Life before children and now

I used to be economically active. I miss my financial independence. One day, when I stop having babies I'll earn some money again. It sounds like I don't need to work, I do. But working would involve paying for childcare and not many people are going to employ someone who's 21 weeks pregnant either. Also, I want to bring up my babies myself for some reason, and I often wonder why. How times have changed. Here is a typical day when I used to work and now.

6am
Then: woken up by alarm, leap into shower, breakfast, into smart clothes, make-up on, nice shoes, nice bag, hair which is brushed, kiss husband, out of house and onto train to London.
Now: woken up by one or both children shouting / laughing / crying / getting into our bed or by baby leaping around in tummy. Get into clothes which are stretchy and have vague traces of snot on them. Sort children's breakfast and cats' breakfast and try to eat Cheerios before they go soggy.

10am
Then: One meeting out of the way already, catch up with office gossip by coffee machine, deal with 20 zillion e-mails (don't miss that).
Now: Finally get into shower as Podge watches CBeebies and Fington has a nap. Deal with text messages from friends about doing soft play or feeding ducks. Make-up on. Possibly. Does it make any difference? Tie hair back in a scrunchie.

Lunch
Then: Try and eat sandwich at desk while constantly disturbed by phone and people at desk
Now: Try and eat sandwich in kitchen while constantly disturbed by children refusing to eat food/ wanting other food/ throwing food.

Afternoon
Then: Manipulate facts and figures to create some ridiculous report my manager has suddenly decided is needed by the end of the day.
Now: Manipulate Duplo blocks to create some ridiculous vehicle Podge has suddenly decided is needed within five minutes.

6pm
Then: Leave office, glass of wine with colleagues, train back home, kiss husband, relax.
Now: Children's dinner time fraught with overtired tantrums (and that's just me), bath time, story time, bed time, collapse in heap time, kiss husband, fall asleep.

Evening
Then: Reflect that there must be something more fulfilling in life than working. Having children must be it.
Now: Reflect? Too old and tired.

This post was written byWhistlejacket,a mum to two boys in her 30s that lives in Berkshire. She's expecting a third baby at the end of 2009. This has been carefully planned so she can be disorganised at Christmas and have a good excuse. You can read more at her blog, Babyrambles.

Comments

[A Modern Mother]

It's fun to look back. Seems like another life, doesn't it?

[Deborah]

Hopefully there is a good nights sleep (or at least some kind of sleep!) in there as well!Ah yes, just re-read and I can see the sleep is in there early on - more of a nap time! Hope the reflection means that there is at least some early night and a good sleep to face the next day!