The rhythm of life

I can’t hear those four words without bursting into song in my head. My old school choir did an amazing version of The Rhythm of Life that used to make the hairs on the back of my neck just stand on end every single time. Somewhere at my mum’s I’m sure there’s a cassette recording of it which has to be reason in itself to dig out an old walkman and wire it up somehow.

The rhythm of life has changed somewhat here over the last couple of months and it’s taking a bit of time to get used to. Master C finished at nursery at the end of July and I strangely found the whole thing a bit emotional. He had been there for two years, and Little Miss C for two years before that. Four whole years of entrusting these lovely ladies with my precious children and then it was time to say goodbye. Buying them a big tin of chocolates just didn’t seem enough somehow, after all this was the first real end to anywhere that my kids have been so I just wasn’t ready for how it was going to feel.

After August off together and a couple of great family holidays – which I will get round to writing about one day, honest – September meant a new school year for LMC and Master C starting at a local pre-school. There has been lots of settling in and reduced hours until finally this week (coinciding perfect with his third birthday – how on earth did that happen too???) we’re up to full half-days there.

I now have four mornings a week to myself to work and generally get done all those million and one things that mums need to do as part of their daily lives. But, actually three hours (or more accurately two and a half by the time I’ve done the walk there and back) isn’t all that long. Especially if you take out the time to make a cup of tea, sort the laundry, stack the dishwasher, pop to the shop for milk etc etc. I’m quickly learning that I need to get super super organised and maximise every minute I can. List writing is now essential to make sure things don’t get missed or forgotten and I’m setting myself timers so that I don’t just waste time on Facebook when I should actually be working.

A sneak peak of prep for my latest crochet project – because what’s a blog post without a bit of crochet in it?

I’m also trying to make sure I fit a bit of me time in there too. Even if it’s just 10 minutes with my crochet hook before I do pick up. A whole month of two kids non-stop has taught me that I need that bit of me time so desperately, especially so that I can then be totally there for the kids once they’re home. There are plenty of other little appointments and jobs that are quickly sneaking into that precious morning time on my own and I need to keep control of it so as not to fritter them away achieving nothing.

Who knew that a change of rhythm could actually take so much getting used to? I had just assumed that I’d pop the kettle on and work through my to do lists, yet actually I’m craving a bit more routine in my mornings. Blocking out an hour for writing without distraction, 15 minutes for chores, 10 minutes for craft, 15 minutes of emails and admin. It’s almost like creating myself a little timetable. Maybe that’s what I need to do?

I’m intrigued to know how other work at home mums (and dads) who also have kids at pre-school manage maximising their child-free time to get everything done. Are you one for timetables, or just taking the day as it comes? Or am I just over-analysing all this as an excuse for not working?