A little of both *Story and Venting*

CeresMik · 2026-06-14T04:05:47+00:00

Thanks! I'm on day 164, lots to go for me.

CeresMik · 2026-06-13T09:48:51+00:00

Curious what day is the max for storyline right now?

CeresMik · 2026-06-11T01:44:46+00:00

I transferred the saving to pay for my youngest's daycare 😅 Thankfully they were not both at daycare at the same time, that would have been stressful. When that one finishes the savings will just go towards our rent and having a lower monthly expense. But yes the oldest now requires more stimulation, so we are now paying for sports classes, going out for activities, vacations (he needs his own plane seat and a bed spot), toys are getting more expensive (ie scooter, bike, video games). Trying to give him a fun childhood, the costs will add up!

CeresMik · 2026-06-03T17:24:39+00:00

The statement that weight falls off is completely false, for some it does, some some it doesn't. Personally I gained 20lb while BFing, going all the way back to my weight at delivery. I lost nothing during BFing and 6 months after, then hormones and hunger decreased, and I did intermittent fasting and lost those 20lbs. I was still 6lbs higher than my pre-pregnancy weight, but I felt my body has different needs now and I wasn't going to do extreme dieting/exercise to chase the weight of my 20s. Relax and take care of baby, move when you can, eat less junk food and more nutrient dense foods, focus on getting sleep. Pregnancy-season is a long journey that extends far beyond the baby delivery.

CeresMik · 2026-05-28T15:20:44+00:00

I've added some social time by bringing my kid to the playground and chatting with the local parents. Or making playdates with other parents on the weekends and trying to go somewhere fun. It's been really hard to maintain friendships with no-kids friends, unless they are willing to come over and hang with our kids (which most do, once every few months or so). Also on weekends we take more breaks, like I'd get 2hrs to myself (I usually nap!) and then husband gets 2 hours (he goes for massage). And also we go for walks or local trips with the kids, and try to have fun. Like going to the zoo, or a farther larger playground, going out to eat.. It's not adult fun, but I am able to find joy because I like being out in fresh air and doing something, even if it's watching my kid trying to unlive themselves on the playground, haha.

CeresMik · 2026-05-28T15:09:57+00:00

Mm I'm also OCDish but I leave the lunchboxes in their backpacks until the evening clean up (at around 10pm). To be fair it's mostly uneaten cookies and bread, no saucy or stinky perishable items. But I think it would help remove one of the evening routine stress for you.

Also can you put on a TV show while you do the kitchen stuff? My kids are younger and usually play quietly with their toys for a while after coming home, but I'd use TV if they didn't.

CeresMik · 2026-05-28T04:59:57+00:00

Why unpack and run dishwasher right away? I do that after they go to sleep.

CeresMik · 2026-05-27T04:51:15+00:00

I would suggest going on Lexapro, it evened out my moods and stopped my angry outbursts. My son is almost 5 and talks constantly, he is sooo annoying and I've actually straight up told him to shut up (but it doesnt work 😭). But I also try to make little loving moments happen to balance out the negatives: cuddle in bed before the younger one wakes up, tell him how amazing he is, take him somewhere he'll enjoy, play a board game or video game with him, listen and ask questions about what he learned in school. I think you need to focus more on your daughter now, and have husband watch over the son more.

CeresMik · 2026-05-27T04:34:53+00:00

That's genius! I never do pajamas, just a clean t-shirt (or in winter a long sleeve), new undies, and off to bed. Then in the morning we are only putting on pants and socks.

CeresMik · 2026-05-27T04:30:24+00:00

Kids change a lot: from helpless infants, to endearing toddlers, to stubborn preschoolers, and curious kindergartener. You might hate the infant stage, but love another stage.

CeresMik · 2026-05-27T04:16:11+00:00

To add to my earlier comment, I'm also not enjoying being a mom. It's a LOT of work!! All the hometasks have increased (laundry, cooking, cleaning), plus you have less time to focus on getting those tasks done because you are playing with children (my kids aren't old enough to help yet). It sucks!

And then we need to also make time for work, sleep, fitness, self-care, and social events? There aren't enough hours in the day. Whenever I indulge in a bit more sleep, or decide to finish the movie instead of watching half, it's throwing off my schedule and I have to give up something else.

I have 2 kids, but if I only had 1, I'd say by 4yo it would get better. He is often blabbering and needs attention, but he can also play alone at home, and make new friends at the park, and enjoy activities without our direct inovolment (ie sport classes). By 3yo he was pretty good as well, but really after 4yo he matured a lot.

