Just before Christmas, I got two whole days away from the children, amazingly exciting!
Out! At the theatre. Drinking champagne. Wearing high heels. And a posh frock! So exciting. 😄
Though I quickly realised there are some ‘Mum things’ that are so ingrained in me as a parent that I do them even when the kids are not with me.
Here’s a quick round up;
Travel
1. Packing an activity pack.
2. And snacks.
3. Taking a water bottle. (Such a mum, pay for water?! Pah!)
4. Point out interesting things from the train/car window. Oooh look a tractor! Then feel like an absolute plank. This is 100% worse if you are travelling on your own.
Getting around
5. Wait for someone else to press the button at the traffic lights.
6. Then only cross when the green man tells me I can. Even if the road is completely clear. And everyone else is surging across.
Shopping
7. Spend most of my efforts looking for presents for my children.
8. And saying stuff like; ‘oooh they would love that Lego soldier!’ (Who goes to Hamleys without kids btw?! Me, that’s who!!)
Eating
9. Eating fast. Especially if there is cake. My meal time mentality is firmly stuck on, eat fast and leave or eat fast so I get more then one bite and it is nigh on impossible to shake me out of that. Resulting in me almost always being finished first and waiting impatiently for the people leisurely enjoying their food! Anyone would have thought that meals were to savour and enjoy or something, not purely functional re-fuellings!
Lie ins
10. Wake up before 7.30am. Like awake awake. Then get up because there is no point in wasting a day.
‘Wasting a day’?!?! I have become such a mum cliche!
Once a parent, always a parent hey?!
What would you add to the list?
(Just so you can see how ‘Mum’ I am, here’s a small selection of my photos from London!)
A wonderful London stereotype! Soldiers in a red phone box.
Loving the corgi!
I’m such a marvel geek at heart!
I did take a couple that were not totally child based too!
Inhaling food is a real problem. Especially anything you don’t want to have to share. I find it very difficult to eat any cake or biscuit slowly.
Very jealous of your two days away. I’d have gone to Hamley’s too 🙂
Hee hee, the waking up early thing is by far the most irritating though! Waste of a day? Waste of a blimmin lie-in!! #bigpinklink
Since becoming a parent I now go to the loo on a day out when there is an opportunity, even I don’t need to, just in case it is my only chance. Totally agree with the food one, and I love the idea of you pointing tractors out on the train on your own. #bigpinklink
I am always on ‘toilet watch’! It is similar to ‘cafe watch’. I like to know where the nearest ones are at all times! 🙂
I was watching TV the other day when the other half came in and enquired where the kids were, after I told them they had just left with their Aunt, he asked “well wtf you watching cartoons for?” old habits die hard x #bigpinklink
Hahaha, some cartoons are really good though! 🙂
I still rock the trolley back and forth at Sainsbury’s as if I’m trying to get the baby to sleep, Even though my little one was a baby over 2 1/2 years ago! Some mummy things never leave you… #bigpinklink
I do the same and we don’t even really use the buggy at all anymore!!
haha I say the same thing every time I get a lie in too! My mum thing is packing tissues. I feel lost without my tissues now 🙂 #bigpinklink
I do too! I’m always picking up big packs of them to make sure we never run out. I never used to care!! 😀
Ha ha, what a fab list. And I hope you had a great time wearing heels and drinking fizz 😉
Mother would completely relate to eating food at speed – she practically inhales her food now. And the other thing she does is the mummy sway – even when I’m not in her arms 😉 x #bigpinklink
Best thing? They were new heels! This is the equivalent to heinz bringing out a new rusk flavour I imagine! 😉 I’m a swayer too. And a trolley rocker! 😀
The last picture is stunning! I agree wholeheartedly. I can’t ‘waste a day’ now even if I’m up before six … very sad. I also take things from room to room if I’m going round the house because otherwise I’ll just have to do it another time. I should be teaching my children to, obviously, but that part of my brain doesn’t seem to have clicked in yet …#bigpinklink
I do that too, and then often forget and the things just migrate around the house in an ever growing pile! (Mountain!!)
