tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post5381587384426185396..comments2023-11-03T07:29:16.334+00:00Comments on The Potty Diaries: Tuesday witterPotty Mummyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04751869800592294891noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-59182334778972275712009-07-16T00:00:50.126+01:002009-07-16T00:00:50.126+01:00Thank you, thank you, dear PM. I needed this posti...Thank you, thank you, dear PM. I needed this posting very much. Why has no-one else ever said this? I have these thoughts you have voiced so well whizzing round in my head most hours of the day.Motheratlargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08702824820715807897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-87920448262158378242009-07-10T13:12:55.027+01:002009-07-10T13:12:55.027+01:00Great post. I found first time motherhood incredib...Great post. I found first time motherhood incredibly hard and decided to go back to work part time. It was such a good balance and really had a good effect on me as a mother. Rather than dreading getting up in the morning and finding a million good tings to do with a baby (who was quite happy playing on his own most of the time). Now with no.2 I'm finally finding it easier and I work 2 days a week. It really works for our family as well as giving us a bit of extra dough to spend on the children. xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10754562741952800845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-26221723418557057492009-07-08T12:42:56.464+01:002009-07-08T12:42:56.464+01:00I love my baby, I REALLY do. But still, I am hones...I love my baby, I REALLY do. But still, I am honestly wondering how hormonal one must get to try for number 2 (or 3...). It's much more exhausting than everything I ever took on. And at the same time so much more rewarding. <br />My last job was pointless, and I am not missing the slightest bit of it. Of course, I played with the adults in the oh so adult world, wearing suits I didn't like, taking the tube (bleugh) every day, getting paid to buy more disliked suits and being able to afford a cab every once in a while, to avoid the hated tube. I was going nowhere fast, so to say. <br />I love seeing my daughter smile. Love to see her growing and thriving, love to feel her little heart ponding in her chest. This gives my life so much more sense than every job I did before. But still, I don't see myself having a number 2. I rather see myself pursuing the career I always dreamt of, as soon as I feel little L is big enough to enter nursery for a few mornings a week.Metropolitan Mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11363451142875981407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-72352573909640292782009-07-08T12:11:27.373+01:002009-07-08T12:11:27.373+01:00NVG, hold that thought. Personally if I manage to...NVG, hold that thought. Personally if I manage to tick off half my list in a day (and I confess it might even contain stuff as mundane as making a phone call), then I feel I deserve a medal...<br /><br />Laurie, thanks for commenting, and yes you're right. I think some people don't want to seem as if they're moaning though, which is why they put on a good front. Moan away, I say!<br /><br />Kat, thanks for commenting and you're right, it is a gift to be able to do this. But not a free one - which is what I think some people imagine it to be.<br /><br />Jen, keep going, you can do it! (And - I know you'll have heard this before - it does get easier...)<br /><br />Thanks Sandy! And 362 days? Wow!<br /><br />Nicola, you know I think if you've had a job you enjoyed pre-kids, coming to terms with SAHM doesn't often happen overnight. Personally it took me a couple of years to feel comfortable with it. Now though, I feel able to answer those mindless comments with an invitation to come and do my job for a day... Funny, no-one ever takes me up on it.<br /><br />Iota, that is so true. Excellent advice, and I will pass it on if I get the chance. (I will also make a note of it for myself in the future!)<br /><br />Modern, good question. I think it may be because we are so shocked that reality falls so far short of the dream. And of course we feel the need to try and convey this to people who, never having done it, have no idea what it takes.Potty Mummyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04751869800592294891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-54001309077923625012009-07-08T06:33:36.914+01:002009-07-08T06:33:36.914+01:00Nice post Potty. No one said it was going to be ea...Nice post Potty. No one said it was going to be easy, but no one said how draining it would be. <br /><br />What I want to know is why we complain about it (because we can?) I say as the biggest complainer on the plant.A Modern Motherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15632406403657444930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-22023262893637165862009-07-08T02:58:30.242+01:002009-07-08T02:58:30.242+01:00She needs the patent Iota "I'm having a c...She needs the patent Iota "I'm having a crsppy stay-at-home-mum day" method of getting life back in perspective.<br /><br />1) Stop comparing the worst day at home with those marvellous days in the office, when colleagues were fun and witty, everything went smoothly, and the content of your work was interestng.