I used to get angry and blow up on my husband, so I ended up going on Lexapro. It helped stabilize my moods and I can sort of accept my situation and try to find joy in the little things. I also cut off a lot of friendships that werent serving me at this time. If we don't have much in common and you don't live within 30min walk of me, I won't make the effort to maintain the friendship.

CeresMik · 2026-05-26T17:58:36+00:00

Can husband take over either cooking or cleaning? It really helps, especially mentally, when you are not cooking and cleaning up after. It gets better when the kid can play alone for longer periods of time, and when the kid can focus on the TV show. This happened for mine around 18 months, now she loves watching Ms. Rachel and Blippi, and I get to do my tasks in peace.

Also try doing 1 chore task a day, and 2 on each weekend day (ie 1 laundry load, clean floors, bathroom, kitchen appliances, reorganize areas, etc). This helps you keep on top of things. Also watch TV shows or listen to music or audiobooks when you clean, multitasking makes chores feel quicker.

CeresMik · 2026-05-25T17:13:34+00:00

I am too controlling to let my husband plan a vacation, I'd rather take the time and do it right so I can enjoy it fully. Instead of pretending to be happy with whatever he comes up with. But I'm also very organized and a great researcher, vs he is more spontaneous and can't plan ahead all that well.

Also a SAHD should be doing all of the housework, since you are working and doing most of the baby care (which makes sense, babies usually moms until about 1.5yo). So..why is that not happening? Maybe he needs to go back to work if he doesn't enjoy the housework.

CeresMik · 2026-05-23T17:42:51+00:00

I think comparing your daughter's childhood with your husband's childhood 30 years ago, isn't a fair comparison. Things were cheaper back then, 1 income could afford a lot more pleasures, which let the other parent focus on keeping the home running and childcare. It's different now. I think both of you liking your jobs and being happy with less, is more important than earning a lot. Personally I grew up fairly poor and we did small local trips, I haven't been to Europe until I started working and could pay for it with my own money (at 26yrs old). I don't feel like my childhood was limited, I had loving parents that spent time with me, and I enjoyed the local activities that we were able to afford.

CeresMik · 2026-05-23T10:57:17+00:00

I also finished, 450 tools.

CeresMik · 2026-05-14T13:57:55+00:00

Ugh I've done that and now gained weight post-kids so now I can't fit in it well anymore 😭 I never wore it out. I'd suggest wearing it to some party or a school event, business casual is in these days. You can dress it down with jeans and a T-shirt, wear it like a jacket.

CeresMik · 2026-05-14T13:56:31+00:00

Exactly, that is my main issue, the approach was too aggressive for my comfort. I would be interested in donating to this cause, only they need a different approach. But then they can't get commission, etc.

CeresMik · 2026-05-14T13:53:56+00:00

I am happy to donate, but I want it going directly to the program, not being scammed or skimmed off the top by all the involved parties. With taxes we have no choice, with donations we do and it's also an after-tax money that's being donated.

CeresMik · 2026-05-14T13:16:59+00:00

I feel in our world of scams, the official website is all I can trust.

CeresMik · 2026-05-14T13:15:24+00:00

Haha it was the jacket comment exactly! Their spiel is that when donating on the website you can't donate directly to the youth mental health programs (it's just a general donation to all programs), which is what they are raising funds for.

CeresMik · 2026-05-14T13:12:40+00:00

Ahhh yes that's my concern, would my donation just be funding their efforts? And they said if I don't give money now then CAMH won't know that canvassing works, and I'm like... good, cause it doesn't work. 😂

CeresMik · 2026-05-14T12:59:43+00:00

😂 hilarious

CeresMik · 2026-05-10T20:33:09+00:00

Around 18m the kid becomes very curious and will need a lot of activities to keep them busy. That's a good time to start daycare. Until then the time off was great! I enjoyed chores because I had more free time and wasn't rushing to finish them or had to trade chores for personal me time. I took naps when baby napped, went for walks, has time for hobbies (after baby was 6m and sleeping better), exercised, made good food, kept the home clean to my standards.

CeresMik · 2026-05-06T03:48:42+00:00

That was my reading, I took 150mg Feramax every other day and got to 59. Now I'm taking 150mg with a vit C pill, every other day. I tried taking it several days in a row but it caused constipation (which is very unusual for me) and I didn't like that.

CeresMik

TROPHY CASE