Haha pinkpearbear! I totally didn’t realise I did this too until I read your post! (Also humming CBeebies tunes – I hummed Balamory whilst signing a document at our estate agents the other day…she had children so picked me up on it otherwise I might not have noticed haha!!) Also find it so hard to go shopping without picking up something for my little one! Enjoyed this Happy bank hol #bigpinklink
That is so funny!! It is damn catchy though! The shopping one is cropping up a lot. I’m the same, bags for them and then I pull on my ancient jeans and the vest top with the unraveling hem! 😀
Haha, yes to all of these, especially pointing out the window interesting things. I did this the other day when driving the car, then heard no reply, then I freaked out when I turned round and realised there was no one in the car. and nearly crashed. Then I remembered that I had left them at home with their Dad. You can tell this is a rarity right! #BigPinkLink
Oh my gosh! That must have been so scary! Like when they sleep through for the first time and you wake up panicking!!
Absolutely, nodding along to this.
What would I add? Toughie. I think belting out disney numbers is probably the one that makes people give me a wide berth. I can’t help it, it’s all I hear all day long!
Let it go, let it goooooooooooo! I am so guilty of believing I can actually sing too! 😀
haha yes! ive been known to point out ridiculous things to friends or even worse strangers when child free ‘ooooh look at that big doggy’ lol great post #bigpinklink
I bet they have a right giggle after they’ve encountered us! Mad mums! 🙂
I have been known to rock the odd shopping trolley back and forth….must look like a right idiot!! #bigpinklink
Yep! I do exactly the same! It’s wearing off a bit now that we’re mostly buggy free thankfully.
you can take the mum away from the kids, but you can’t take the mum out of the mum……or something like this. I always hear baby noises even when the baby isn’t with me. Mums be crazy!
Oh yes! I forgot that! Whenever I hear a ‘mummy?’ I turn around instinctively too. 🙂
haha i find myself doing most of these things as well. Go out with friends and shopping for me, come bk with nothing for me and lots of Holly! then i take pictures of things i think she will appreciate! haha
Great post
Lx
http://workingmumy.blogspot.com
#bigpinklink
My shopping is always 90% for the kids too! And 10% for hubby!
Love this! Love the London pictures – adore Regent Street – favourite place! I kind of really miss my children when they aren’t with me – I know thats silly but now that they are older I love their company so much that I find myself thinking oh I wish I could show them this or that – I am going to be total nightmare when daughter leaves for Uni – won’t cope! #Bigpinklink ps stunning photo of you lovely xx
Oh thank you!! I hardly ever wear make up so it’s the last one I have of me glammed up.Must be time for another trip! 🙂 I think about my kids all the time when I’m away and feel the same as you. I look forward to them getting to an age where trips up to London are easier.
Oooh, great pictures!!!! A trip away on your own is always exciting, but always a tiny bit ruined for every single reason you mentioned!! I went on a hen do , and was awake at 6 both mornings, just twiddling my thumbs, wishing everyone else would get up!! It then got to mid afternoon and I had to bow out of activities to go back to the hotel for a nap!! I was also never a quick eater-people actually laughed at how slow I was-not anymore!!!!! That’s one skill I’ve definitely trained myself in!
Thanks for being an ever fabulous cohostess!!!
Oh no! That’s the worst. You are desperate to get your sleep in in the mornings and it just doesn’t happen! So frustrating!! I did giggle at the thought of you sneaking off to nap though!! 🙂
I love this – I love London at Christmas! You’re so right, I eat so fast sometimes its ridiculous! The things we have to do for these babies! Thanks for hosting #bigpinklink
I do too. We were just a little early for the lights and hamley’s window was a little disappointing this year. I can’t wait to take the kids to see all the lights sometime.
