Today was the twins first swimming lesson. NOT i might stress, taught by myself as I definitely do not have the patience nor the inclination to do that! We joined David Lloyd gym about a year ago and never used it, only that random time every few months where I realised I need to do some kind of exercise if I'm going to carry on enjoying my secret chocolate club. Thats what I'm calling it now, like its not just me by myself in the kitchen late at night.
Anyway. The lessons are half an hour and its one teacher to four children ratio. To my surprise it worked out perfectly. Usually any sort of activity consists of military organisation and circus juggling skills. It was definitely the best way I have spent a Saturday morning for a while and I would certainly recommend to others. Just be mentally prepared for the trauma of the changing rooms afterwards. Even in a family sized changing room we, being larger in numbers that the average family, struggled for space. The best way I can describe it was, grabbing two children arms as the other two, looking like baby bambi on ice, slip and slide all over the place. At least I hadn't been in the pool too otherwise I know for a fact I would have been doing the grab-a-kid dance naked. I have never grasped the skill of tying a towel round me successfully and having it stay in place. That is going on my to learn list, as well as the saxophone, joinery, and knitting. (As if.)
Well good luck, the smiles on their faces are worth the sticky changing room floor, promise.
Lauren xx
P.s I wrote this in 2017 just never got around to posting haha
Sunday, 7 July 2019
I'm alive
Omgosh I did not realise how long it has been since I posted! The days are long but the years are fast right? So quick update...
I have gotten married, bought and renovated a house, all of the twins are in school (youngest twins are five and older twins are six) and I have a teenager. (Oh and I turned thirty but we shall whisper that.)
I find that every day is more challenging. When those well wishers come to visit you after you give birth and tell you it gets easier, they are LYING. I never thought I'd say this but I miss the days of having my four babies all lined up in their high chairs ready to be fed. All chubby and cheeky, mobile enough to have fun playtimes but not so much that I have to chase them all over the house.
But with growth comes new challenges which is exciting but I must admit I have been struggling of late. Everything has to be equal!!! All of the time. As they grow I must too I suppose. To teach them respect but not stifle their strong opions. To give them love but not guard them too close. Encourage and support them to give them confidence, but not spoilt them where they think the world revolves around them. The balancing act that we all face and we are amazing.
My parenting style is my children mean the world to me, but they are NOT my whole world. When I am feeling overwhelmed I make sure I take time for myself. Even the littlest things like setting my alarm a little earlier so I get ten minutes in the mornings has made me feel much more calm and in control. It can feel like I am alone in my little world with little or no adult conversation to be had until my husband comes home from work. I'm so excited to see him and tell him all the mundane things that have happened that day, while he just wants to be fed and left in peace to wind down. This is another balancing act that I'm not sure on how I'm doing either. I feel that at this point in my life I'm stuck. I suppose sometimes I can be too hard on myself. I must say that I am not feeling sorry for myself. I am so blessed to have five healthy children but is it wrong to want more? Even if I dont know what it is I want?
Maybe I'm just greedy haha. But life is for living and I will forever want to explore places and learn more about who I truly am so I can be the best mum I can be to my children.
So I am carving out time on sundays now for me. I will not feel guilty (maybe slightly) but I feel self reflection and learning can only be a positive. A happy mum means happy kids.
Lauren xx
I have gotten married, bought and renovated a house, all of the twins are in school (youngest twins are five and older twins are six) and I have a teenager. (Oh and I turned thirty but we shall whisper that.)
I find that every day is more challenging. When those well wishers come to visit you after you give birth and tell you it gets easier, they are LYING. I never thought I'd say this but I miss the days of having my four babies all lined up in their high chairs ready to be fed. All chubby and cheeky, mobile enough to have fun playtimes but not so much that I have to chase them all over the house.
But with growth comes new challenges which is exciting but I must admit I have been struggling of late. Everything has to be equal!!! All of the time. As they grow I must too I suppose. To teach them respect but not stifle their strong opions. To give them love but not guard them too close. Encourage and support them to give them confidence, but not spoilt them where they think the world revolves around them. The balancing act that we all face and we are amazing.
