On LOVING getting back to normal

Posted on By Becky

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Okay, I raise my hand and confess- my name is Becky and I’m a routineaholic. Call me anal, but whilst I adore Christmas and all that comes with it- the PJ days spent lazing around, the fact we’re not actually tied to going anywhere at any particular time, a lot more telly and later nights all round – a big part of me really thrives on a bit of structure and knowing what the plan is for the following day. I love a plan!

The children were fabulous over Christmas, and we had loads of fun with them, but even they are much better behaved and less grumpy when we’re in our normal routine. I don’t know about you, but our two are the sort of small people that could go to bed at 7pm and wake at 6-6.30am (or earlier, if they’re taking the piss), and they could go to bed at 8,9,10pm (this happened over the festive period at times) and STILL wake at 6am, even though it’s dark outside and there is nothing obvious that’s waking them up. I swear, if we’re ever short of cash, I should sell their bodies to science as they clearly have some crazy internal alarm that tells them to wake at the same time regardless of how much sleep they’ve had. Drives us mad, and means we never, ever get a lie in *wails* Just stroppy children. Which are no one’s friend.

This week Freddie has gone back to preschool, Sasha has gone to my Mum’s on her two days (and will be joining F at preschool next week, eek!), Adam has gone back to work and my inner calm has been restored. Don’t get me wrong , I love having them all around, but it now means I can crack on with my social media management work, source and photograph some more stock for ‘What Would Irene Do?’ without feeling rushed, and generally enjoy wafting around the place in peace. There are less fights to break up as they have some time apart from each other, I don’t have to think what we can do for a WHOLE day when the weather is pants (I am okay at planning crafts/activities in bursts, but in any case, my two will have Tasmanian Deviled their way through Organised Fun within 15 minutes) and we all feel better for a little time apart from one another.

Am I the only one who feels this way or am I a FREAK?! I speak to others who say they are so, so sad their children are returning to school/nursery after the holidays, where as I smile and nod and think ‘WEIRDO’! I don’t meant to do my awesome family a disservice but we all seem to do better once ‘normal life’ resumes!

*what happens after 3 weeks of Christmas madness

Linking up with Honest Mum and Brilliant Blog Posts!

Becky Freeman

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.

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Comments (14)

  1. YES!!! We love a bit of routine here too! And I too have those children that wake at 6.30 regardless of their bedtime. We are just fortunate that they amuse themselves now (it’ll come Becks, it’ll come!) while we lie on a bit. I must admit I am missing their faces a tiny bit this week – the grass is always greener though – last week I’d have sold them to the highest bidder!! 🙂 Enjoy your peace and quiet today lovely xxx

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  2. We only had a week and a half off. Luckily N was able to go out with his dad on the farm on a couple of days, but it still wasn’t in large enough chunks for me to do the bits I wanted to. I was going insane from not seeing people so any longer I’d have had to have dragged him round to see everyone I know. It is a lot easier with one, and he’s easy to entertain (let him play outside in the cold and ice!), but I would have loved to have not gone back to work, especially now I’m back to total manic full on everything wasn’t expected. I need more holiday time to sleep.

    Oh and the early morning thing. I get that here too. His first ever lie in was Christmas day and he woke at 7.45am, but usually it’s around 6.15-6.30, but usually even with late nights he’ll still be up the same time.

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    1. I wonder why they do that?! One of life’s mysteries! It’s good that N could go out on the farm, but I totally get you when you say you need larger chunks of time to do stuff- I find it hard to focus at the moment on anything detailed if my two rascals are around!

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  3. Great photo hon, what a pair of stunners 😉 I prefer the holidays tbh, my eldest is struggling at school and I hated sending her back after all the progress we’ve made these last two weeks. Sigh!

    I can completely understand where you’re coming from though lovely, if I had kids that really enjoyed school/nursery and them going meant time for me (as opposed to still looking after a baby & toddler) then I’m sure I’d be feeling exactly the same xxx

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    1. Oh gosh yes, I can understand why you’d prefer the holidays after all your hard work, it must be so frustrating 🙁 hoping she settles again quickly xx

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  4. Our kids are the same, drives me nuts. 8 hours, 10 hours’ sleep – what’s the diff, mum? I see the school term as my holiday so am glad when it comes, but this year I had a weird soppy feeing about my husband going back to work (and only partly because it meant I was left alone with Them). The mind is a funny thing…! Great post, hilarious photo! #brilliantblogposts

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  5. So so true. I love christmas but routine and the security that comes with it is everything. I am only just starting to feel tidy and back in the routine now but it makes me feel a lot happier! x

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  6. I felt really torn on Monday about the little man heading back to preschool and the Mr back to work, because while I’d loved all the unlimited family fun I was actually really looking forward to getting back to our routines. It was so nice to have my shower and my lunch at the right times, for someone else to entertain the little guy for a bit, and by 5 on Monday evening, it was like Christmas had never even happened.
    And my kiddos are crazy with the sleep too. They actually sleep later when they go to bed earlier, and are up earlier when they go to bed too late. Luckily my children tend to start asking for bed about 6.30pm regardless of how much excitement there is, so there weren’t any Christmas late nights for them (or the corresponding stupidly early mornings for us!!!)
    x

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    1. Yup, ours are the same with sleep- if we put them to bed at 6.30 they will sleep 12 hours, if it’s later they seem to wake earlier, I JUST DON’T GET IT!!! x

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  8. Haha love the pic, I think it’s the structure and calm that is lovely, a more balanced way of life although I loved the holidays, was our most fun yet as the kids are a little older so could appreciate more and it was all pretty joyous. Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts xx

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