Anonymous wrote:It will get MUCH easier when the kids get a little older and don't need be watched every single second. Even then, it will seem like they will be little forever; but one day you will blink and they'll be big kids, and you'll wonder how you will survive without the babies who needed you so much. Then they'll turn into charming and intelligent people who will be so much more fun than little kids, and you'll wish they could stick around forever while you start planning to help them leave.
If you are working full time, keep in mind that they may start to need you more in the afternoons when they hit middle school.
Oh, and you will lose the extra pounds when you have a little more time for yourself. Don't worry about it and buy some nice things to wear in the meantime.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Live below your means. Save, Save, Save and Invest. Cut up those DAMN credit cards since you can't seem to be responsible with them!
+1000 Credit is evil and it sucks away life.
Anonymous wrote:I would give anything to have my sweet little family back. I would make sure that I hugged my kids every day and told them that I loved them. I probably did, but I'm not sure now. I would have put my job LAST- I would LEAN OUT ( yep, Sheryl Sandberg, you are dead wrong...) I would make sure that our finances were better by never going into debt except for our house. I would do more with my parents and included them in things more. I would have stopped thinking about the future and would have been more mindful about the present.
My kids are adults now- living their own lives. My Mom died and my father is dying. It all happened so fast it seems. It really is so few years that that you have in this wonderful chaotic circus..and then...it stops.
Anonymous wrote:Prioritize
1) Health (including sexual health)
2) Marriage (including lots of sex, a good sexlife is the glue that makes the bond stronger) and family
3) Finances - live below your means, not be in debt, have a life style that can be sustained with one paycheck, maximize retirement savings,
4) Make your health insurance work for you - begin your year by getting all the wellness visits, eye exams, breast, prostate exams, dental work and other specialist work out of the way. Your deductibles should be used towards that in the beginning of the year. Maintain a record of everything.
5) Have a will in place
6) Get some additional qualifications, skillsets under your belt and look for another job if you hate your job.
7) Kids come before work. The more time you spend with them, the more they will thrive. This is unlike your work.
8) Forgive family. Have a relationship with everyone - parents, ILs, siblings. Realize that with some you will have strong relationships and with some a limited one.
9) Live as minimalistically as you can. This will free up lots of time and space.
Anonymous wrote:PP, thank you. I'm OP, just lost my brother (among other stresses) and needed this reminder.
Anonymous wrote:Live below your means. Save, Save, Save and Invest. Cut up those DAMN credit cards since you can't seem to be responsible with them!