Progress Report

I did intend this to be a half year report and publish at the start of Term 3. We have had a crazy couple of months and it hasn't eventuated. So I will just call it a progress report on my year at home with B. For details on how this came about see here.

It has been a challenging year. B took quite a while to settle into kindergarten and still has issues occasionally. It has been a blessing to be able to be present for him during this time. In the meantime, I have made some really great connections with the other families at kinder. I'm excited about this because most of our kids will be together at school.

A few of us have been meeting to craft together. The kinder teacher wanted us to make some more of these which the children use as reins whilst pretending to be horses. She also asked for some animals made out of felt for the children to play with and for her to use in storytelling time.

The reins we had to copy.

One of my lot of reins along with some starfish and dolphins.

One of my goals for the year was to spend some time nourishing myself. It is not something I have done much of in the last few years and I have been feeling the effects of not enough exercise and just time on my own. I'm not complaining as I love spending time with B I just know that I am a better parent when I'm feeling good about myself. I am lucky that a really good friend also has a free day on one of B's kinder days. We have been able to catch up either for a coffee and chat or a special trip to the movies on those days. A lovely way to recharge!

And I have started exercising! I was looking for something that was casual and I could attend while B was at kinder. I was also looking for something cheap and if there was a bit of fun that would be great too. During the April school holidays we went roller skating with some friends. As this was the first time B had been (and the first time I had been in 20+ years) and he understandably very tentative. However, he really enjoyed it so when I found out they offered lessons for pre-schoolers I asked if he wanted to go. He was really keen so he's been doing that for the last two terms. Before the pre-schoolers class there is an adults back to skate class. After watching a few times I thought it looked like fun. I then started going myself on his kinder days and really enjoyed myself. I did have a fall a while ago and sprained my wrist, however, I did get back on the rink as soon as I could.

I have also been spending some time thinking about what I would like to do career wise in the future. I have been thinking about doing some study next year which I am a bit excited about.

So, to summarise it's been a hard year emotionally and financially but also a great year emotionally and to connect with each other before B goes to school next year. I certainly don't regret this time and I am very thankful that I have had the opportunity to do this.

Taking Care of Me

Over the last couple of years I have not put a high enough priority on looking after myself. Raising a toddler on your own is very demanding and it's easy to put your own needs last. It's very easy to make excuses but if I don't look after myself who will?

There are a number of ways that I have ignored my own needs but I'm looking foward to improving in this area. I have not taken care of my physical appearance or nutured my spirit.

I moved house about 15 months ago and have struggled to find a new hairdresser. I have finally found one that charges a reasonable price for a haircut. My hair grows quickly and goes from looking alright to needing a haircut overnight (or so it seems)! It has then ended up with me needing a haircut for weeks before I get around to it and me feeling awful until then. Now that I have finally found a good hairdresser things WILL be better. I got a cut this week and then booked in for my next appointment while I was there. As I now have an appointment it is scheduled and I can't say that I don't have the time or money (or both) this week. It will happen.

I also have not coloured my hair lately. My hair is a mousey brown colour and I used to get it coloured and then highlights put in. I now can no longer justify the expense or the time it takes. A 3.5 year old is occupied in the hairdressers for the time it takes to get a haircut but throw in a colour and you are just asking for disaster. Instead this week I purchased a colour kit to do at home. I did it on a day when the little fellow was at kinder and felt so much better.

I'm trying to institute a bit more of a beauty regime as well to look after my skin and body. It makes me feel better and can perk me up when I am feeling crap.

I'm also doing a lot more reading and crafting which are activities I really enjoy. (I'll do a whole other post on crafting!)

I also need to spend some time with God. I do pray often during the course of the day, however, I have not spent enough time just being or reading with God. This is another area in which I MUST improve.

These are all simple and reasonably cheap things I can do but should provide a huge benefit (I hope) on my self-esteem. Looking after myself is important for a number of reasons. First it makes me feel better about myself. In addition, me taking care of myself teaches my son that it is important to take care of yourself.