Mums, how do you manage?? | Page 2 | ExpatWoman.com
 

Mums, how do you manage??

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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 03:47
Hi Poppy82. Oh, I sympathise!! Motherhood is a challenge and the transition from sitting to crawling to walking is a hard one. You feel you need to be there to supervise and protect them until they've mastered it. I agree with the others, get cushions, blankets etc or those spongy mats to put on the floor. But what struck me most is that he doesnt nap for long during the day. A baby of 10 mths generally needs 2x 1-2 hour naps during the day and 12 hours at night. What is is sleeping pattern at night? Getting him into a routine is invaluable, both for you and for him. I treasure the times my girls nap!! they're 2 now and only nap 2 hours a day (most days) but it's during that time that I do my housework. Oh, to have a maid!! Could you get a cleaner in once a week for 3 hours to do some cleaning? Try not to worry too much about the housework, enjoy your baby, you dont get this time back again.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 03:00
Hi.DS is 10 months old and im feeling a bit overwhelmed and exhausted.. He is getting more mobile with crawling and cruising. Im just finding it so hard to get anything done in terms of housework/cooking/brushing my teeth lol....while looking after him and ensuring he soesnt hurt himself with a fall or bump onto the tiles. The layout of our place is such that I dont have an area to cordone off for him to play safely,i have to be there with him all the time. It takes ages for him to fall asleep and only naps briefly during the day....I seem to be always gobbling down my food while he is in his highchair after his meal...just tired of feeling tired and frumpy...how do you supermums manage to get things done with a LO in tow? Well I survive by the grace of God I tell you! ;) DH is away most days so have to take care of my two babies and no maid. The house is not always in best condition and I admit I have gone days sometimes without eating myself. I take a quick shower when they are napping. To be honest I also dont know how some women can manage kids and have a house Martha Stewart would be proud of. At least I can say my kids are well fed and well taken care of. They are always nicely dressed and are happy little ones. :)
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 02:41
You can get foam mats from Ace to lay on the floor so if he does tip over, he won't hurt himself. Or simply lay a duvet or blanket down - we do that here at Mum's. I so hear you on the 'can't get anything done' thing, though. I am dreading being on my own again when we get back and not getting breakfast till 4pm.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 00:20
Sorry to hear that Poppy82. I wholeheartedly sympathise!! Do whatever it takes to create a safe, baby proof area for play. Move furniture, buy gates, soft cushions etc. It's a great investment as things will get much worse before they get better! It's so hard when they don't sleep well in the day. Can you work on trying to improve the napping? Hope things get easier for you soon. x
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 January 2011 - 00:05
One thing that used to help quite a lot was a baby walker as the child can move about and follow you around and it´s quite interesting and entertaining for them to be able to do that and they are pretty safe sitting in a walker. Dangerous if you have stairs though and watch out for anything that can be pulled down from that height and if he can climb out of the walker he´s too big for it already ! It IS a difficult age for the parents when the small ones start to move about and when they start to walk. Baby proof the house as much as you can (electric outlets and so on, keep cleaning liquids where he can't reach them), make it as safe as you can and keep baskets of toys or things to play with in every room (my children have all played with interesting pots and pans and cans of corn and tuna and such that they've found in the low kitchen cupboards). I used to put a soft thick blanket on the living room floor and surround it with as many pillows as possible and heaps of toys. The house will look less elegant but that is not important. Tried using a play pen but none of the kids liked it much. Finally, don´t be too hard on yourself, it is a very exhausting time.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 January 2011 - 23:40
Welcome to motherhood :) I make DS sit next to the sink while i brush my teeth and he has his own toothbrush and paste. If u are cooking, just let him sit on the kitchen floor with a few pots pans and spoons. DS and i shower together sometimes, he is 19months. Or I get him to shower with DH. A lot easier for me. A little bit of falling is alright u know.. as long as he doesnt hit his head on the corners and stuff. He prolly doesnt want to sleep which is why he is taking so long to sleep?? Gobbling food.. DH and i went on a date a couple of months back. I finished dinner and desert in 20mins and was so fidgety! I simply have forgotten how it is to eat slowly and in peace! Dont worry.. try to enjoy him.. nothing will happen if u dont eat the perfectly made meal.. or if the bed isnt made for a few days.. or if u havent brushed ur teeth (use listerine instead, or chew strong mint gum!) I hope it helps!
 
 

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