I love September, and back to school. It’s not that I want the kids to be gone back to school, because I love having them home with me – but I’m not very good at keeping to my own schedule when they’re off. So going back to school in September is like a mini New Year, a time to reset.
This year I was gung ho on getting things organised in our house, creating plans for chore lists, family contracts and all sorts of things that were going to make a big difference to us. I was very excited about having the time to get organised in the house and my work, and having routine.
The kids had the first two days back in school, and then it was the weekend. And first up we ended up in A&E with a child for half a night, so of course the next two days were a write-off. Then we end up with a positive covid test in someone else, which meant re-jigging plans and working out what could we do and not do. All my energy was sapped between all of this, and then I was straight into a course at the weekend.
Previously when this hiccup would happen I would end up so irritated and disillusioned, that I would say to myself “oh well, I tried, nothing I can do now” and let those things defeat me because I would feel that my fresh start wasn’t a fresh start anymore.
This time though, I have a different mindset. I know that I can start next week again. I also know it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. I can take small steps and make small changes, just doing what I am able to do and not berating myself for not being able to do more. So while I haven’t made many changes, or started a proper routine yet, I am working on it.
I’m noticing what time I’m going to bed, instead of actually making sure I go at a certain time. I am giving myself the option of easy dinners, instead of worrying about making sure the dinners are ticking all the healthy boxes I want to tick. I am reminding the kids, and myself, that they are supposed to be helping out with certain jobs… is it on a reward chart or chore list, no, but they are being reminded to do a bit more.
I’m noticing that I am not being as hard on myself as I used to be. I am giving myself the compassion and kindness that I would give to anyone else. And in fairness, that alone is a win!
Mama Fees Happy Healthy Home 