I’m with you on the eating quickly. Even when my husband and I eat on our own after the Popple has gone to bed, I still wolf down my meal as quickly as possible. Also, I’m pretty sure I’m incapable of sleeping in now – my body will just wake up by 7am regardless. #bigpinklink
It’s like a pavlovian response. Our bodies have become conditioned to inhaling food and waking up early! 😀
Ha ha I’m always doing ‘mum things’ even when the kids are not with me. If I don’t have a huge bag with me I feel lost and panicked! And I’m ALWAYS buying the children stuff WHEREVER I go! Thanks for hosting #bigpinklink again 🙂
Me too! I never buy myself anything anymore. So annoying!! Often I can’t even be bothered to look for myself!
Great list and fab photos! I am having London withdrawal since our trip last month! I find that the most parent thing I do when I’m without the kids is rock! Be that with an imaginary baby in my arms or rocking the shopping trolley like it is a pram, I have become so accustomed to trying to get at least one of them off to sleep that it has become some form of parental tic!! #bigpinklink
I have the tic too! I do it everywhere. It gets embarrassing and my hip always hurts after a while! I am missing London too. Are you going to BML?
The pointing things out in the car thing had me laughing, that is me and the shopping and saying oh our X Would love that I’m guilty of too. But have you ever grabbed someone’s hand at the crossing and then realised it’s not you child? The handsome young man I accosted found it rather funny when I said oh come on green man… Ooopps!
Hahahahahaha!! That is brilliant! 😀 I bet he didn’t mind. I have patted someone’s child on the head thinking it was mine but never an adult! 😀
Yup, inhaling food is definitely a parent thing (followed by indigestion I usually find!!) And lie ins, why will our bodies not let us have a much wanted lie in anymore? Cruel! I find I also now ask child questions when my children aren’t around like, do you need to go toilet? Have you had enough to drink? Have you got everything you need? etc….. Definitely can’t switch off parent mode #bigpinklink x
I love imagining you asking your husband if he’s been for a wee! I do that too! 🙂 I think the heartburn begins in pregnancy and then stays with you for the next 10 years! 😀
Fab photos and this resonates with me too! #bigpinklink
I’m glad you like the photos, I had loads more lego ones, (LOADS!), but I pulled them as it was a bit overkill! I’ve been working on my instagram a lot lately so pics have really improved. 🙂
Aha love this, so true! I always have wet wipes and tissues on me now. And refer to things in silly sing-song voices. Nightmare. #bigpinklink
I do this! I then hear myself and cringe! 😀
All of those are so accurate! I always wait at the stoplights and I’m sure all the young college/university folk think I’m crazy. And who doesn’t take a water bottle everywhere? I was doing that even before I had kids!
#bigpinklink
I get passed by teens all the time! I am so bad at crossing when there are no lights too now! 😀
Not paying for water! Haha so true and the eating fast only for fuel…I need to be more aware of how much I’m eating though because I literally just shove it in my mouth and swallow (ooo sorry that didn’t come out how it was supposed to) ; ) #bigpinklink
Looooool!! That cracked me up! I also eat way too much. I don’t give my stomach a chance to realise I’ve started eating, never mind that I’m full! 😀
I wake up early too and feel like I’ve wasted a day if I sleep in past 9! I am always on the lookout for stuff for the kids as well. Even though they’re getting older, I still do that, LOL! Thanks so much for hosting #bigpinklink
Me too! I also feel a bit groggy all day, usually because I wake up a few times before when they get up etc. I’m always looking about for things the kids would like to do.
Hah hah yes to all these. I still seem to carry a great big bag full of wipes, chocolate buttons, tissues and other crap around with me when I’m out without the kids! Thanks for hosting #Bigpinklink
Every so often I do a grand bag clear out. It is shameful some of the stuff I find! 😀
I surely eat really fast even when I’m on my own. I never leave the house without wipes, tissues and water either. #bigpinklink
My bag always always has tissues in!
