I had some terrific feedback after my post on The Typical Day Of A Stay At Home Mum. Thank you to all those who left comments and sent emails.
I also had a couple of interesting discussions with friends (who are also stay at home mums) who read my blog and two of them asked me the same question:
“How do you get up so early and keep going for so long?”
I will openly admit that there are days when I have to drag myself out of bed when the first digit on the clock is a “6″, but it is past experiences motivate me to get up and get going.
There have been times when I have slept in until 7.00am and then everything becomes a rush and the smooth start to the day disappears. I end up hurrying the kids and a lack of calmness fills the house. It also usually means that we then don’t have time to walk to school, so we don’t have the enjoyable time strolling along in the fresh air that we are used to.
Getting the timing right for us as a family in the morning is the biggest factor in having a stress free morning before school. Sometimes it can be very difficult to turn around a bad start to the day. So when I am lying in bed and really don’t feel like getting up, memories of those previous scenes enter my head and this motivates me to get up.
It is the same throughout the day as well. At night when the children are settled in bed and I then move on to setting the table for breakfast the next day, making a start on the school lunch boxes etc, I do so not because it my natural preferred pass time, but because they all contribute to a smoother running day for the family.
One thing that I have noticed over the years as a mum and I think that this would apply to most stay at home mums and those who also work away from the home as well, is that the mood of the house revolves around “mum’s mood”.
If mum is having a bad day, feeling grumpy or over tired, I find that the children pick up on this and often these feeling spread through the house. Conversely if mum is happy and cheery with lots of energy, this mood seems to infiltrate the house.
It is a significant responsibility to wear every day of the year. There are days when I feel a bit worn out and tired and if the children catch this, it is is then compounded by children who start niggling, complaining and whining. An ordinary day can turn quite quickly to a “bad day”.
My motivation to avoid these days then can be illustrated in my daily routine and the way I look after myself. To stay happy and full of energy I need to eat well, rest, exercise and socialise.
With my size family, this does mean getting up early each day and that I need to make the most productive use of my time to squeeze everything in, but to me it is worth it to have my happy family around me.
How does it work in your house? Are you the key to its smooth running and how do you deal with this responsibility?
{ 7 comments }
I’m with you – rising early is the key to avoiding chaos. Unfortunately, at the moment, that means being up when you can still see the moon. I like to make sure I am up before my two little boys. It gives me the mental edge over things – there’s nothing worse than being on the back foot all day!
Hoppo Bumpos last blog post..Stand-back-and-throw a throw-back
Interesting topic! Isn’t it funny, I feel guilty reading this! Why do mums do this to themselves?
I have to be honest, there are days that I stay in bed till 7am but I mostly get up at 6.30ish. I feel if I don’t get enough sleep, then I will be crabby for the rest of the day. I know I should go to bed earlier, but I’d rather “hang out” with my hubby or do some work. I totally agree though, the kids do then bounce off you when you’re not feeling at your best.
ickle Kidss last blog post..Travel Tip Tuesday – Food and Drink Travel Tips
I absolutely agree that an early start is the key. I haven’t been doing so well lately and have been getting up around 7-7:20. The kids and I have all been paying the price with a mad rush to get ready and a stressed out mum to boot. Then most of the morning is spent playing catch up, with no time to spend playing with the kids.
Last night I thought of a way to force myself to get up at 6am (leave my morning meds in the kitchen instead of by the bed). Before the kids woke, I’d been for a walk, made their lunches, had a shower. I even got the dishes done before we went to school. So much more relaxed and productive.
Journeyers last blog post..Smiley Saturday
Great post.
I have been rising earlier … more because my small boys do than it being a driving motivation to get things done.
Though surprising I am enjoying being more organised and on top of things earlier. Then I less rushed to get to playgroup and when I have errands to run.
I will continue to do it …but ask me again when winter rolls around next year.
Trishs last blog post..Screwup Tuesday
Oh I SO! agree. Getting the timing right in the mornings is very essential to a smooth running day.
I still don’t know how you get up that early, but I have a whole family of sleeper-iners so that works well for me
lol
Bettinas last blog post..Busy Day Today
You just know that if you sleep in and start the day on the back foot, that’s how its going to end. If you want to get or stay ahead in any aspect of your life, including getting the family off to a good start for the day, early to rise is the only way. You snooze – you loose!
Jill Fitzpatricks last blog post..When Supply is Short.
i too find that getting up before the kids, and at least having a shower is the key to smooth day. having said that, if i want to get up before my kids i have to be up at 5am, as they are up anytime from 5.30am onwards! if only i remembered to go to bed early this would be much better……
pens last blog post..halloween – then the slippery sweetie slope to xmas
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