My parenting style is my children mean the world to me, but they are NOT my whole world. When I am feeling overwhelmed I make sure I take time for myself. Even the littlest things like setting my alarm a little earlier so I get ten minutes in the mornings has made me feel much more calm and in control. It can feel like I am alone in my little world with little or no adult conversation to be had until my husband comes home from work. I'm so excited to see him and tell him all the mundane things that have happened that day, while he just wants to be fed and left in peace to wind down. This is another balancing act that I'm not sure on how I'm doing either. I feel that at this point in my life I'm stuck. I suppose sometimes I can be too hard on myself. I must say that I am not feeling sorry for myself. I am so blessed to have five healthy children but is it wrong to want more? Even if I dont know what it is I want?
Maybe I'm just greedy haha. But life is for living and I will forever want to explore places and learn more about who I truly am so I can be the best mum I can be to my children.
So I am carving out time on sundays now for me. I will not feel guilty (maybe slightly) but I feel self reflection and learning can only be a positive. A happy mum means happy kids.
Lauren xx
Friday, 20 January 2017
Back again!
Well, here I am once again. I find myself plodding along nicely in life but as soon as I feel a little down, my thoughts immediately return to this blog. Maybe a therapy in a sense, or a way to feel a little more connected to anybody who may read this. A little like motherhood. Always wanting to find somebody to connect to.
The challenges with the children are, as always, changing daily. But as Dory would say, just keep swimming.
My eldest daughter will be eleven (wow) next month. Her attitude is also changing daily! For which I can't moan about in the slightest as my dad told me, its karma. Haha. She is currently preparing for her SATS exams which she is completely worked up about. Not sure how I feel on these tests at the moment to be honest, although I am sure she will always do her best. She is also in full swing with her athletics club, learning Japanese and aikido. Not sure how I'm making this sound like a fucking CV I haven't meant to!
My eldest set of twins are now four, the younger set are now three. Myself and my partner are getting married this year, in august. We are also moving house in a couple of weeks. Did i mention my partner has his own business? A building company which has taken off the past year. Which is great for us financially but not so great for stress and the overall quality time we can spend together.
I do not really have one particular point for this blog post as there is no particular reason for me feeling sad today. I am just being completely selfish but feeling better already. All I could do with right now is a french 75 cocktail (if you haven't discovered these yet please Pinterest right now).
On a much more positive note! (can you tell I have drunk my cocktail now?) One of my friends that I have known for twenty years, just found out she is having twins! So naturally it brings me back to that moment of panic and joy and shock that I, and I assume you who is reading this, felt when I was told that news. Amazing. It also reminded me of the unnerving dread of the reality that I actually didn't have a fucking clue where to start! So, in honour of my friend and the fact that it is fun to look at cute baby stuff, I will post on Monday all of the best buys when you are expecting twins as well as the shit you do not need to waste money on.
As for now, everybody in the house is fast asleep, so I will have another cocktail in the peace and quiet and eat all the chocolate that I hid in the laundry room, out in the open like a free woman!
Well not that free as I will have to make sure that the wrappers are in the bin under other random, boring food waste as to not give the game away.
Lauren x
The challenges with the children are, as always, changing daily. But as Dory would say, just keep swimming.
My eldest daughter will be eleven (wow) next month. Her attitude is also changing daily! For which I can't moan about in the slightest as my dad told me, its karma. Haha. She is currently preparing for her SATS exams which she is completely worked up about. Not sure how I feel on these tests at the moment to be honest, although I am sure she will always do her best. She is also in full swing with her athletics club, learning Japanese and aikido. Not sure how I'm making this sound like a fucking CV I haven't meant to!
My eldest set of twins are now four, the younger set are now three. Myself and my partner are getting married this year, in august. We are also moving house in a couple of weeks. Did i mention my partner has his own business? A building company which has taken off the past year. Which is great for us financially but not so great for stress and the overall quality time we can spend together.
I do not really have one particular point for this blog post as there is no particular reason for me feeling sad today. I am just being completely selfish but feeling better already. All I could do with right now is a french 75 cocktail (if you haven't discovered these yet please Pinterest right now).
On a much more positive note! (can you tell I have drunk my cocktail now?) One of my friends that I have known for twenty years, just found out she is having twins! So naturally it brings me back to that moment of panic and joy and shock that I, and I assume you who is reading this, felt when I was told that news. Amazing. It also reminded me of the unnerving dread of the reality that I actually didn't have a fucking clue where to start! So, in honour of my friend and the fact that it is fun to look at cute baby stuff, I will post on Monday all of the best buys when you are expecting twins as well as the shit you do not need to waste money on.
