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Thursday 13 October 2016

Footloose and Toddler-free: Mummy's 'Day Off'

I am my own worst enemy.

When I have a day without my adorable, yet inexhaustible, toddler, what happens? I want to spend the day tiring myself out.

It's ridiculous, isn't it? 

When the funded childcare hours finally kicked in and we realised we could keep Little O in nursery two days a week, even whilst I was on maternity leave, I was thrilled.



Two days! Two whole days to myself. Well, not exactly to myself, as I still have Baby R to look after. But, I reasoned, I can pop him on the floor and he'll waste twenty minutes amusing himself with a balloon and a mega block. It's not rocket science with a baby his age. Especially the second time round.

Late Monday afternoon, I realise that such a day is nigh and a warm glow, like a ray of the Majorcan sun, passes over me. I smugly consider the ten hours of potential sofa-lounging that exist a mere snooze away, save for the intermittent feeding and changing breaks of course. 

But what happens? 


I realise that those films I keep taping, I could watch them. I could practice making cake. I ain't half crap at making a sponge. Practice definitely wouldn't hurt. And I can't imagine baked goods wouldn't be appreciated by the menfolk.

Getting some writing done is an absolute must too. That post won't write itself. How I'd love to park myself at the laptop, hot coffee and biccie at the ready with limited distractions but for the calls of nature and my eight month old offspring. 

But I could also really do with nipping out to Sainsbo's and getting Little O some new trousers. His legs are growing faster than the rest of him.

And there is that load of washing that's stood on the landing for about four days now that really needs putting on if I'm going to have any clean knick-knacks next week. 

And the chickens need cleaning out, which I'd better do before I shower because, frankly, it's gross. 

Shower! That reminds me, the bathroom could do with a once over. The sink's on the verge of answering back.

If I'm cleaning the bathroom, I may as well hoover too. Baby R's discovered 'dropping' and likes to practice as frequently as possible. And that paperwork on the table needs going through. And the drive needs weeding. And the - hang on!

I was supposed to be spending the day on the sofa, wasn't I? Wasn't I?

In reality, I will manage to put the washing on and then spend ten minutes on a blog post debating whether to italicise or not to italicise (because that is the question). And I'll stand staring at the drive but probably put the weeding off till the weekend. And I'll catch the last bit of Graham Norton that I started watching at half ten last night, but unfortunately not get round to baking any cake.

And why?

No, it's not because I'll park my ass on the sofa and snooze.


It's because I'll be walking Baby R around the garden, showing him the bright pink of the fuchsia and the whirring of his brothers plastic windmill in the breeze. 

It's because I'll be sat by his cot stroking his head as he naps (why does he have to be so darn cute?)

It's because I'll be pulling funny faces as he sits in his highchair, in a vain attempt to distract him enough to sneak his spoon back.

It's because I'll be reading him the stories I was read as a child and trying to stop him eating the pages. 

It's because I'll be rolling around on the carpet blowing raspberries on his belly and playing peekaboo behind the cushions.


It's because everything flies out the window when you have a baby to care for. 

Yeah, I should be doing some chores. And yeah, I should probably be getting some rest before I go back to work and don't have any time to myself.

But where's the fun in that?





Quite Frankly She Said Sunday Best


This Mum's Life

3 Little Buttons

8 comments:

  1. Haha I'm exactly the same! There's always something to do and it's hard to shut off sometimes! #SundayBest

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    1. Totally. And even if I plan to do something for me, it rarely happens! Thanks for commenting!

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  2. Hear hear! I think we have to leave the house to get any me-time! Xx

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    1. Yes! And preferably alone! (we can dream) thanks for the comment!

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  3. Maternity leave is so busy isn't it! So not what I had planned haha! I wouldn't change it for the world though. Thanks for linking up to #SundayBest x

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    1. Not as much time for shopping trips and massages as I thought... hmm.

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  4. I don't think anything is ever what you expect, and I think that deadline of returning to work makes you prioritise the time with the kids! #DreamTeam

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  5. Haha I know exactly what you mean. I spent my first mat leave horizontal on the sofa watching box sets and eating cake in the build up to baby making her appearance. My second maternity leave was just a blur! There is always so much to do isn't there? Hope you get to enjoy it and have a little bit of relaxation with Baby R somewhere along the way. Thanks for sharing with #DreamTeam x

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