The one where paternity leave is over

October 31, 2014

IMG_0759-0.JPG

It has happened, the two blissful weeks are up and Alex is back at work. Yikes.

I remember panicking last time paternity leave finished as I had no idea how I was going to cope with a baby. So this time? It’s seemed blessedly easy…so far. OK, OK, so we’ve had a soft launch to life with the three of us – we’re keeping Eliza’s nursery days, and these were the first two days he was back. But after doing the nursery run, I’ve managed to get both Florence and I dressed and fed and even made dinner (I know! Actually I just put some things in the slow cooker. Does that count?)

All that was exhausting though, so we’ve spent lots of quality sofa / napping / TV time. Daytime TV seems far more tempting than it actually is, doesn’t it?

IMG_0755.JPG

(Hi, sleepy Florence!)

So I ended up watching the Friends episodes where Rachel has the baby, again. Know I’m 20 years too late with these questions, but how is she in labour for about two days, with about three contractions, and also gets to 10cm without much pain? And the baby is born without an umbilical cord (seriously! As soon as she’s born the doctor whisks her straight away). I know it’s TV, I know, but, you know…

Of course the real challenge – life at home with three – starts properly on Monday. Hopefully, like everything else so far, it won’t be as bad as I’m thinking. But I’m going to adopt this three part coping strategy:

1) Get out of the house each day, even if it is just to go to the shop / (quick run around the garden)
2) Have an aim for the day, even if that aim is just to leave the house / (get dressed)
3) Don’t have any expectations about achieving anything or doing anything.

Anyone have any good tips? Have a great weekend x.

2 Comments

  • Shirley

    November 2, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    My health visitor said the same thing to ensure you leave the house every day (except for fog which is bad for babies), wind, snow, rain are all fine and lift your spirits and help baby sleep. You will discover houses streets you never knew were so near to you when walking out.

  • Day one of two: in numbers |

    November 7, 2014 at 11:14 am

    […] week we had our first proper day as a three post-paternity leave, the first whole day of me with the two children. And do you know what? We survived…so it […]

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Prev Post Next Post