What makes you get up in the morning?
Struggling a bit right now... Last week I went to Wizard World and it's what I was really looking forward for months... I met my favorite actor (Tom Hiddleston) and it was amazing plus I got some time to roam around the Reading Terminal Market and enjoy some food (still stayed under maintenance each time too)... It was great! But I've been feeling kinda empty since (plus my mom was here with her boyfriend and it messes up my schedules/habits and I ended up exhausted and eating too much and stressed out).
Now it's the last full week of school for my kids (8) and I just don't have much to look forward to... My TV shows are mostly over, it's going to be days and days of constant bickering and kids bored and messing up the house and just.. ugh. Love my kids but I'm very much an introvert person and having them with me 24/24 is really tough (good thing I have the gym really but the kids get bored there so they argue every time). Plus I hate the humidity and heat here in NJ. June is always hard for me and the only positive I see is that I don't have to pack lunches in the morning (but still got to feed them at lunch, obviously, LOL).
No vacation this year either, so just 2 months of... nothing.
How do you all deal with the routine? For years I'd resort to eating, so that's pretty much out, now I exercise instead but I rarely tell myself 'man I'd really like to go to the gym right now' (except when I need a break from the kids I guess)... Just having a hard time to find something to really look forward to at this point that is not months and months away (I guess the next thing is my shows coming back in September - how exciting. Not).
How do you all do it?
Now it's the last full week of school for my kids (8) and I just don't have much to look forward to... My TV shows are mostly over, it's going to be days and days of constant bickering and kids bored and messing up the house and just.. ugh. Love my kids but I'm very much an introvert person and having them with me 24/24 is really tough (good thing I have the gym really but the kids get bored there so they argue every time). Plus I hate the humidity and heat here in NJ. June is always hard for me and the only positive I see is that I don't have to pack lunches in the morning (but still got to feed them at lunch, obviously, LOL).
No vacation this year either, so just 2 months of... nothing.
How do you all deal with the routine? For years I'd resort to eating, so that's pretty much out, now I exercise instead but I rarely tell myself 'man I'd really like to go to the gym right now' (except when I need a break from the kids I guess)... Just having a hard time to find something to really look forward to at this point that is not months and months away (I guess the next thing is my shows coming back in September - how exciting. Not).
How do you all do it?
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Usually my bladder. I also have 1 cat in particular that begs and comes to my room to nag me for breakfast.
But I know what you mean about the other stuff. I'm in the exact same position. I made the kids a "summer schedule" and if I don't get up and make them stick to it, the first thing they do is turn on all the electronics, and the day descends into complete chaos.
Out schedule looks something like this: (I typed it up and put it on the fridge)
8 am breakfast
8:30 make bed, brush teeth, wash face and hands, etc
9 outside play
9:30 reading or crafts
10 screen time
12 lunch
12:30 free time (errands, outside the house activities, library, pool, friends houses, )
3 pm snack
(More free time, but I scheduled the snack so they aren't looking in the fridge all day)
6 pm dinner
7 clean up time (I assign chores, they clean up after themselves, or they roll "chore dice" which are wooden blocks with a chore on each side, 2 dice = 2 random jobs)
7:30 bath time, brush teeth
8:30 bed time/ quiet time (older kids don't have to sleep, just go to their room and be quiet)
They don't like most of this, and they don't like going to the daycare at gym. So I let them skip all the outside play/crafts/reading if they go to the gym with me for an hour, I try to go 3-4 times a week in the summer.
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Is there anything you like to do that's active besides the gym? Hiking, biking, mountain climbing, sky diving?
If there's not maybe pick something new that you think you might like and plan for it in 2 weeks. Do some research, make some prep and then go enjoy. If you like it, plan another one. If you don't, plan a different one.
As for me I'm looking forward to visiting one son in 2 weeks, playing paintball with another in a month, going on vacation in 2 months, and spending evenings relaxing with my wife while binge watching something on Netflix
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Honestly today? Game of Thrones. Other days? No idea. I am trying to buy a wifi scale that sets reminders to weigh in in the morning so maybe that will get me out if bed1
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It's almost impossible to make them stick to the schedule, so I just try to hit most of the important stuff, and do the things that need to be done, in the order they're listed, for the amount of time assigned.
We also spend time looking for free stuff to do (were in a big city, so easy to find for us) but most of it is basic stuff: park, pool (we go to the free splash park here, or the apt pool at a friend or relatives house) library (books, videos, lots of summer activities) mall playground (free ac!) And my kids are 12, 9 and 4, so I don't let the older ones tell me they're too old for stuff.0 -
It's almost impossible to make them stick to the schedule, so I just try to hit most of the important stuff, and do the things that need to be done, in the order they're listed, for the amount of time assigned.
