Keeping it simple

[Annette Curtain]

Pork chop with the fat on

A little salt

Under a hot grill, turned once and a few small tomatoes thrown in

Served as is

Glass of Cider

French doors open, birds singing

No book-paper-media-phone

30-40 minutes of just me the chop & the cider

Very peaceful

I've been doing this sort of thing of late, taking time out, keeping it simple, being mindful as it were

It works, amidst the hectic pace of city/family life

Highly recomended

[Otta]

What is your secret, how do you get this time on your own?

My family refuse to fuck off and give me some peace however much I beg.

[El Pibe]

I think you may need a day off ots.

Personally I'm hoping it all gets a lot easier once they're 4 & 6 respectively, just 2 and a half years to go.......

[Otta]

I keep hoping that too. It's terrible, I'm wishing my life away.

[El Pibe]

I'm loving it, but it is very very tiring isnt it.

I am hoping that Ireland will be a change of pace, allowing more of nettie's behaviour. My big fear is that I'll end up commuting 4 hours a day :(

['bout now]

Annette Curtain Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Pork chop with the fat on

>

> A little salt

>

> Under a hot grill, turned once and a few small

> tomatoes thrown in

>

> Served as is

>

> Glass of Cider

>

> French doors open, birds singing

>

> No book-paper-media-phone

>

> 30-40 minutes of just me the chop & the cider

>

> Very peaceful

>

>

> I've been doing this sort of thing of late, taking

> time out, keeping it simple, being mindful as it

> were

>

> It works, amidst the hectic pace of city/family

> life

>

> Highly recomended

then post on an internet forum. Oh the irony( insert winky thing)

[Annette Curtain]

There's no harm in wishing a bit of peace and space into your life, even if you do have children. There's also no harm in admitting that some bits are fairly mundane, even though children are a gift. It's really fekkin hard work when they're young.

That said, it is easier when the little ones grow up a bit. 4+ is when it gets much more fun I reckon. And the bit where they are no longer a danger to themselves (however you define that) is when it eases up considerably

After that it's up to you negotiate a little space, however that manifests

It's why the simplicity of my OP works sometimes, it's only taken 12 years to get 40 mins alone with a chop

What a great 40 minutes tho !

:))

[????]

With my youngest coming up to 4 there are four major things that have changed and improve daily and have given me and mrs quids some pace

1 increased attention spans means they sometimes are interested in things for more than 3 minutes

2 they all have enough self preservation instinct to not try and stick pens in plug sockets etc

3 they can sort out their own entertainment in terms of switching things on, choosing books, getting games out and set up

4 they actually play together properly withought fighting fairly often

Gradually, this space has crept up but is now noticeably different from not that long ago and increasing by the day. I have some of my life back...a bit.

[Otta]

Much as I moan (and I do like a good moan), I do see things changing / improving. The little one has only just turned 2, but she follows her sister (4) so much that she seems older than her 2 years in a lot of ways. For me the worst thing is being so broke all the time. I long for the day when they're both at school and the wife can increase her working hours (and some of my money will be my own again!!!).

[Jeremy]

How long before you can force the kids to deliver newspapers and junk mail for a bit of cash? That should keep them out of your hair for a bit (and earn you a bit of beer money).

[Ant]

I'd say 2 and 4 is still fairly firmly in doomland, Otta. As others have said, 4+ for youngest is when it eases up a little. (Then you just need to keep an eye out for the eldest hitting puberty.)

[Otta]

*shudders*

[LadyDeliah]

I'm glad mine are all grown up. It was exhausting at times in my 20's, no idea how people in their mid 30's + manage with young kids.

[StraferJack]

Or mid 40s. Cough

[Otta]

Ha ha, that should make me feel better SJ, BUT you're bot quite the specimen of unfitness that I am :-/

[????]

Of 50s

[LadyDeliah]

Lol, however old, you lot are braver than me. A day with my granddaughter has me sparko for the whole of the next day!

[Dopamine1979]

Whilst I am as partial to some peace and quiet as the next man, I would probably demolish the pork chop within about 5 minutes then get bored sitting there for 40 minutes gazing into space.

A good book would make this scenario perfect.

[El Pibe]

wot dopamine said....with added Pimms

[Otta]

For me a chance to plug a guitar in and practice for an hour is gokd dust.

[red devil]

Simple, just the ankle biters 'join in' Ots...

http://www.craxor.com/foftar/Guitar-big.jpg

[Otta]

That's too much like a strat. My girls have a toy Les Paul.

[Jeremy]

Actually it looks more like a Jaguar to me...

 

[Otta]

Stll Fender! ;-)

[Otta]

That's my girls' axe (attached).