On Wednesday morning I woke up to find myself in October. Now, I know it shouldn’t be much of a shock after all the calendar has been in place for hundreds of years, but I still found myself a bit staggered when it happened. For the whole summer I was always assuming that life would calm down when it got to September and school started again, but instead the opposite has happened. Things have become more than a bit crazy instead.
I thought things were going to be a bit more straightforward. Master C started going to nursery two days a week at the start or the month (instead of just the one he was doing before) and Little Miss C started school the same week. But, it was a very very gradual start at school and it wasn’t until the 22nd that she actually went full time. Each week until then she was either starting or leaving at a different time and as a younger member of the class it also meant that some of her friends were going for longer hours than her – which she was far from impressed about.
That wasn’t the only new start in the family though as September also saw Mr C leave one job and start a new one. The new job comes with a longer commute (until the company moves offices which is in the pipeline) and that means he’s been away more than usual. Combine that with a couple of networking events, me going to school governor meetings, old school reunions and other voluntary things and it feels like we’ve not seen much of each other of late.
Master C also turned two in September. I’m not totally sure how that happened as it only seems like a few weeks ago that I was holding a newborn in my arms. He’s now turning into such a little boy and his cheeky character is really starting to show. These two years have been somewhat challenging though and his refusal to eat most food (whilst happily snacking on wet sand from the sandpit) continues, alongside various behaviour issues. We’re now fully stuck into the NHS system though, seeing paediatricians, speech and language therapists, the local audiology department, dieticians and numerous health visitors. So far they all seem to agree that everything isn’t completely normal, but quite where is best placed to help us is a bit of a mystery at present. Some departments have discharged us now, but the diary still seems to be full of appointments and I’m finding them all draining. It doesn’t yet feel like the end is in sight, but we’re hopefully heading in the right direction.
By the time we got to the end of the month I honestly felt like September had defeated me, but then after a very early night and a bit of reflection time I recalled all the other good things that happened in the month. I had a fantastic day at The Handmade Fair (and finally learnt how do to something in crochet that isn’t a granny square!), really got stuck into my local WI group and got to know some of the other women there better, went to a very successful school reunion and met up with some old school friends, and finished the month with a fantastic day driving fast cars. The kids are changing and growing daily and (mostly) delighting me with the little people that they’re fast becoming.
There’s plenty that I didn’t do as planned in September, but if I’m honest the only person I’m really letting down is myself, and if I’d only not set myself such stretch targets then maybe I’d feel a bit more relaxed overall. There was so much that I wanted to achieve in the month and part of me feels like I’ve failed for not doing everything I wanted to do, but I should really be focussing on what I have achieved instead. Easier said than done.
For October I think I need to start saying yes to less. Just because someone asks for volunteers to do something doesn’t mean I need to stick up my hand and say that I’ll do it. I need to realise that I do plenty of stuff for other people already and I need to think of myself and the family a bit more.
So, on reflection let’s call September a draw. I think I know what I need to do to get the win in October though – assuming I make sure my goal posts are in the right place! In just a couple of hours though I’m headed off to Amsterdam for 36 hours to a blogging conference where I’m really hoping to get the inspiration and reflection time to work out where I want Being Mrs C to go. I have plenty of ideas, but seem to be a bit stuck in a rut in the parent blogger scene and no longer sure if it’s the right place for me or this blog. Hopefully expanding my horizons, literally, will help things become clearer.
Trish - Mum's Gone to says
Gosh, no wonder October arriving has surprised you -that’s a very busy month you’ve had, especially with your husband being away more than usual.
I’ve been saying a lot lately that September is always the month of change and new starts so is unsettling for many of us. Hope things calm down a little for you, with lots more good bits!
Hope things get sorted with your little boy – isn’t he adorable.
Janet West says
Don’t beat yourself up for doing more than the average. And yes, say yes less. They say that if you want something done, ask a busy woman. Xx
Manneskjur says
I am with you ion the saying yes less often thing. The world won’t stop spinning if we just say ‘no’ more. I’ll be interested to see if you come back this weekend with more of an idea of the direction you want to take your blog in. I must moving from the parenting side of blogging was the best thing for me personally and has really benefited me in many ways – it’s just the taking a deep breath and making the plunge into the sea of change x
otilia says
Looks like your september was as busy as mine although Anastasia is still to turn 2 in december. Look on the bright side – changes are good sometimes and I can’t wait to see what your experience at the Amsterdam conference was. Wherever your blogging will take you it will be good.
Emma says
My littlest is STILL doing half days, although it’s the right thing for her, it’s finishing me off!!
Fingers crossed October is a great month for you. xx
HPMcQ says
with you on the how on earth did we get to october front, this year is whizzing past. master c turned 2! amazing. take it easy no one needs to win october x
Cass@frugalfamily says
I’m another one who can’t believe it’s October – things seem to be piling up a little bit and relaxing just doesn’t seem to happen here at the moment! I just need a good nights sleep and about a week totally to myself to catch up 😉
Lulastic says
Oh, yeah, what the heck, where did September disappear to? Totally bonkers, although yours sounds busier!
I hope you find some peace through all your appointments with your little man. It takes up such an enormous amount of mental and emotional energy. xx