Family Time Archives - Page 64 of 87

As most of you will know I work from home full-time (hours often starting at 4am during the week so that I may get the work in and not cut back on any time with the kids). I have childcare for the youngest for three days a week and Kieran is at school. Holidays are taken care of by the same childminder for Taylor and a local fabulous playscheme for Kieran.

I have a good balance of childcare, working hours and home time with the kids which I love though unfortunately it doesn’t leave a huge amount of time for washing, cleaning, shopping, banking, school activities and everything else that us parents have to fit in. I manage to keep on top of the washing (mostly), and the other housework in truth however never seem to get the time to do “The Big Kitchen Clean” or “The Big Bathroom Clean” and I honestly can’t remember the last time I dusted (in fact Roy dusted last time).

Due to this chronic lack of extra time I am considering calling in the heavies and doing a ring around of local Cleaning Companies. I’ve not quite made the leap yet although it would make perfect sense to do it, leaving me a little extra time and reducing the stress levels! What I’d be looking for is someone to come in once a week, do me what looks like a commercial clean through the high traffic areas and some light dusting etc. I’ve never had anyone “in” as yet so aren’t sure whether it would work but I guess you don’t know if you try.

There is a little guilt attached to the idea of getting someone in, after all why can’t I balance 50hrs work a week, kids, school outings, meals, shopping and everything else? The problem is while I can balance it all it means very little time is left for me to spend just being me. I rather think I’d like to have some proper leisure time with Roy and even *gasp* maybe a social life.

To be honest, I’m not sure why I have a slight guilty hang-up about the idea of having someone coming in and cleaning because I used to pay for Garden Maintenance once upon a time (I had an 80ft long garden which hadn’t been maintained for years before we moved in).

My question for you today is: Do you use a cleaner? Would you? And do you spend so much time cleaning up before the cleaner comes that you’ll feel it wasn’t worth it? I’d love to hear other people’s perspective on this as it might help me make up my mind.

*This post was written in collaboration with the mentioned business however is true to my thoughts, feelings and experiences.

We’ve decided against a “Big Holiday” this year. Rather than taking a week out to go somewhere we’ve decided that the UK has much to offer by way of day trips. We are very lucky living here in North Yorkshire because we have so much to see and do and new adventures are just around the corner. We are an hour away from the beautiful Yorkshire coastline, ten minutes from the North Yorkshire Moors, have castles and a wide range of historical and modern places to explore. This year, we are staying put and taking in the local sights and sounds.

Of course, as any parent knows when travelling with kids for a day trip where you will be perhaps two hours away from home you need to have a “just in case” list. This list includes everything from breakdown cover to spare clothing. We have never broken down when out with the kids yet *touch wood* however I can’t imagine the horror of being stuck on a roadside at the end of a long day at the beach with two very tired children and facing a huge tow bill. That is why the AA breakdown cover is an essential for us.

Spare clothing, snacks, the first aid kit (checked that it is well stocked), change for parking, sun cream, sun hats, coats and warm jumpers, spare socks, plenty to drink and the list goes on. Despite not being in the Brownies or Guides as a child I still believe very much in being prepared.

As you can see here we love getting out and about with the boys, whether we are enjoying indoor fun or the great outdoors. Living in a rural area makes it easy to find wide open green spaces, places to climb and forests to explore however for me to truly relax and enjoy the day I have to have all my bases covered. Roy laughs at me but he understands that if I don’t have my huge checklist ticked off and double checked before we set off that I’ll have that slightly anxious feeling that comes with not being quite sure if you’ve got everything.

It is probably just as well actually that we are not flying abroad otherwise my checklist would be more of a notebook full. Instead we are going to explore all that the National Trust has to offer us, will hit Whitby and Staithes amongst other seaside towns and get out and about with the Forestry Commission. Provided we have our “just in case” list and everything packed up I’m sure we’ll have a cracking summer (I am very optimistic about the summer weather, can you tell?).

I have to ask, for all of those other parents with “The Checklist”, what is the one thing that you would be lost without when going away from home for the day or weekend? Is it a camera, snacks for the car or something else?

*Written in collaboration with the mentioned business yet true to my own thoughts, feelings and experiences.

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Getting the Heavies In

Covering all Bases