It's taken many years, but I think I've finally come to accept and actually enjoy the weekends for just what they are. Before kids, the weekends were a welcome relief from the working week. We'd go shopping. We'd visit friends or family. We might go the movies. But of course that all changes when you stay at home with kids. Suddenly the weekends aren't what they used to be. The week merges into the weekend, morphing into an extra long week. The washing still needs to be done, as does the lawn and the garden. Priorities in life change.
But since moving out here I really don't mind. The sun is shining, there is salad to harvest in the garden and just enough time left to do a few rows of knitting, do some reading and watch a little game of soccer. My favourite blossom tree is flowering. I bake a batch of scones. Baked beans tend to come out of the pot rather than a can. A neighbour drops in some eggs. My son bike rides in the street with his friends. Coming home when he's either hungry or thirsty. While Sunday lunch may have once been a BBQ chicken and chips from the local takeaway, these days it's usually salad and freshly baked bread.
So I'm not really sure if it's getting used to a new normal, or simply growing up a little and appreciating a quieter kind of weekend. Whatever it is, I like it.
***
I wanted to thank each and every one of you that took the time to leave comments and suggestions on my last post. They were all very much appreciated, and it was reassuring that so many of us had the same concerns. There were some really great suggestions within the comments. Some of which I will be adopting myself. I will keep you posted.
No 'real' weekend was something I hadn't thought about before having a baby. They're still great though cause I have my hubby home :)
ReplyDeleteYour kaftan post the other day reminded me I had one that needed finishing so I finished it this morning before bub got up. It was the 'Shearwater Kaftan'.
Have a lovely week!
I must still be waiting to grow up! I find the weekends hard work as we seem to be constantly on the move travelling to sport, parties, play dates etc. Of course, living out of town means means we spend more time travelling - I tell myself this is just a stage and in a few years it will all be over. I enjoyed the comments on the last past also - what a wonderful community of people sharing. Alison xxx
ReplyDeleteso glorious and sunny. our weekends are similar and seem to revolve around the children quite a bit. even though i do work, come weekend time i feel just as busy cleaning and cooking. it kind of rolls into one long week like you say but i don't mind it that way. i love being home with my kids. though levi is testing my patience at the moment. pre teens! xo
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos with your post Tania. Our weekends are very similar to yours now too. No long sleep ins, lazy pub lunches and dinners out for us anymore. A different pace but one I have grown to love all the same......
ReplyDeleteYour post has given my food for thought, lately our weekends seem to be just another part of the very long week. Probably because we are out of town with 4 teens, it seems as though more time is spent in the car and more things are crammed into the hours than I'd really like. Trying to meet everyones needs is exhausting, me thinks perhaps it's time for some changes.
ReplyDeleteLove,love, love your photos.
cheers Kate
I was kinda of thinking the same....shopping has always been a form of entertainment and hobby. I love a bargain and I am good at finding them however now homeschooling kids it is not a cheap form of entertainment or distraction...an amazing $60 linen doona cover turned out to cost $95 as I had to turn around and buy every one lunch!!! NO MORE I saw....I would love to go on a no-buy sabatical and see how we all do but with kids and homes and gardens...it's a challenge. But I love to potter about at home but being in an urban neighbourhood it's harder to not be distracted...going to be cranking up our wood fired oven very soon ;)
ReplyDeletewhat lovely pics....spring is here. Nic made scones this weekend....once upon a time it would of been sangria but oh well! school hols now so one big long weekend....yay!
ReplyDeleteAllison
Yep, I hear you on this one too, Tania. It's been a bit of a journey to get to (almost) the point where I can take pleasure in 'weekend work', as a different form of the weekly work, the things we each do to keep the rhythm ticking over, the things we do together to get tasks done, and taking enjoyment from tasks and projects completed. Nothing like a cold cider on the sunny deck after refurbishing the chook pen!! A little different to ciders enjoyed in past lives, but maybe more meaningful? It's still hard to not want to wave a magic wand over everything and have it all instantly done though.
ReplyDeleteI love the weekends for what they are too - lots of chores waiting to be done but can mostly be done at our leisure. I love your blog, keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteHi Tania, Just read your previous post and comments. I agree with Empty Daze, we are now better resourced with the internet etc and can learn from each other. And we have come through other hard times and thrived.I think your blog, and so many others, (especially Down to Earth's) are all about creative frugality and so, rising above cost of living spikes. There are so many ways to foil those price rises and, along the way, teach your children to be resourceful. I have planted out tomato seedlings already, early for Canberra, but covering them with plant pots when a frost is forecast. Last night I saw a program on ABC called Great Southern Land, where a farm in SA grows tomatoes year round under cover. If it's electricity cost rises, look at where the useage is high, and consider changes, such as cook outside sometimes, wash clothes less often, go solar, close off drafts, heat differently etc. Being aware means you are on the way to making improvements.
ReplyDeleteKeep on with what you do, it's a lovely blog and inspires me. Helen.
Darren and I had this very same conversation over the weekend and have come to the conclusion that we both prefer our "new" weekends. On a rare occasion I still love to dip my toes in the big world outside my home but that's not very often. Home cooked baked beans are THE best. Hope you have a gorgeous week :) x
ReplyDeleteThe blossom coating the trees at the moment is stunning isnt it.
ReplyDeleteWeekends here although child-free are not what they used to be prior to shift work and rosters that rarely make for whole days off together, but we make the most of sleep-ins when they happen and late brunches sitting in the sunshine.
x
Oh, and I meant to also say that your blog is my favourite "Monday Morning" blog. I always read it first after school drop-off to see what you've been upto in the weekend!
ReplyDeleteTania, I always find it interesting hearing about the life of others pre-children. Becoming a mother in my teens and never having worked full time I don't know any different.
ReplyDeleteWe have always loved the ease of our weekends that I don't think I would trade them for anything.
Glad you are finding joy in yours :)
Xx
I love the slowing down too, that kids bring. Though there's been a lot of pepping up I've had to do too, along the way;) Relaxed weekends are my favourite kind. xx
ReplyDeleteWhether it be growing up or getting used to a new normal I am glad you are getting into the grove of how things are. The photos are always so captivating and inviting. So warm and productive. That flowering tree is beautiful (and all the more so with your sweet girl in the frame with it!). Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteJust read & commented on your last post, yes, huge concerns & we're making differences now, single income families are hardly supported!!
ReplyDeleteLoving your Spring shots, just glorious!! Love Posie