Sleep, finance, and "me time" (Tips on Coping)

Member Name: Weelassie

Product:	Tips on Coping
Date:	02/03/09 (21 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: kids are just the best

Disadvantages: sleep deprivation, expense

Your life changes more than you can ever imagine. The experience is amazing but challenging.

My 2 kids (2 years and 4 months) are both really bad sleepers. I could never imagine what sleep deprivation was like. I wake up in the morning having felt that I have barely been in bed. How do we cope?
- My husband and I take it in turns on a weekend to have a lie-in
- Every 2 weeks they stay 1 night at the grandparents so we can get a bit of a catch up
- and I look at these kids and think "I made them!" and nothing can be better and that this is just a phase that they will soon grow out of.

Financially you have no idea what to expect. Yes, you know it's going to be expensive but it gets to the point that everything you buy is for the kids. How do I cope?
- I send off to bounty, tesco , Boots, morrisons, etc baby clubs and every so often get vouchers through the post. I collect the vouchers and keep them in my wallet so whenever I buy nappies I try and use the money off vouchers. This can save a couple of pounds each time.
- I have nectar, boots, and tescos cards which accumulate points everytime I spend. I use the boots vouchers to buy the kids clothes in boots or some toys rather than using cash.
- when I need to buy anything I check the internet for best prices and look on money saving sites for voucher discount codes.
- I try and stock up on supplies of nappies, wipes etc when they are on offers.

Tantrums are always fun. Usually when my eldest has a tantrum it's late in the day when he is very tired. I either;
- leave him to have his tantrum
- or get on the floor and copy him (he finds this funny as he thinks I look ridiculous) so soon stops.
- or let him sit in the naughty corner if he is upsetting everyone else in the room.

I have just highlighted a few areas and tips on how my husband and I cope with being parents. But I think the most important thing is to make sure there is some "Me " and some "husband and I" time. We make sure that we get out once a week with the our friends seperately and every couple of weeks do something as a couple. You need to have the time to switch off from the kids completely for a couple of hours.

Summary: kids may be expensive and demanding but well worth every penny!