Quiet time

Never have I appreciated peace and quiet as much as I do now – since having children of course. Even growing up with ten siblings, I could always take myself off to my (albeit shared) room or read a book. Both of which are far more difficult to do now, and quite possibly unsafe.

Quiet time (as well as going on a walk or bike ride) is something I insist upon (internally not vocally) each time the three of us are having a homey day, and I’m the one that benefits most from it. A couple of hours of activities such as games, jigsaws, drawing, counting, reading, making beds or playing shops. No music and no distractions, which I find really restores the balance (or imbalance) between the three of us. Winston and I save our messier activities like baking or painting for when Rufus is asleep.

I recently discovered that the boys are happiest in their bedroom, and this is where we head if they are both completely wired! I don’t know whether it’s because the environment is so familiar, or because they know I’ll stay in the same room as them, or because they like jumping and rolling around on the bed. Whatever the reason, I’m grateful for it. We still haven’t decided what to do about a bed for Winston so he’s just on a mattress, which has turned out very handy for gymnastics.

Winston is going through a stage where he gets upset and scared if I go upstairs without him and the same upstairs to downstairs, and with the cuddle monster that Rufus is; moving around the house can feel like being the Pied Piper – except I can’t hear music, just whinging. So, most of the time it is far easier to be out of the house.

Another place that always makes them happy is the bath. The bath is like pesto in my cooking world…I don’t know what I’d do without it! They instantly forget their worries and just play. It’s funny how these little things become part of life without even realising it.

I’m very grateful for the bath and pesto – both completely invaluable in my Mum world. What’s invaluable in yours?

E xx