I'm still me

I love cycling and whenever I can I cycle to work. Its helped that its being really mild this Autumn and not too wet until recently. When I rock up with the bike, towing the trailer and children’s bike seat I get comments about being super mum which is nice, its also good for the environment and saves fuel costs. Some think I’m crazy to add another thing to get ready in the morning but it gives me a little head space as well as ticking off some exercise for the day. Its also how I've always got to work.

I think because raising children is so all consuming it can be easy to just not do anything for yourself or forget what you used to do / enjoy before kids. We’ve always tried to keep up our adventures although its become harder the more children we have. When Harry was a baby we just took him everywhere even up a mountain in Chamonix – I think there hadn’t been many 4 month old babies in the little mountain hut before especially as under 2s are not allowed in the cable cars so we had to hike from the bottom! When Lucy joined the family it was fine too as we had the 2 child carrier backpacks. We kept up our nice long hikes and even had a big adventure in the Azores. Once we had 3 we have had to adjust our walks and are much more frequent visitors to National Trusts but we still get out on the bikes with them all. Its taken investment in all the gear but its definitely been worth it. Its easy to say ‘we just can’t do it’ but you can usually find a way.

I think its important to not lose yourself completely in the all consuming task of raising children and find things that are just for you. I haven’t managed to get back to badminton again after Sophie but I try to get out running. I hadn’t been for a little while but got out this morning. I did have to leave Connie crying but I knew it will probably only last about 5 minutes (when Harry was Connie’s age he would have cried the whole time saying ‘Mummy gone’ and waited by the window until I came back - Connie’s much more used to sharing Mummy!) After my run all the girls wanted to have a shower with me – I guess I can only ask for so much. I suppose its nice to be wanted… although pretty exhausting!

When I don’t take the time to get out running or find something to clear my head it does affect my mood. I can sink into self pity mode and also tend to get unfairly annoyed at Tim. Any time that he takes time to himself I’m suddenly keeping score or blaming him for me not getting time to myself. Its normally unfounded as I only have to ask and he is normally very willing to help me out. I have to plan it in, prioritise it otherwise it won’t happen because the job of looking after children is never ending. Even as I write this I'm currently sitting in the kid's bedroom trying to sooth Sophie to sleep. That 40 minute run this morning might be what's keeping me sane right now so take it when you can!