First day back at work today in the new year.  The morning started as usual but the kids are not back at school until Monday.  We left daddy at his work and then I left the children with my parents for the day and continued on my journey.

The day passed, busy as usual. My head was racing this morning and I had the feeling of exhaustion and just wanting to go back to bed.  I was pleased to finish my day and get back in my car and head home.

The children had had a busy day and had fun travelling on the bus with Grandma and Grandad. My daughter was tired after walking around the town and had shown my mum some dolls that she is now wanting.  She has not bought them yet but I’m sure my daughter might find some with her birthday present this year.  My 5 year old loves her dolls and has been collecting the Disney Princess toddlers.

Many grandparents I know like to treat their grandchildren. My two don’t always know how lucky they are. They drive us all mad but my mum does like to spoil them.

The children have gone to bed well tonight. They are both exhausted and are both asleep in their own beds. It is nice when we don’t have to keep telling them to go to bed.

Sitting here now watching the soaps and yawning, the stress of Christmas now gone and being mum. I somehow need to find some time somewhere to myself but life carries on. Christmas is over and the new year has started.  We continue on round and round life’s hamster wheel.

Back to work tomorrow and the children have a day with daddy.  They do love spending time with him but I know when  I get home tomorrow, I will find them on the iPad and iPod.  My son was asking me to read him Roald Dahl  ‘Esio Trot’ tonight. I was too tired to sit and read. I left him reading it to himself but told him we will do some reading together on Friday, he was happy with this plan.

Friday will be our last weekday off alone together for a little while.  I know that I need to make the most of the time that we have as time races by so quickly.  So reading together is one thing we can do, watch a film is another or we could walk to town. I need to not spend the day on my laptop like I have the last few days. I’m sure as well that the children would like to do something.  I’m planning on hiding the gadgets as they make me mad.

Anyway a shorter entry tonight, back to work tomorrow and I know that I will not want to leave the house as my family are all at home relaxing together. Though it is nice sometimes to talk to another adult other than my husband.

So I am now going to go and get some rest ready for the morning. I also need to remember to load the washing machine before leaving the house.  I’m now going to try and build some strength for tomorrow and being mum.

Today was Monday and the last day of 2018. I struggled to get out of bed as I was the only one going to work.  We were woken by a little voice “daddy its 7.20 get up”.  I needed to get up and ignored the voice. Daddy told him to go back to his room.  He then sat on our bed and proceeded to play Minecraft.  Have you ever tried to fake sleep when you know that you need to get your lazy self out of bed and there is an annoying beeping noise going on from a computer game in the room?  I had to get up, I could not lie there any longer.

Once downstairs I made toast and had my breakfast. Soon after my 5 year old appeared fully dressed and then daddy. It was hard leaving the house as my heart was at home with my family however, it was also nice to have a little break from the noise and the child stress.  Nice to see another adult and have an adult conversation.

I then came back home, typed letters, sent emails and made phone calls.  I could hear my family and they were all too busy talking and playing to bother me which was good. I always find it hard returning to work after annual leave. I made my usual call to IT as my password had expired over the Christmas holiday and I could not log in.  I had a busy day and was relieved to finally turn off the laptop at the end of the day.

I finally went and found my family.  The kids day with daddy is very different to a day with mummy.  The television has been on all day and the children were on their gadgets for most of it. One day the children will get a shock as mummy and daddy will actually both be tough with the iPad at the same time.

My 7 year old proudly told me tonight that he was reading Roald Dahl, ‘Esio Trot’. I would really like both my children to enjoy reading.  Encouraging them to use their imaginations and enjoy what they are reading. I have always loved a good book but getting my children to turn off their gadgets and focus is difficult.

Last day of the year today seems unbelievable that 2018 only has 2 hours left.  Both children were hard work to get to bed tonight.  Our son went to sleep before our daughter. She came back downstairs at 9.30pm complaining that she did not have a pudding tonight.  After that, she carried her dolls upstairs two by two.

I wonder if the children will be any easier a year from now. I’m hoping that they are not harder.  We can only live day by day and do our best as parents.  Every day we do our best for them and work to give them the best we can.

Nearly the new year and we are sat here watching Louis Theroux. We have already heard fireworks outside. I wonder if there will be many here as the clock strikes new year.  However, we will definitely put BBC1 on near midnight to see the London Fireworks.  I’m sure London is very busy tonight as always.

Anyway, I am now going to go, my last day by day blog entry for 2018.  Tomorrow will be another year.  Happy new year to everyone! may next year be a good one.

I’m now going to get myself another drink, then try and rest before bed. Be ready for my job again in the morning of being mum.