Women who choose the profession of motherhood, a profession that is supposed to be more stressful than a top management position (except it is a 24/7 job!), are legends. I am currently trying out this profession and man, it is tough. Up until we moved to Switzerland I had always been working, part or full time. Then we had grandparents, aunties or friends around to babysit when we needed a break. Now we have none of that, not even preschool (the kids don’t start preschool till they are 5). I am a wee bit embarrased that I find it so tough at home with two young boys, considering there are heaps of mums with more kids than me doing an amazing job with great love and ease.
Anyway, I was allowed a break - thanks to my wonderful husband and generous Grosi. My mum, grandmother and I (three generations of women!) spent two wonderful days and nights at a wellness hotel in Sigriswil, overlooking the mountains and the Thunersee. We soaked in the pools, had massages, went for walks, ate four-course dinners (healthy of course!). It was great to spend time with my mum who is soon heading back to NZ and my wonderful Grosi. It snowed too, just a hundred metres up from where we were staying. A bit of a change from warm days in Tuscany a week earlier!
What a lovely break away for you Michelle! And how nice to spend it with your Mum and Grosi. Sounds like you had a great time.
I can certainly relate to this post!!! I know you think I am a legend to cope with 5 kids but let me tell you - sometimes it is just that - ‘coping’ and nothing more.
More often than not you can barely see the floor in my house because it is covered with toys, clothes, junk, food etc.
I am usually too tired to do the dishes each evening so leave them to pile up until the next day - then once I have finally completed a couple of loads of dishes (by hand - I WISH we had a dishwasher) it is time to make dinner and start all over again.
My kids whine, complain, fight, whinge, argue etc etc a LOT and the other day when Kris said to the little kids that they needed to help Mummy by being well behaved otherwise she’d cry Nathan said, “No she won’t, she’ll growl”. Oh dear, it is true.
I love my children, I love having 5 children and a busy household but it is really really hard parenting all on your own (which is what you do when you are a Mum at home and Dad goes to work) all day. Dad is tired when he gets home but has no choice but to get on with helping with children.
And it is even harder when you have no family around to help give you a break for an evening or Sunday afternoon so you can have a sleep. Or even watch the baby while you are at a dentist appointment. Or someone to come and help when you are unwell or tired out.
I so often feel very alone during my days. There is nobody for me to call and chat to or invite around. I would love to pop over to a close friend or my sisters house and spend the morning helping her with her housework and dinner prep, and I would love for her to come and do the same at my house - even just having someone there to chat to while I get on with my housework is so encouraging.
I have always loved it so much when you come and stay with us Michelle and we just muck around doing house stuff, and maybe go for a walk or something in the afternoon. I wish we could love close by so we could do that all the time. Do people actually do that do you think? Well, I guess I have never been one to do what other people do in any case!
Michelle and Katrina - why do you two live so far away?!!!
Ok well now that I have written an entire blog post instead of a comment I will throw out my empty M&M packet (yes, that would be a family size pack) and get on with some of my household tasks.
It is a beautiful day here which certainly helps with motivation.
Love you lots Michelle!!
Wow! For me it is huge relief to read other mums find it tough too. Gosh some days are just like Argh!!, there are few words. But as I type this I have just spent the day by myself, Aria AND Asher are at daycare and I keep checking the clock to see when I can go and get them
I feel a bit lost. Great post Michelle and interesting and refreshing to read your comment Louise.