We also spend time looking for free stuff to do (were in a big city, so easy to find for us) but most of it is basic stuff: park, pool (we go to the free splash park here, or the apt pool at a friend or relatives house) library (books, videos, lots of summer activities) mall playground (free ac!) And my kids are 12, 9 and 4, so I don't let the older ones tell me they're too old for stuff.
Must be rough with those ages!
We'll got to the water park for sure but honestly it's just too hot most days to be outside... so when we go somewhere it's in the morning, then gym in the afternoon. But it's really not things I enjoy (the water park is a nightmare for me, honestly, because it's just too crowded and I HATE crowds). The stuff I enjoy (walking, hikes etc), my kids hate and it's just too hot to do anyway.
But yeah, usually having to pee or my cat (or kids) is what physically gets me out of bed... lol.
Although my question was for everyone too... having to get up to go to work every day must not be very exciting either.0 -
my son, who is also 8, usually says to me can we get up now? haha
but for summer plans what kinds of things do you like doing? It's summer, the weather is nice, kids are off school time for day trips. I used to take my son up to my parents and we'd take them out but they aren't in the best of healthy right now. but what about pools? My boy is a fish and loves the pool. Hiking is fun. Find some neat trails to hike to and find cool things. If you do a search of family hiking trails you can probably find neat things.
I get the whole fighting thing my nephews are terrors and I told one off yesterday for being rude and mean to my son last night. What if you did like hikes and made like scavengers hunts so they go off and do their own thing.
As Pony mentioned the library is lots of fun too.0 -
I'm also in NJ so do understand what you mean about the humidity. It's just been terrible lately!
For me, I'm just happy to be alive and well so that makes me get out of bed in the morning
it sounds like you may in a little rut here. I'm sure we've all been there at some point.
Do you have 8 kids or just an 8 yr old child? ( My advice would be totally different for both so that's why I asked)0 -
I don't have kids, but I am young enough to remember the boredom of an unplanned summer break. My husband and I have not made any concrete plans for this summer, but I try to plan an active date with him at least once a week. So far, we have tried hiking, biking, and walking/shopping around downtown. On my own I have also gone to the gym a few times a week and swimming. Do your kids have any friends nearby? Maybe you can coordinate some sleepovers over the summer, and you could switch back and forth who's hosting (at least you'd have some free time for a day or two every now and then).0
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Well the pool here is super expensive for the Summer and it's 20 minutes away. I want to buy one for the yard but my husband doesn't want to deal with the maintenance (and the cost, obviously, although it would be cheaper after 3 years than paying for the pool every year).
The library here sucks! And my kids hate hiking (we've done it a few times but the amount of whining and crying is just not worth it).0 -
Well the pool here is super expensive for the Summer and it's 20 minutes away. I want to buy one for the yard but my husband doesn't want to deal with the maintenance (and the cost, obviously, although it would be cheaper after 3 years than paying for the pool every year).
The library here sucks! And my kids hate hiking (we've done it a few times but the amount of whining and crying is just not worth it).
Most large metro areas have a family/kid focused monthly that is online and free to pick up some places. I would check that out to find out about summer activities.
And any chance you can sign them up for some camps/workshops?
So far ours is looking like 1 week home, 2 travel weeks w/my daughter (family), about a month of gym/swimming, then don't know about August yet. We wanted to do a little family trip within the state, but husband says his job will be super busy then.
I'm just super happy it is summer again. Now through around November is pretty nice usually.0 -
Why don't you make a list of things that you can do for cheap and let them decide and tell them if they don't then you decide and they put up with it. My son whines every time we do something new with him but then he ends up having fun.
we go to the zoo a lot. If you have one memberships aren't cheap but are paid for in the long run. Museum too. We hit up there on hot days since it's air conditioned and usually they have some kids activities on0 -
I'm not sure how big of a town you live in but where I am there are usually free family friendly events going on just about every weekend.0
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Yeah I follow websites that give events and stuff!
This wasn't really a thread about my kids though... it was about me, lol. And if we only did what they want (probably water park or pool every day) I'd just go completely insane.
We're doing a couple camps but I don't really want to pay for more right now.0 -
I hear you - honestly it doesn't have to be summer to for me to feel like I'm on a hamster wheel.
This summer my husband is deploying so it'll be me and my three kids. I work three days a week, so they'll be in a summer camp while I work.
The other four days I'll stick to a pretty strict schedule like I do during the school year.