<br /><br />2) Remember that those days were the rare ones. Now deliberately recall, in detail, the really bad ones. Those ones when your boss was a complete jerk, when you took the rap for something that wasn't your fault, when the sheer pettiness of office politics made 2-year-old tantrums seem positively sophisticated, when you couldn't sleep at night because you couldn't let it all go.<br /><br />3) Now you are on a level playing field. Now compare your crappy at home day with your crappy work day. <br /><br />I know this isn't quite the point for your sis-in-law, but I do think that it is easy to glamourise whatever it is we are NOT doing. It works in either direction.Iota https://www.blogger.com/profile/08507184283437057648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-13165283868018407422009-07-07T23:53:13.654+01:002009-07-07T23:53:13.654+01:00You are so spot on. I feel like I am coming to te...You are so spot on. I feel like I am coming to terms with my 'change of career' and I do recognise how hard I work. It's still not easy but now that I am more comfortable with my predominantly SAHM status I enjoy my time more. I do hate feeling that I have to justify myself and still hate all the comments 'Wow, life of riley. What do you do with yourself all day?!'Nicolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07017352687163694581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-15199316195366385722009-07-07T22:49:25.968+01:002009-07-07T22:49:25.968+01:00I love this post. I wish I'd been able to read...I love this post. I wish I'd been able to read it before deciding to try for our second baby.<br />Having said that even if I had read it, I wouldn't have believed you. Our second baby was born 362 days after our first. <br />I've never worked so hard in my life (this coming from an accountant who has worked ninety hour weeks).<br />The light-bulb moment for me (when our first baby was a few weeks old) was to realise that being a stay at home mum is my job now. <br />This post has been favourited!sanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12004801243819162845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-25642319987810072372009-07-07T22:18:08.861+01:002009-07-07T22:18:08.861+01:00Well said, very well said indeed........from a rec...Well said, very well said indeed........from a recent mum of two!!!!jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07284779488127466877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-13443076353527789792009-07-07T22:08:31.566+01:002009-07-07T22:08:31.566+01:00I feel so lucky to be able to stay home. No end to...I feel so lucky to be able to stay home. No end to my gratitude that it has worked out for us.Kat - Housewife Confidentialhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02450849893251350882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-84410997256979209312009-07-07T21:42:26.309+01:002009-07-07T21:42:26.309+01:00I think the best thing we can do for one another i...I think the best thing we can do for one another is to stop lying about how 'easy' it is. When you've heard that from someone else, it just makes you feel terrible about how difficult it is for you! Maybe a bit of support for one another would be nicer!Lauriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00151748811972216858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-57875147846674352742009-07-07T21:38:56.953+01:002009-07-07T21:38:56.953+01:00Definitely not easy. I'm one of those you'...Definitely not easy. I'm one of those you're addressing, currently stuck in the full time mum mode for the first time since maternity leave. At least for this summer (come the autumn, I'm capitulating to preschool). You have to have the patience of a saint (which I certainly don't), be prepared to deal with all things to do with being the one at home (laundry, cleaning, problems with the house) and constantly seek activities. I've never thought it would be easy, though. And every day we get through without a major meltdown I feel as if I've achieved something akin to a major work project going well.nappy valley girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10788949037047084412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-11680451096350087582009-07-07T20:29:40.997+01:002009-07-07T20:29:40.997+01:00Thanks SPD. And 'a slog' is a good descri...Thanks SPD. And 'a slog' is a good description...<br /><br />DF, hope this hasn't put you off the whole parenting thing (not that there's any way back now, of course...mwa ha ha...). And take your time to decide, if you're able to.<br /><br />PippaD - thanks, and see Expat Mum's comment below. She knows...<br /><br />Thanks Tasha, and yes, I hope she finds it easier too, preferably before she returns to work in a couple of months.<br /><br />Tracey, I think you've hit the nail on the head, that probably is why so many of us find it hard. It's certainly why I did.<br /><br />Rachel, they're asleep then? And yes, it is worth it. (Most of the time)<br /><br />EPM, I have printed that out and will stick it on my fridge.<br /><br />Pig, can't wait for the sleepovers to begin. No, really. I mean it...<br /><br />Mwa, thanks for commenting and tell me, did you give those helpful people a smack across the face with a wet nappy? Or at the very least, a soggy muslin?Potty Mummyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04751869800592294891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-52323587447195037442009-07-07T20:04:05.402+01:002009-07-07T20:04:05.402+01:00Lovely post. And you're absolutely right.
