April 2014 - Confessions of a Slummy Mummy

Happy Easter from the Macdonalds

Posted on 19th April 2014 at 3:51 pm.

Instagram Feed

swipe >>> to see what’s got Ernie so excited!! .

swipe >>> to see what’s got Ernie so excited!!
.
Yep! These photos pretty much sum up what it’s like having three boys in less than five years.
.
Yet, while all three find poo hilarious, they couldnt be more different
Rupert is reserved, sarcastic, methodical and wise
Ernie, cheeky, tactile, emotional and protective
Gully is empathetic, musical, expressive and temperate
.
I just love watching their relationship develop, despite their differences I’d say they all get on quite well...
.
Yes, we got out the house today! 🎉
.
🌲 🌈

What’s your hobby? . I’m a flitter, bit of a j

What’s your hobby?
.
I’m a flitter, bit of a jack of all but master of none when it comes to crafts.
.
I made a number of weaves for the house last year on my small loom so my husband got me a larger one for our anniversary, I love how this wall hanging is looking but def lacking the motivation to finish it.
.
sums me up really, full of ideas but lacking perseverance 🤣 it’s taking all the will power in the world not to buy any new craft supplies until this one is finished .
🌈 🌈 🌈

Groundhog Day! . Anyone else not really going out

Groundhog Day!
.
Anyone else not really going out still? Seems like the whole world is busy again, meeting family, shopping daily or having exciting excursions.....
.
I had a socially distanced cupa and catch up with friends the other day and it felt amazing, made me realise how much I miss social interaction. My husband is an introvert and as much as I love his quiet stability, I do crave company more than he does....
.
Pre-covid we went for a walk every weekend now we aren’t even doing that, I think it’s almost like we have got into a habit of staying home, anything else requires too much effort 💤
.
I do think Dory deserves to see more the outside world though.
.
🐝 🏠 ☕️ 🌳 🚗
.
Gorgeous romper #gifted by the fabulous @emiliaraekids
.
🐝 🐝 🐝

Large families in lockdown . Last week I went to

Large families in lockdown
.
Last week I went to the supermarket for the first time in 12 weeks, Dory came too! It was the first time she has ever been in a trolly. Isn’t it funny how something that silly and mundane is now a milestone rather than commonplace? She didn’t make a sound and spent the whole time looking around, it must have been strange for her.
.
I’m tied to the children through breastfeeding and not driving so It hasn’t made sense for me to go until now, not when Scott can go alone, but I’ve been feeling a bit suffocated at home so he dropped me off and waited in the car with the others so I could nip in for Father’s Day bits.
.
it’s going to be a long time still before it’s acceptable for our whole family to enter a shop together I guess it wouldn’t be a problem with one or two children but five?! we know we will get some raised eyebrows.
.
Oh and to link in with the image the alcohol aisle was the busiest..... 😂 anyone else drinking more during this time?
.
🍹🍹🍹

Learning! . At the start of lockdown we decided to

Learning!
.
At the start of lockdown we decided to unschool our children and then follow their lead re: more formal education.
.
It’s been a mixed bag, with each child needing a different level of parental involvement, some days we do nothing. Some a few activities, or even just ten mins before they’re done. We rarely work from the schools planners....It’s just not doable to balance homeschooling with five children and that’s ok.
.
Rupert has learnt how to measure up for furniture and package parcels, Gulliver can put on a wash with only parental supervision, Harriet can make a satchel from scratch and Ernie’s learnt how to blow up balloons. To follow the schedule set by school would be to destroy our relationships here. (And I’m pretty sure the school understand that too)
.
We can’t keep them fed and clothed and the house in a good state while teaching new concepts and juggling a baby. We can’t spend our evening printing and reading lesson plans when really we need to just drink a gin and celebrate survival.
.
Sometimes I get a stab of guilt that the emails are building up and we arnt doing enough, sometimes I see other parents doing more and feel inadequate but then I remember that my goal for my children, and our family as a whole, is happiness and their education is not a reflection on me.
.
To introduce a formal schedule, or to set any form of expectation beyond our capabilities would be emotionally damaging to us all.... if you can manage it, if your children respond to it, then that’s awesome. But if you can’t.... then don’t. I don’t want this time marked by stress and anxiety....... a child doesn’t learn because they’re forced and education isn’t something to be endured to reach an end game.
.
If you find yourself saying they ‘have to’ then you lose all chance of them ‘wanting’
.
I won’t sacrifice anyone’s mental health to prevent them falling behind some government set standard ..... learning comes from a place of calm self-confidence and that place is our only base line during this time, anything else is a bonus.
.
💛💚💛💚

Footstapes Image