As for now, everybody in the house is fast asleep, so I will have another cocktail in the peace and quiet and eat all the chocolate that I hid in the laundry room, out in the open like a free woman!
Well not that free as I will have to make sure that the wrappers are in the bin under other random, boring food waste as to not give the game away.
Lauren x
 |
| Add caption |
Thursday, 27 August 2015
Leaving the house...
I often tell people I never leave the house, obviously this is a lie. I do venture outside occasionally. When the twins were babies and therefore couldn't walk, a pushchair was a must. "Go for a walk" they said. "Get some fresh air" they said. Well I must stress that it was impossible. I had two double pushchairs so physically could not leave the house alone. It does get slightly tedious having to ask for help to take my children for a walk. And as much as people want to help, they do have their own lives to live. "It'll get easier when they are walking" they said. The "it'll get easier" statement is one of the biggest lies of parenthood I'm sorry to say. In fact not just of parenthood. It's up there with "I'll be home in five minutes" "no you don't look fat in that" and all those Pinterest tutorials.
I still can not leave the house alone. Well I could if I don't mind losing a child, which although sometimes is tempting, is not an option.
So on Tuesday I recruited my partners brothers girlfriend (aha) to come for a walk with us. After getting all the children fed and washed and dressed and then myself, we were finally ready to go at 11am. We got up at 7. I'm not too sure why everything takes so long these days I'm dreading going back to the school run. Anyway, the best thing about the outside world, especially a nice forest walk, is that the twins get to burn off a shit load of energy and I am reminded of the beauty of the outside. Whenever I feel stressed or the twins are getting bored and restless I will just pack us in the car and drive to a forest.
Day trips are a different kettle of fish. As are park visits. In fact there is too much to say about those I think I'll have to do a different blog post.
Lauren xx
I still can not leave the house alone. Well I could if I don't mind losing a child, which although sometimes is tempting, is not an option.
So on Tuesday I recruited my partners brothers girlfriend (aha) to come for a walk with us. After getting all the children fed and washed and dressed and then myself, we were finally ready to go at 11am. We got up at 7. I'm not too sure why everything takes so long these days I'm dreading going back to the school run. Anyway, the best thing about the outside world, especially a nice forest walk, is that the twins get to burn off a shit load of energy and I am reminded of the beauty of the outside. Whenever I feel stressed or the twins are getting bored and restless I will just pack us in the car and drive to a forest.
Day trips are a different kettle of fish. As are park visits. In fact there is too much to say about those I think I'll have to do a different blog post.
Lauren xx
Wednesday, 26 August 2015
Do you ever feel like you're drowning?
I do. I feel like I'm drowning right now. I am exhausted. Physically and emotionally. Sometimes it feels as if whatever I do is never enough. I know most women or men do feel the same but when you experience it for yourself it's so lonely. I mean what makes me capable of raising these children? What makes anybody? It's scary and overwhelming and even to admit that, now, is even more frightening. I suppose I'm one of those people that try to keep everything inside and I have gotten quite good at that now. I don't ask for help but why not? Everybody needs support everybody gets scared. Today has definitely just been one of those days where nothing is right. But I know I have five little people looking and watching me and my behaviour and how I cope so I will carry on and start again tomorrow with a smile. No matter how weak you may feel you can always find strength from somewhere or someone. Just felt that I had to share my shit days as well as the great ones.
Lauren xx
Friday, 14 August 2015
Aeroplanes
So I have been AWOL again for a while so I'll bring you up to speed. The youngest set of twins have just turned two. Eeek! It's just flying by. The days are long but the years are short. So they say. whoever they are, i bet they don't have any children.
Anyway, why don't children listen? Even when they start the conversation with you. "mummy there's an aeroplane" oh that's a lovely aeroplane darling. "mummy theres an aeroplane" yes very nice I can see the aeroplane. "mummy theres an aeroplane" Yes I just said I can see the fucking aeroplane!!!
So I read a "fact" that four year olds ask 400 odd questions a day. I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for when I have four children asking me things that I do not know the answer to. Google is the mistress in our parental relationship. Although my oldest is more astute to the tricks. There's only so much longer I can keep up the facade. But no matter what, your children will always see you as their world. It's great. Even when I sing (and I can't carry a tune) they look at me like I've won eurovision. Which is obviously the aim of life.
