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Simplified Mum Life

Nina A Spencer – Motherhood Mentor – Simplifying the every day for busy overwhelmed mums -Mum Of Twins Twice! Placenta Accreta Survivor, Mental Health Champion, On my own simple living Journey filled with adventure and travel . Embracing The Imperfectly, Chaotic moments of motherhood.
Adventures

Surviving The Christmas Market

Christmas for me and our family is the best time of the year. A great tradition for us is heading to a Christmas Market like Lincoln Christmas Market.

Lincoln Christmas Market

In 2019 the market will be held from Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th

Lincoln Christmas Market is one of the Biggest Christmas Markets in Europe with  250,000 + visitors soaking up the festive feel.

Wandering around the 250 plus stalls with mulled wine wafting through the historic and  picturesque streets.

Other Christmas Markets

Throughout England more and more Christmas markets are popping up.

I do love a market especially around Christmas time. You often get more artisan style stalls over the festive period and buying your Christmas gifts at these markets is a great way to support local producers.

Planning ahead

Heading to a festive market especially with anxiety can be a daunting prospect! Planning ahead is the best way to feel less stressed.

Here are a few things to help me survive my day out!

Tips To Survive Christmas Market

  • Travel – How am I going to get there? Make sure you are not already stressed from taking a wrong turn or because you are running late for a train. If its a big Christmas Market be aware that some roads may be closed
  • Parking – Is there a park and ride? DO you have change for the meter?
  • Clothing – Make sure you have suitable clothing & footwear. There will be alot of walking and you will no doubt have lots of bags to carry.You dont want to get to hot!
  • Have your Christmas list with you! That way you know who your buying for and roughly what you want to get
  • Get a shopping list too – Are there some things you would like to purchase on the day? A snow globe or some Christmas potpourri maybe?
  • Stick to your budget! – If you have a budget for the day dont go over it! Do you really need another candle holder?
  • Make stops throughout the day for food & Drink.  Don’t just fill up on samples and Glühwein Make sure you hydrate with water or a cuppa!

Have you been to a Christmas Market? What is your must buy?

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Blogging

December blog & YouTube Plans – Vlogmas 

Our elves have landed and there is flashing lights everywhere. Yes it’s December people. img_1776

So this month on the blog…

I want to tell you about a message from a special person.

I will be uploading an elf roundup towards the end of the month.

There is my regular post that first appeared on Meet Other Mums.

And I may stick in a couple more of I really need to tell you something.

However. It is December which means the festive busyness has begun.

Over on my YouTube channel I have started Vlogmas.

Uploads every night except Sunday up until Xmas Eve.

Mondays – Weekend Vlog

Tuesday – Friday DITL (day in the life)

Saturday – Sit-down Chatty vlogs.

So head on over to join us through December.

Check out day one here.

 

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Friends

She Went Into Labour

A friend went into labor today. Her waters broke at 4am and I was so exited for her and for myself. A new baby to play with!

I posted a while back how myself and my husband had decided that despite wanting a big family it would be best to concentrate on getting my wellbeing on track! Dealing with my mental health issues instead of thinking about having another baby.

But you see, I knew my friend bringing her baby into the world would have an impact on me and today when she went into labour, I had all those feels of not having a “real” birth. The feeling in the pit of my stomach that I had somehow missed out because I had a c section!

Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying having a c section is the easy way out.  I’m not judging anyone, this is just how I feel about my own birth story.

Today I cried. I cried that my friend had to go through another labour only to be wheeled to theatre for another c section. I cried with jealousy because she had gone into labour – something that I have never felt. I cried with relief that the baby was born. I cried because even though I said I want to concentrate on my wellbeing I still feel like I would like to try again!  I’m 36 my husband 47 in December we are not getting any younger. I feel like I’m just getting into the swing of things.

The sleepless nights, the crying, the green nappies and the projectile vomit are on my list of cons against another.

The instant love, the new baby smell, the watching a new little human develop, in a selfish way the attention you get when you’ve just had a baby! That. That’s why I’d want another.

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My instagram feed is full of babies at the moment and it’s only adding to my broodiness.

When I meet this baby I’m going to be a mess. I just know I’ll be back thinking what a good idea it would be to try again!!

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This post first Appeared on Meet Other Mums 

Meet Other Mums is a great platform for sharing stories & for meeting other like minded mums from your area!

Wicked Wednesday

Wicked Wednesday – 2 minute silence??

On Sunday we had M’s first remembrance parade with rainbows. 

The parade went well it was cold but the sun was shining. 

Afterwards there was a church service we all went to. Both J & M were very well behaved. 

However when we went outside for the placing of the poppies and the 2 minutes silence things changed. 

J asked what we were doing after. I had promised to take them for hot chocolate. 

He asked if he could take his iPad. 

When I said no he put up a fight. 

He cried and shouted “I want my IPad” the church bells stopped ringing 11am and everyone around us had bowed heads. 

OMG it’s 2 minutes silence. 


J was still screaming about his IPad. 

I ended up walking him out of the church yard and up the street. 

I was so cross with him! 🙁 

We ended up postponing hot Chocolate. 

Why is it they kick off at the worst moments. 

Joining in with Brummy Mummy of 2’s #wickedwednesday 

Friends

Lone Parenting – Pros & Cons

So hubby has gone away to work again!

Every time he works away the week or two before his mood dips and my anxiety heightens.

So I’m on my own again! It’s only a week this time and I know there are some out there that are single parents all the time! There are some out there whose hubbys are away 6 month’s at a time!

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But pros and cons of being a lone parent!

 Pros

  • I can watch tv at all hours of the night! – Sometimes when I can’t sleep I like to listen to a sitcom like Miranda or not going out. but when hubby is fast asleep I don’t like to put tv on!
  • Snuggles in bed with the kids – Okay we have snuggles most nights but when it’s just us I love that they fall asleep snuggled up to me! we chat about our day and plan what we are doing tomorrow!
  • I tend to read more when hubby is away – I can grab a cuppa and a book and sit and read once the kids have gone to sleep.
  • There is more hot water – one less bath means more hot water for me to have a bath!
  • Less washing – Hubby goes though more clothes a week than the kids!

Cons

  • I feel very alone at night – once I’ve locked the door I know the only people I’m going to see is my kids and although I love them lots it’s no substitution for my hubby!
  • I tend to eat rubbish when hubby is away  – It’s no fun cooking meals for people who would rather have a happy meal!
  • Reassuring hugs & kisses – If I have a bad day when hubby is away There is no one to hug away the bad feelings of the day!
  • I don’t really sleep very well when hubby is away – Despite sometimes having sleepless nights anyway, when hubby is away he tends to be in a different time zone and somehow I adopt that time zone too!
  • My anxiety goes through the roof when hubby is way – My brain is on over drive with what ifs.
  • There is no-one else to put the kids in bed – If the kids fall asleep not in bed I have to be the one to carry them to bed!
  • I feel sad that hubby is missing things – The kids do something that makes me proud, or we make a memory together , Hubby is missing them.

I miss him when he is away!

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I will get through the week, I will miss him then he will be back and I will be moaning about him again within days!

 

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Where to next?