Ooh hope you had a fab time in London. I’d be taking Lego photos too!My mum thing is that I sometimes find myself still with kids TV on, long after the kids have left the room! Thanks for having me at #bigpinklink
Yes, exactly that, I do this all the time. Sometimes because I actually want to find out what happens!!! 😀
haha, I’m with you on waking up early, I couldn’t bear to waste a day! #bigpinklink
The stuff you can achieve in a day on your own!
I can eat cake in nanoseconds. Savour your food?! Not likely. If you leave a crumb, the Tubblet will be in there. Unfortunately, if you do that with friends who don’t have kids, they think you’re a bit of a piggy rather than demonstrating a key parental skill!
I’m the same. I know try and restrain myself and put the fork down between bites, (if the kids aren’t about obvs!), and it is so hard!!! 😀
I used to be a super slow eater – now I make my brother look amateur in the food eating stakes! I also have fallen into that perilous trap of not wanting to ‘waste’ a day – I have to remind myself on the very rare occasion I get a line in that this is indeed not a waste! Thanks for hosting #bigpinklink
I wish I could lie in until 7. At this point my house is up at 5 EVERYDAY!!! We always have water in our car! Loved this! #bigpinklink
We’re going through a stage of this. It’s the light, I’m sure my boy thinks he’s Anna; ‘The sky’s awake so I’m awake!’ Gah!
Haha yes I fear those words will be importable – once a mum always a mum. I too cannot help but inhale my food, even when there are no kids about. If you want a hot meal, you eat it in a matter on minutes! #bigpinklink
It must wear off though, I’ve watched my mum and she eats at a normal speed. 😀
I used to be such a slow eater… now I barely taste it! Even when out I am much quicker than before. Loved that you visited Hamleys too! I would love to go and buy J a whole heap of gifts if I was passing by! I feel naked without wet wipes now too when out with no baby! #bigpinklink
That made me laugh, naked without wetwipes!!!! I was so restrained and didn’t buy them anything. We are overrun with toys. I did bring them back the cats program and we played all the songs though. 🙂
Ah, I’m so guilty of many of these. So funny. Great post and thanks for hosting #bigpinklink
Nadia – ScandiMummy x
I’m glad I’m not the only one!!!
Ah I think it’s lovely that you’re always thinking of your children. I completely get the present buying one and also pointing this out…I mean really I have to hold back sometimes. A fire engine!!! A tractor!! A COMBINE HARVESTER!! Suffice to say I’m not very good at it! #bigpinklink
That’s such a nice way to look at it. They are always in my thoughts, what shall I get them for a present, I’d like to bring them back to do this etc. Oooh, you saw a combine?? Massive points there! 😉
Oh yes, to so many of these! I also am very prone to singing along to the nursery rhymes CD in the car…even after I’ve already dropped the kids off at nursery.
Thanks for hosting #BigPinkLink xx
Oh yes, and sitting watching Topsy and Tim when they’ve gone out of the room! 🙂
I definitely do #2, #7, and #9 even without my kids. Worst part is I’ve become obsessed with take a snack with me everywhere I go, even if I don’t need it! #bigpinklink
I get anxious if I don’t have a snack. What if all the cafes and shops I’ll pass are all closed?!
What, child free days? I’m allowed to have these? Now I’m plotting, I’m very capable of most these. The water one has always been true before Kids so I imagine it’ll be the same after. A flask of tea too! #bigpinklink
Oh yes, very very occasionally, a window of opportunity to be alone will open. Than you must RUSH FOR IT. Don’t look back, don’t stop for anything, just leg it! 😉
I still automatically bob up and down when I’m holding ANYTHING from a dog to a six pack of Pepsi… Everyone needs to be rocked to sleep! #bigpinklink
Me too!!! I sway in all the queues at the shop, rock the trolley, bounce my toddler. It’s a built in reflex now! 😀
Love the one about pointing out interesting things. I had a conversation about matters of importance with a work colleague like a real adult only to spoil the effect by pointing out squirrels!
