My journey

Shoes can be really expensive - especially with 4 kids @Jojo2 Maybe he won't even realise most of it was for yourself and you can get away with him thinking it was mainly on the kids - fingers crossed hey

At least your kids are mainly at the age that they can occupy themselves for a while - I love the 8 to 10 age group - they are still kids but you can have a conversation with them - it is my favourite age group to teach

@Former-MemberI love that you drew dinosaurs together.

@Zoe7 made some important points about you being the best one to look after your child.

My story is the very complicated mess of various mothers not feeling, or being judged as good enough and giving up or not giving up their children. I have been in all 3 roles of that dilemna and saw the extra difficulties my 2 brothers and sister faced as being overly conflicted re foster family issues. Confusions about growing up in fancy neighbourhoods, with fancy ballet and schools, and in ghettos. Fostering was not such a great outcome for them. Sorry to be tough, but that is our truth.

(I edited a bit as maybe it was too much information. Sorry @Former-Member Hope you are alright)

@Jojo2 Have the men worked out how much it would cost if they paid as reasonable rates. With extra loadings for night time and holiday work and continual work of more than 3 hours without a break???

My story is that my rich brother who I loved dearly, tried to play that game, hiring nannies, home help etc. Even that did not really work out for him. He died a year ago, yesterday of colorrectal cancer.

A mother's love is a mother's love.

The world is a much poorer place without it.

hello @Jojo2, I have 4 step children who are all adults now , but it was hard when they were little

Hello @Former-Member, @Appleblossom, @Zoe7, @outlander

Hi @Former-Member - checking in to see how you are travelling...

@Former-Member

Hi @Former-Member it has been a while since I checked in with you last to see how you are going - hope you are travelling ok-ish

That is so good to hear @Former-Member - about you being good not the moving part - moving can be stressful!

I am doing ok today - trying to stay on top of things a bit more - I think if I had the energy to tidy up and do a little housework I would feel even better but I just don't have the energy this afternoon - it can wait another day...