seriously...well done mums

[anapau]

Ok so despite having a fair amount of childcare experience already (babysitting, the odd bit of childminding and classroom teaching), this week was the first week I've done full days sole charge with two little girls (nearly 3 and nearly 6).

They were lovely and I have really, really enjoyed it, but oh my goodness I am exhausted. We did a lot of trips, venturing as far as the science museum! and navigated public transport with pram and all; everything ran smoothly but nonetheless, having to keep track of girls/scooters/buggys whilst keeping them fed/watered/happy......people do noooot appreciate just how DIFFICULT and exhausting (yet, of course, also very rewarding) this can be. Especially the incredibly unsympathetic bus drivers I've had to deal with - what is with them??

Not that I didn't already, but this week has made me respect you mothers so much, and given me the smallest hint of what looking after children full-time must be like. Wow.

I hope this doesn't sound at all patronising, I'm genuinely just quite in awe. Good on you mothers, seriously.

[bluesuperted]

Wow that's such a nice thing to post, thanks from one EDF mum!

It is hard but rewarding. But hard! Especially in this heat, with more than one and on the buses. Well done you for doing so much with your two charges! I have my husband off with me at the moment and I think he is now truly realising how challenging it can be to get out and about in this weather with two little ones - and that's with both of us on task!

I hope your post helps some mums or dads out there feeling a bit overwhelmed and snowed under by it all to feel proud of themselves. New mums especially. I also recommend reading Naomi Stadlen books, they really helped me transition from life pre baby to pos baby in terms of how you are still working, doing and achieving, just in a very different (and more important IMHO) way than before.

[Crokes]

Lovely post (thanks for another mum) and well done too (although it's no surprise that you managed this week so well, you're very competent and brilliant with kids).

[anapau]

Aw, thank you and good on you both, Mums!

[Belle]

Do you do babysitting Anapau? Would love to have someone like you babysit my kids. So nice to hear this - came at a good time, and I bet there are loads of other ED mums and dads feeling the same!

[anapau]

I do Belle, PM me if you like. But please don't think that the point of my OP was to slyly get more contacts!!

[Belle]

Not at all! Was a lovely thing to read. Summer holidays are hard!

Will deffo PM as we're on the lookout for a babysitter.

[jonbateson]

What a fab post! Thank you from another ed mummy, m

[midivydale]

And thank you frm me too!

[srisky]

Ditto all the previous posts. Too sleepy to think of something original to say but it is much appreciated, especially as sometimes (often) I wonder if I should be coping better & doing more!

[astrid83]

And thank you from me, and have to give credits to you too, I'm a new mum but have also worked in childcare for many years and know how stressful it is to look after someone else's children, so it sounds like you have done very well this week!

[mima08]

and another thank you! Having only one and still feeling regularly overwhelmed, this is a lovely message. And well done you for doing a great job.

[anapau]

haha you're all very welcome and I wish more (childless) people recognized the sheer strenuousness of the 'job'!

[Helen GV]

Reminded me of the attached pic that someone put up on Facebook..