#bigpinklink
Oooh, I just got your squirrel reference. Look! A duck! I’m not sure I ever get taken seriously as an adult, it might be the pink hair! 😉
Sounds like you had a great time! Very musing to hear that you pointed out things when driving alone in the car! #BigPinkLink
It was fab. Cats was excellent too. I do so many crazy things now. It’s a good job I don’t get too self conscious! 😀
At least you called it a tractor – I find myself saying things like “neenaw car” in front of other grown ups sometimes. THAT is proper cringe…
x Alice
#bigpinklink
Baby talk wins it! ‘Look! A choochoo!! Ahem, I mean oh, our train is here.’ 😉
Haha! Oh yes. Agreed. Also referring to myself as “mummy” when there are noooooo kids in sight….and I’m just talking to myself…alone
Oh yes! Or even worse, out on a dinner date; ‘Can you pass the salt please Daddy?’ Cringe!!
Fab list! I cant totally relate to lots of these. My worst one seems to be the penchant I have developed for drinking half cups of tea – since I became a mum I seem to have lost the ability to finish a full cup 😉 Emily #bigpinklink
Yes!! There are always cold half finished cuppas around. Even when the kids aren’t around I do it!
I am guilty of a few of these, but recently I seem to get over excited when i see a “digger” and then realise my toddler isn’t with me..cringe! #Bigpinklink
I love diggers! I can often be heard exclaiming; ‘Ooooh a crane!’ 😀
Eating fast is something I’ve quickly learned! I love that you point out interesting things to yourself! #Bigpinklink
I do it all the time! And really excitedly too! 😀
Bet you took the Lego pictures for the kids too! I do that all the time as well but luckily I quite like Lego. I also think of snacks and water for myself, I constantly check when’s tea time and where I can have tea? Ha! #bigpinklink
Yes, food planning is VITAL! I took so many pictures, it was ridiculous!
So true waiting for a green Man and waking up early. Even waiting and using the same area even though I don’t have the added space still do it without a kid X #bigpinklink
I wonder how many stranded mums there are at traffic lights across the country at this minute?! 😉
I’m the same with food, gotta eat fast and then get that baby home to bed… Oh wait he’s already at home I’d best get a bottle of wine while you all finish! I’m also a nightmare for automatically pulling into parent and child spaces at supermarkets and then having to awkwardly reverse/manoeuvre myself out so I don’t annoy anyone who actually needs it. Xx
#bigpinklink
So that’s why I’m always drunker then everyone else!! 😀 I do that do, automatically go to P+C parking and remember I’m alone!
i just cant seem to eat at a normal pace since I had the kids, when out for a child-free dinner I just inhale it and dont enjoy it.
If I was ever out at the supermarket without the kids, I would often find myself rocking the trolley back and forward at the checkout… often forgetting it was a trolley and not the buggy! x #bigpinklink
I inhale too, and don’t ever taste it really! I also do the rocking at the till. The other day I was holding something heavy in my arms and realised that I’d been swaying it as I’d been holding my friend’s baby the day before! 😀
I think once a mom always a mom. It is completely hard to turn of the instints or habits we form when with the kids. I loved the ironman lego man#bigpinklink
Ha ha love it. One thing I find I do if I am ever without the little darlings is to constantly look behind me, wondering where there are! Oh and yes the dreaded waking up early! I find it impossible to lie in these days.
#bigpinklink
I rarely go out without my bubba but when I do i have to hunt for half an hour to even find a bag that isnt a changing one and I always come home with more for her if anything for me. Totally relate
#bigpinklink
Haha – this is definitely how I shop now! Even if I was actually supposed to be getting something for me, I’m more likely to come back with something for them! #bigpinklink