Saturday 29 October 2011

Older Children & getting your life back.

I have just got home from a morning's campaigning at a local shopping parade. Part of having older children now means that I have got my life back. I don't mean that in a horrible way, but really ... how lovely is it to be able to say "I'm just off up to the allotment for an hour" or "I'm going out to get people to sign the petition"  - and be able to pop out leaving the 2 boys happily in the house by themselves?

I remember when I couldn't leave the house without a small trailer attached to my back pack carrying nappies, spare clothes, food, drink, wet wipes ... My life revolved around their meal times and bed times. Now I am free again to indulge in life as I used to know it.

This morning I was part of a team campaigning against a massive new development by a major supermarket chain who I refuse to even name on here. We set up our stall outside a local shopping parade and asked people to sign our petition. I absolutely love doing it. I enjoy meeting new people and, strangely, saying "Good Morning!" to a complete stranger and then getting them to join the campaign is a real pleasure.



I would never have thought a few years ago that I would have the nerve to do that, but now I do. Obviously not everybody says yes to us, but that's fine isn't it? Each to their own. I do find though that when people are given the facts of the matter they tend to be a) shocked and b) willing to fight.

I feel so fortunate to be in this situation now. Not only do I have 2 lovely boys with whom I love spending time, but I also have the chance to do my own thing. When I was struggling in the dark days of PND I never thought that I would get out the other side and bathe in the light of this sort of happiness again. It just shows you that there is life after such things.

Right now my life is so full of 'stuff' ... be it the allotment, study, work, campaigning, family life ... Yes, there are days when I wonder quite why I do so much, but most of the time I count myself so very lucky to have the chance to do it.

3 comments:

Lynsey Summers said...

Hiya,

I am in the midst of having young children and can completely understand why you are pleased to finally have some time back to do the things you enjoy. As a mum of two boys (and a step mum to a third) I have had to give up almost any and everything that I used to enjoy pre - children, of course that was my decision and I knew that would be the case, but that doesn't mean I can't look forward to the days when I get some time back for 'me'. I try and steal 30 minutes here and there to blog which is my current only form of 'me' time and it keeps me sane. So I completely and utterly applaude you for getting back into some things (and new things) that are just for 'you'!

Thank you for following my blog, it was a lovely surprise to have a new follower when I got up today! Am now signed up to your's and look forward to new posts. Going to sign up to your running diary too as I am just attempting (note 'attempting') to do the same!

Lynsey.x

Urban Cynic said...

Does the supermarket chain begin with a T? I hate them almost as much as I hate the coffee chain beginning with an S!

I read an article in a magazine the other day where a woman said that, although she loved her daughter, her life was much happier before she had children.

She hadn't realised her life would become be so mundane and 'not her own'. It had affected both her and her husband's relationship, finances, social life, and sex life. She was looking forward to her daughter growing up so she could have her life back.

An extreme case perhaps but I could well understand what it must be like which is why I chose a life just for me. I'm glad you're able to do all the things you want now. And I'm grateful for your stand against the supermarket bully!

sarah at secret housewife said...

Hi Lynsey, Thanks for your comments - I know exactly where you're coming from! I hope you're not too disappointed with my running blog - I haven't been on there for a while! Must go running ... must go running! And I love finding new blogs to read like yours so its a pleasure to follow you!

Hi Urban Cynic, Yes - its the one that starts with a T ( grrrrr...)
As for that woman you talk about - I think her situation is more common than one would think. Its just not talked about that much because its not 'p.c'. That might just be my opinion, but you know how I feel about parenthood some days!!
xx

Sarah