Thankfully my kids love doing things outdoors. One day will be set aside for errands and chores around the house. But Friday and Saturday, I'll plan something fun to do each day, like the zoo or swimming or the movies (matinee). Hopefully that will break up some of the moneteny.
Do your girls like crafts? My mom used to load up on craft projects for me to do during the summer. Stuff that wasn't too messy and took a long time - like a latch hook rug, cross stitch, knitting, paint by numbers...
Do you have regal cinemas by you? They do $1 kid movies on Tuesday mornings.
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Life can feel monotonous sometimes.
It comes down to this - make the best of it.
Yes it sucks sometimes but I'm sure many people have it much worse. If your biggest problem is being bored and frustrated with your summer routine then your still in good shape;)
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I have to sit at a desk in front of a computer for 8 hours every day under flourescent lighting with no windows.
I'm also not a morning person so hate getting out of bed even on the weekends.
I do it because it needs to be done and life has to be lived, even if a lot of it is boring.
I'd love to be able to stay home, spend time with my (hypothetical) kids, take them to the zoo, museum, aquarium, pool, etc., and generally have the free time to do all the things I love to do.
If I was in your position, I'd start a group project with the kids. Build some bird houses/feeders. Put together a fish tank and maybe even breed some fish as a biology lesson. Grow some tadpoles and watch them turn into frogs. Build a model rocket and launch it at the park. Play with mentos and diet coke. Plant a garden and let them pick the flowers/vegetables to grow. Take pottery classes as a family. Get a list of native bird species and see how many you can find at the local park. Go fishing. Have watergun fights in the yard. Even experiment with building your own water guns out of pvc! Volunteer at the local animal shelter as a family. Go to a nature trail and see how many different kinds of bugs you can collect (hiking doesn't have to be just walking around).
Man...wanna trade places?2 -
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I was a SAHM for 23 years, and I feel your pain. What was a lifesaver for me in the summer was the pool. We would hit the gym around 8:30 (yes, complaining, but they had to suck it up =P ), home by 10a to change into pool clothes, I would pack lunches and we were usually off by 11a. A few hours there, home around 3p, change into dry clothes, settle in to watch a movie or TV show for a couple of hours and WAH LAH!! It would be 6pm, husband home and time for dinner.
I hope that helps some. Don't let the kids guilt you out of your gym time - it's important for YOU to feel good about you
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What makes me get up in the morning?
The fact that I'm lucky enough to be able to. 2 -
The real things. Work. And I realize if I don't go to work I'll get fired...while my job isn't my favorite thing to do everyday it's WAY better than being unemployed and starving (I've been there too many times) lol.0
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Knowing that I'll drink alcohol at some point1
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I set an alarm for 5:15am with an inspirational message on it such as "get out of bed, you lazy *kitten*" while the Rocky theme plays. And then I go to the gym. It works most days.1
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What makes me get up in the morning? The fact that I am able to!
When the kids are gone, you get to do a whole lot of things that you cannot do now , but until then, it may not be a cake walk, but you got to love the process to make sure your kids grow strong (mentally and physcially), they are a smart as they can be and when they leave the nest, they are ready to.
Now is the time to spend all the time with your kids! You cannot make up time later on.
It is now quiet in my home now that the kids are grown (and gone and yeah I do celebrate that now).. I get run first thing in the a.m. and lift later. I work part time at home, I love video games and taking naps. I could have done these things when they were home, I chose not to take the best care of my self when they were home, now I get to..
I think it is just part of putting others before myself.
OP why so gloomy?0 -
First off, did you get a picture with him!!!!??? Use that as your profile! Also, I have two cats. Minion will jump up on the bed, walk on my leg, up on my torso (generally stepping on my bladder) and head butt me and PURR loudly as a reminder that it has been 8 or so hours since he has been pet and that is *kitten*.
As for getting through the day, what are your hobbies? Sewing, reading, scrapbooking, painting, gardening, embroidery? I look forward to being able to design and sew a new quilt, or reading a new book from a favorite author or find and try a new recipe from around the world.
Any charities in your area that you are interested in? SPCA's always need more dog walkers or cat cuddlers. I also do a lot with my church, and it's missions. Operation Christmas Child is a good one to get involved with because I can hand make dolls, stuffed toys, and stuffed balls. Is that an option for you?
Being an introvert, the SPCA may be a good option since you just get the animal and don't have to spend a ton of time with people.
I'm a big list person, so once you decide what to do that day make a list so you can cross of each item. My list for today after work is -vacuum, -litter, - grocery shopping, -do laundry, - Christmas quilt, - money from atm. It's so satisfying to have every item crossed off!0
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