis?

(As an aside, I've always said if men had their testicles put under the same force that a mammography set puts on a woman's boob, there wouldn't be any testicular cancer)

I couldn't do it - would kill my back. Its a difficult one Jammy. Does she face you?