Seriously though, as the children grow, so do the responsibilities. Just as you perfect how to deal with one phase, they are on to the next one. I just muddle through and hope I'm making the right decisions and I like to imagine most of you are the same.
Until next time, have a glass of wine and be strong
love lauren x
Tuesday, 13 January 2015
Exhaustion
Hi everyone!
Hope you are all well. There's a slight hint in the title to how I'm feeling at the moment. The thing nobody tells you when you find out you are expecting multiples is just how bloody exhausting it is! Even if they did tell you, which I am warning you now, nothing can prepare you for it. Some days every minute drags on as if it is an hour. It's like doing a marathon on your hands and knees.
Why wasn't i warned?!! There's no cure, no quick fix, no other way than to just get used to feeling Tired All The Time. But isn't that just part of parenting? Whether you have twins or triplets or more? There is always something to be done and always something to do.
The only way I have found to deal with this is just to plod through. I think this is my favourite piece of advice with all things relating to twins. You will get through it and it will get easier. Eventually. Even if that day is when they are moved out. It will happen. So just keep going no matter what because it is all worth it in the end. I promise. I know this even though I am nowhere near "the end" there is always a milestone to reach towards. The end of waking up for night feeds, the end of nappies, the end of reflux!
To be honest, you can become lost in the endless household tasks that only get noticed when they don't get done. (Mum where's my clean socks?) It is so important to take time for yourself. When the hell can I do that?! I can hear you asking me. I'll tell you my secret. I've started setting my alarm in the mornings. I never use an alarm because the sound of four children crying and shouting mummy is definitely enough to wake even the heaviest sleeper (somehow apart from my partner but that's another story). I set my alarm for quarter to seven. So I can wake myself up, lie in bed, go down and make myself a cup of tea and watch the news. It may only be fifteen minutes but it's MINE. (And sometimes it's longer!) And I feel so much more prepared for the day.
I'm not saying this will work for everybody. You may be able to do it at night, at lunchtime, at a random time of day, it doesn't matter WHEN it just matters that you do it. Because you matter and those minutes to yourself matter. So when I'm feeling so exhausted and drained I remember I'll have those minutes again and I'll cherish them! So I can cherish my children more.
Till next time
Lauren xx
Hope you are all well. There's a slight hint in the title to how I'm feeling at the moment. The thing nobody tells you when you find out you are expecting multiples is just how bloody exhausting it is! Even if they did tell you, which I am warning you now, nothing can prepare you for it. Some days every minute drags on as if it is an hour. It's like doing a marathon on your hands and knees.
Why wasn't i warned?!! There's no cure, no quick fix, no other way than to just get used to feeling Tired All The Time. But isn't that just part of parenting? Whether you have twins or triplets or more? There is always something to be done and always something to do.
The only way I have found to deal with this is just to plod through. I think this is my favourite piece of advice with all things relating to twins. You will get through it and it will get easier. Eventually. Even if that day is when they are moved out. It will happen. So just keep going no matter what because it is all worth it in the end. I promise. I know this even though I am nowhere near "the end" there is always a milestone to reach towards. The end of waking up for night feeds, the end of nappies, the end of reflux!
To be honest, you can become lost in the endless household tasks that only get noticed when they don't get done. (Mum where's my clean socks?) It is so important to take time for yourself. When the hell can I do that?! I can hear you asking me. I'll tell you my secret. I've started setting my alarm in the mornings. I never use an alarm because the sound of four children crying and shouting mummy is definitely enough to wake even the heaviest sleeper (somehow apart from my partner but that's another story). I set my alarm for quarter to seven. So I can wake myself up, lie in bed, go down and make myself a cup of tea and watch the news. It may only be fifteen minutes but it's MINE. (And sometimes it's longer!) And I feel so much more prepared for the day.
I'm not saying this will work for everybody. You may be able to do it at night, at lunchtime, at a random time of day, it doesn't matter WHEN it just matters that you do it. Because you matter and those minutes to yourself matter. So when I'm feeling so exhausted and drained I remember I'll have those minutes again and I'll cherish them! So I can cherish my children more.
Till next time
Lauren xx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)