How to support partner through career change.

Hi mamas! I’m a SAHM and having a hard time being supportive of my husband’s new path. I felt more excited for him when he first started and now that this shift has landed us at my in laws with another year of being here, I’m starting to go crazy. He studies a lot and I genuinely feel ok with giving him the space he needs to. And he is so helpful when he’s available. The hard part is when he’s not. His parents are elderly and his dad has said he has not patience to help with the kids. I can’t count with 1 finger the time he helped for 5 minutes before leaving back to his room. His mom is sweet and has a bunch of health issues and depression, so she stays in her room for about 20 hours a day. It’s depressing to watch and nothing I can do about it. I have a 3&4 year old and the preferred parent. That means, mama is wanted during morning and bedtime routines. I barely have time, 5-15 minutes to myself and that’s some days. And all this overwhelm is directed at the only person in my life that is there for me and helps me with our boys. Any advice? I’d love to find a part time job but that’s not an option for me right now.. sigh!

in our community

Too young for nursery, guilty mum :(

Hey, im just looking for some advice or anyone who has been in this situation and what they may do differently.

I have a nearly 2yr old and a 3month baby. 2yr old is in nursery 3 days per week as this what i worked, im not returning to work until another 8months. 2yr old in nursery 3 days works well and then when hes not in nursery I make sure my time with him is mostly focused on him and we both enjoy this.

Currently im considering baby starting nursery 1 day per week. I feel really crap for feeling like this and that I shouldn't feel like this. Im finding if hard not having even a few hours to myself , stop start housework and falling behind with things, i also do some Bookkeeping for my partner, I guess I find the balance difficult. I then feel guilty doing housestuff around him and like im ignoring him.

Im thinking if I had 1 day per week just for me, I can do 1thing nice for myself, blitz the house and food prep for the week and I will be less stressed and overwhelmed...

Im worried if I will regret sending him nursery 1day per week so young, I dont know once the time has gone its gone but I know nursery is good and my older son enjoys it there and he learns so much... can anyone share their views or what they did in similar situations?

I also wouldnt be questioning this as much if a family member wanted him for 1 day per week but thats not an option.
Thanks 😊

Ofsted reports

My daughter will be joining a childminder in September, I’ve just had a quick glance at their ofsted report and everything “needs improvement” such as engaging with children and staff hygiene (food handling and washing hands before touching foods etc).

Would this concern anyone else?

Does parenting ever feel one-sided?

Hey mamas 💛

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how, in parenting, one person can sometimes end up doing more or carrying more of the day to day and it really got me thinking.

Does it ever feel like you’re the one keeping everything running?

I ended up creating something to help couples share things a bit more and feel more supported, would love to know if this is something others would find helpful🥹

Meal prep

Ladies what meals did you prepare and freeze for when baby was here? We aren’t fussy and have no dietary restrictions I know basic things but I want to still have a variety and nutrition for us as we also have a 4 year old too!

All meal time ideas like breakfast lunch and dinner and any tips for snacks I can have prepared at the ready would be amazing❤️

How do people go out with fussy baby?

My LO (my second, premature, 9 weeks) is an unhappy crying baby. When he's awake he's either eating, crying or fussing. There are some moments of happy smiles, looking around etc but mostly it's him being upset.

I just end up staying in while he contact naps. My first wasn't like this. I'm just scared of being judged plus I feel guilty that I bottle feed even though I did with my daughter, because he screams so much and looks like he hates me.

But I also need to get out and want to go to classes.

Mil’s comment-how to handle

It was my child’s birthday over the weekend, and I planned it all. From the handmade food signs, themed food items, themed drinks, signs, everything. While I was cutting the fruit into shapes, my MIL came over and mumbled “thats cute, I just couldn’t be bothered with the effort or wasting my time” …. like okay… I didn’t ask her to help, for her opinion, or to pay for anything so like wtf. I felt like it was a super unnecessary backhanded comment to make to the mother of her grandchildren… the others all said it was wonderful and creative, all nice things. So am I wrong for thinking this was super rude on her part? Or am I misunderstanding the situation?