#clickinmoms

From a diary of a working mum...

After another restless night, the alarm buzzed at 05:45, but I snooze it until 06:20, as it’s nearly Friday and getting up is a real struggle. Theia decides to wake up with me, which sucks, as I cannot spend an hour in pure silence, but there you are.

My incredibly dramatic and whiney child decides to tantrum through her morning, throwing every option of breakfast straight at me, whilst I make coffee to keep my eyes half open. Don’t get me started on the dog and cat, tangled between my legs, demanding feeding. It wasn’t until 7:00, that I actually got a move on, otherwise I would have fallen asleep on the sofa.

I make Theia’s lunch and pack her nursery bag. Dress her, brush hair, using my phone as an item of bribery, if not, she would go to nursery looking homeless. Encourage to brush teeth. Dress myself, make up, hair. We are out of the door just after 08:00 (first time this week!), I even squeeze in a quick natter with my mother.

Theia is throwing yet another tantrum as at the tender age of nearly 2, she has suddenly lost the use of her legs to get to nursery, so I carry her. If my back could gesticulate, it would show me a prominent middle finger for doing that daily. Theia successfully placed in nursery, so I run home, quick sip of my cold coffee and I’m on my way to work to start at 9.

Work - demanding, eventful, tiring, but in a sick and twisted way, fun as always. By midday, I want to bash my head against the computer and pass out, in hope for a wink of sleep. Three coffee’s later, it’s 17:00, at last! I’m going home. Quick trip to the shop as I ran out of the magical potion of sanity - coffee - and straight to pick up Theia.

Theia was good at nursery, what a relief. No bumps on her head as a result of silly behaviour or time out in the managers office. I bribe her once again, this time with chocolate, to let me carry her home, otherwise she bolts to the park and that’s a shit storm of its own kind, because whatever the weather, swings are life. Get home, another coffee. Coffee doesn’t even scratch the surface anymore; at this point of the day, I strongly consider illegal substances to give me a boost.

I rush downstairs. Start cleaning the kitchen, garden, laundry on, I still haven’t put the dry washing away, but surely it can wait till Christmas? Bathroom cleaned, toilet scrubbed. Hoovered, due to the dog destroying a shoe box, one of my shoes from the charity shop (which cost £3) and various leaflets. Air freshening the living hell out of the house, because it smells of wet dog.

Dinner is nearly ready. I finally take my shoes off and sit down... the clock reads 21:50. I finally sit down, to have my dinner...

So please, don’t question me, when I’m nearly falling asleep at my desk. When I don’t laugh at every single joke or want to engage in social interactions. When I’m tearful for no reason, due to the state I’m in, as I can literally feel the hormones buzzing within me. When I suddenly lose the will to live. When I snap, bite and frown. I’m not asking for admiration, pity or even a gold star. Just understanding. Being a working mum is rough and today is a proof of it. I’m just trying to survive yet another day. Over and out.

Edit:

Road trips can be a ton of fun but they can also be pretty stressful. Getting ready for a road trip can be super simple with these five must haves! My son is five years old and we’ve been taking road trips since he was about nine months old. The first few trips I packed a whole bunch of stuff and didn’t really need everything. Now that we’ve done this over a dozen times with a mix of short and long trips I have compiled a good list of my road trip must haves.

1. A CUP THAT KEEPS THE ICE COLD. My whole family loves ice water but it is not always easy to keep ice frozen. Hours of driving, in and out of the car, in and out of the sun, the ice melts fast. Now there are so many cups that keep the ice frozen and the water ice cold. I love the RTIC cups! https://www.amazon.com/RTIC-RTIC30-30-oz-Tumbler/dp/B019D9HESO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1520205620&sr=8-5&keywords=rtic+cups+30+oz

2. ONE DOLLAR BILLS FOR THE VENDING MACHINES. I don’t care how many drinks and snacks I pack someone will always want something from the vending machines at the rest stop. I guess it is just the excitement of putting the money in and making your selection that draws people in. No matter how well I plan and how well I pack we always end up getting something from the vending machines. Nothing is worse than stopping after hours on the road and listening to your child freak out because you forgot to bring a dollar for the vending machine. Avoid the drama and save up those one dollar bills!

3. TRASH BAG. Ok, I admit, this one is a pretty obvious one but I have been known to forget a time or two. It sucks being stuck in a cramped car as it is but it is even worse when the car has trash everywhere. Having a trash bag means all of the trash can go in the bag and easily emptied at a gas station or rest stop. Easy clean up and more room for fun car games or a nice nap.

4. MUSIC. Yes another obvious one! I hate trying to find a good radio station as I’m driving from state to state so I like to bring plenty of CD’s. People still use CD’s right? I make sure to bring plenty because once I’ve memorized and sung every song once or twice I need to move on.

5. BABY WIPES! I don’t care who you are or if you even have a baby, baby wipes are a life saver! At sketchy rest stops with no toilet paper? Baby wipes! Spill your soda all over the place? Baby wipes! Sticky hands? Baby wipes! Want to freshen up after being in the car all day? Baby wipes! I’m telling you if you have an issue babywipes are the solution. I like most baby wipes I have tried but my advice is getting non-scented.

Bonus tip! If you need to save your receipts from the trip bring a gallon size zip lock bag. Whenever you get a receipt put it in the bag and store the bag in the glove box.