Evening routine

I'm lucky that I don't have to do it in my own very often so hats off to you, but we both work til 5/6pm so it's impossible to fit it all in. Some things that make it easier for us though is not having a bath every day, he has 2 or 3 baths a week, dinner will be as easy as possible even if some nights it's not ideal like fish fingers or banana and custard (he's in that fussy toddler phase) but I do try to pre prepare dinner when I can, it's just not often possible but I have high hopes for slow cooker season lol. Bedtime is the worst though I often spend an hour or two (usually split with my partner luckily) because he takes so long to wind down. Before bed we read books and sing row your boat, before that he usually just runs around the living room playing on his slide or with his cars or something. Honestly every day is different and I think the thing that makes it work in a weird way is the lack of a set routine, we adapt and change depending on how tired he is, how hungry, how long we've got etc x

Hey, thanks for replying! A slow cooker is such a good idea. I think I need to get myself an early Christmas present! I am very lucky that our little girl self settles in her cot (for now, dreading the day it changes). It's managing the cooking etc when she is still awake. She's 5 months so doesn't entertain herself for long. I am slowly adapting to the less structured life but it's taking me a while haha x

Hi, I’m in a similar situation and I find a batch cook on a Sunday when my husband is home helps with the week ahead. I’ll then make enough for 4 servings and freeze some to just pull out of the freezer in the morning and then add easy sides like microwave rice. Or as previously said, slow cookers are easier! I’ve moved bath times to the mornings when I have more time so there is one less things to do at night. I purchased a robotic hover which I put on every night as I go to bed so I feel like it’s a bit cleaner when I wake in the morning. I’m far from an expert but hoping this helps. I’m sure you’re doing great x

My husband works shift work so I am in the same boat of 12-16 hour solo days. I use my slow cooker and make enough for two days for the whole family so I’m not cooking every day. I try get this done as early in the day as possible (used to be first nap). After feeding dinner, I would also bring baby upstairs with me and put my little one in a safe place so I could body shower. I would do a hair day every four days when my husband would be off. But by doing my own shower routine before doing baby’s bedtime routine, I would already be in my pjs and ready to chill as soon as he goes down with the exception of 1/2 jobs like laundry or dishwasher. I found this helped get me to bed earlier so I’d have more energy for baby or to start the day slightly earlier before little one got up so I’d be ahead of myself for the day. My little boy is now 16 months and he loves playing upstairs and we do the same routine and he helps me with the laundry and dishwasher so that’s brought forward.

Thanks for the @Vicky ! I have tried batch cooking I just rarely seem to keep on top of it and run out of ideas for things to make. I think a slow cooker is the way forward! Morning bath times make so much more sense. Why was I adding pressure by fitting them in to the night time?! 🫠😂 would love a robotic Hoover but the cat would be forever chasing it! Honestly all ideas are useful and sometimes just to have a moan and know I'm not the only one struggle with this is enough x

Hi @Aoife thanks for replying! My little girl is 5 months and we don't have a set nap routine yet but I think things will get easier and I can prep more through the day when she does. Also looking forward to her helping with jobs and getting involved in cooking dinner too so that can be done earlier. The list of jobs each evening just feels endless and then all I want to do is sleep 😂

I’m so glad I’m reading this. I came on here to calm down because I’m really feeling it today. My partner works shifts and today is working late which is also a reaccuring thing. All I want is a shower. My boy has been unwell with high temp etc for the last couple of days and I feel I’ve been alone with it all because of his shifts. As well as being 12 weeks pregnant and full up myself and having to work from home I’m just so exhausted I feel at breaking point! So no you’re not alone and being a mamma can be so difficult- I seriously hear you girl 🫶🏼😢

Aww I'm so sorry to hear this! 😢 it definitely is hard and even harder when you're not feeling well. I hope you both get well soon! We have had a lovely family day out today but now we are home, my partner starts work and the evening madness begins 🫠

@Zoe are you using huckleberry to track naps as will help establish your routine? Defo invest in a slow cooker and I found the “bored of lunch” cookbooks fab for inspo.

@Aoife Hi, no I'm not using any apps. I usually just tell when she is tired by her cues like rubbing her eyes, getting grumpy for no real reason. Her naps are around the same time each day, give or take 30 mins. My problem is she fights her last nap and has to be held or she won't sleep and we are in meltdown territory around dinner time 😅 so I can't prep dinner etc during her last nap because I'm usually binge watching Netflix whilst she sleeps on me.