50 days of River

Fifty days of River: Connection, isolation and everything in between.

parenting

  • Day 40: Back to Reality

    I woke up a bit disorientated after an odd night’s sleep, not used to not being in my bed, I guess. A text message from Sainsbury’s at 7am woke me telling me my delivery would be between 6pm–9pm that day. Thanks for that. I went back to sleep and woke up to my alarm at… Read more

  • Day 39: A Night Away

    The weekend started as it always does. Kike gets up first as he takes Summer to Jiujitsu. They leave and River hops into bed with me. “Mummy not sleeping.”No sweetheart, I’m not sleeping.“I’m very hungry.” OK, that’s my cue to get up, even though I know Kike would have already given him Breakfast Number 1.… Read more

  • Day 38: Forced Rest

    Morning Adjustments Kike took the day off so I could start recovering. When I’m in a flare (that’s when everything simply stops working), there’s not much I can do except rest. He managed to get River up and give him breakfast but last night caught up with him too and he went back to sleep.… Read more

  • Day 37: Nostalgia, Preparation and Limitations

    Slow Morning Recovery Well, I was broken. I stayed in bed till 11:30am, leaving the kids to their iPads and snacks, only getting up to make them lunch. I slowly worked through the chores: dishwasher, kitchen, laundry – the usual. I was determined to preserve my energy, as I had plans later. River entertained himself… Read more

  • Day 36: Running on Empty

    Morning Whistle Chaos The tiredness is not going away. I slept again till 8.30am but still feel awful. My spoons have well and truly run out. Summer and River were on their iPads for the morning while I did my usual clean-up and second breakfasts. Summer went to make her bed and found an old… Read more

  • Day 35: Pyjamas, Pirates and Puppies

    I asked Kike to get River up this morning. I was just too tired and knew I’d need my energy for the day ahead. Those two extra hours in bed were pretty nice. When did 8:30am become a lie-in? It’s funny how parenthood completely resets the definition of “rested.” A Pyjama Day I took the… Read more

  • Day 34: Dino Parks, Soft Plays and Party Invitations

    Morning Wake-Up Bank Holiday Monday and I had my friend come to visit with her daughter. Long-time readers might remember her – my friend from Day 9, the one who met me for drinks in ‘Big London.’ I had my usual 6.30am wake-up call from River. He still hasn’t realised he can just climb out… Read more

  • Day 32: “No New Bed” -Learning to Let Go

    The Weekend Blur During the holidays, the name of the days don’t really mean much do they?River stayed up until 10pm again last night, predictable really, thanks to the badly timed nap cycle. This morning I got up with him, I was feeling a bit unwell last night (I promise no whisky this time) so… Read more

  • Day 31: Mummy Bed, Blue iPad

    A Late Night, A Lazy Morning Last night ended up being a late one for everyone. River had a late nap so there was zero point trying for his usual bedtime. Instead, we discovered Fortune Hotel on ITV and all watched that until just after 10pm before putting the kids to bed. It’s lovely when… Read more

  • Day 30: Speaking River

    Last night, Kike and I stayed up watching trash TV and I stupidly had a whisky and coke. Who do I think I am? Don Draper. This morning, I did not feel well. But it was Summer’s day out, so there was no time to wallow. I was taking her to the theatre to see… Read more