Being on maternity leave does not make you a housewife...

*warning: This blog post includes mild angriness and ranting


Housewife: A married woman who manages her own household
Maternity leave: Leave of absence for the birth and care of a baby


There we go.


I am currently on maternity leave with a baby and also caring for a toddler around 3 days a week. My role is to look after children and, most importantly, get to know my new baby and care for him. This mainly involves changing nappies, breastfeeding and outfit changes for us both when one of the first 2 tasks gets messy. When I have time, it also includes getting excited when a child does something 'exciting' such as finish a jigsaw for the thousandth time or punch himself in the face (hand-eye coordination dontcha know).


Sometimes, on a really good day, I manage to put a load of washing on before going to playgroup (a form of torture but at least it involves biscuits) or cook a meal (not just my forte, "toast"). But I am not at home to 'manage the household', I have better things to do with my time with my children. Yes, the bathroom has various other life forms beginning to thrive in it, the bins are overflowing and don't get me started on the raisins and breadstick crumbs about the place.


But childhood is about playing and making mess and children love their parents to play with them. And during the magical nap time (I have amazing children that often nap at the same time!) I enjoy eating lunch with 2 hands, having a wee (yes that is a luxury!) and lying down. After all, I have been up since 3am with the baby.


So please don't ask me to do a list of useful jobs and don't think that when I'm sat breastfeeding that I count it as 'relaxing time'. Maybe once the kids are both in school I will tackle the mess. But for now I will enjoy life and watching them grow up. Live in the moment. Or sometimes just hide in my happy place when a toddler tantrum coincides perfectly with random baby screaming time.


Now where is the wine?!