I h...Lovely post. And you're absolutely right.<br /><br />I have been told twice in the last year that it must be lovely, to be on holiday all the time. They should try it sometime.Mwahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00954216492730746581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-19865242795796450032009-07-07T18:40:27.751+01:002009-07-07T18:40:27.751+01:00It is not easy. Jesus, but it is not easy, especi...It is not easy. Jesus, but it is not easy, especially on day two of the holidays. I am slumped in front of the computer, dulled by red wine, contemplating making up beds for two extra sleepover guests (ok, so that was my fault, i did offer)...<br /><br />I can confirm, IT. IS. NOT. EASY.<br />PigxPig in the Kitchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10631525119816074013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-83128483958226142052009-07-07T15:26:41.122+01:002009-07-07T15:26:41.122+01:00As someone with a huge gap between number two and ...As someone with a huge gap between number two and three (and I mean big), I would just warn anyone (PippaD) thinking about a larger than two year gap - it is still as knackering, AND you're not used to the sleepless nights and constantly being "on". When they get to about 4 or 5, they're at least feeding themselves, going to the loo and dressing themselves. Then you have another one and the absolute shock of the baby thing is enormous!Expat mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-47299854962536226262009-07-07T14:37:53.412+01:002009-07-07T14:37:53.412+01:00Thank you, Potty Mummy! You're right: it'...Thank you, Potty Mummy! You're right: it's not easy and it's always going to be challenging - but it's worth it.Mrs Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-53497943588772295182009-07-07T14:08:17.506+01:002009-07-07T14:08:17.506+01:00Once when I was stressing to a friend, also with 3...Once when I was stressing to a friend, also with 3 kids, but who had part time work, about how inadequate I felt <i>not</i> going out to work, she confessed to me that, once she'd got to work, the day was a lot easier than being at home with the kids. <br /><br />Personally I don't know that I could have ever coped with the before and after work madness - so it just goes to show that there is no "right" way. <br /><br />Do you think some mums find it "hard" because it's not recognised as being genuine "work" - therefore we are primed to think we should be finding it easy, and are shocked when it's not all easy peasy? {I'm sure this isn't helped by husbands who come home and wonder 'what you've done all day'!}Traceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04367328478774305777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-12516200129170097092009-07-07T13:39:52.050+01:002009-07-07T13:39:52.050+01:00As someone who has never completely done the full-...As someone who has never completely done the full-time mum thing, because I have another part-time parent on hand all the time too (and a very handy mum of my own), I will constantly marvel at how any of you manage to do it. Really. It truly is an incredibly hard job, though the rewards are pretty incredible (financial ones aside!).<br /><br />I need my time at the computer to stay sane. And I need my time with Rosemary to stay sane, too. Of course, if I were a full-time mum, for whatever reason, I imagine I would, as you say, grow into, as we generally grow into other jobs. I would probably develop the same kind of coping strategies I had to develop when I had a horrible boss, or when I had taken on way too much work and was veering towards breakdown. Because you do.<br /><br />Interesting post. Hope you SIL finds things easier, soon.Coding Mamma (Tasha)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17374751246656722167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-56612197358252937942009-07-07T13:27:52.987+01:002009-07-07T13:27:52.987+01:00Well said! This is why I have now decided that all...Well said! This is why I have now decided that all my children will be born 4-5 years apart instead of the 18-24 months I insisted on in the past!PippaDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15874707231134755321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-89473441258736160942009-07-07T13:15:29.531+01:002009-07-07T13:15:29.531+01:00As a soon to be first time Mum, this was a really ...As a soon to be first time Mum, this was a really interesting read. I am so curious to know whether I will want to return to work or not, I really have no idea at the moment.Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11848203901556742390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5175562867822111389.post-83284635991126997652009-07-07T13:03:04.736+01:002009-07-07T13:03:04.736+01:00Quality post. And I don't know anyone who find...Quality post. And I don't know anyone who finds it easy, even those that make it look that way. It is simply a slog at the beginning, with little in return.Ian Newboldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12411720154080724038noreply@blogger.com