There hasn't been much spontaneity in my life these past few years. There was a time when a Friday morning at work would have me and colleagues wistfully looking outside at the sunshine. By the end of the working day a plan had been hatched and we all dashed home threw some kit and food together and drove off. It usually involved putting a tent up in the dark, lots of fun and many adventures. That's not to say that those last two have not continued to be a feature of our lives but from a purely practical point of view it has to involve a little more planning. It is easy to lose touch with your friends that don't have children. The Friday night 'do you want to' calls dry up after constant rejection. Its not that you can't have fun and adventures with two small children in tow its just that you need plenty of time to organise yourself and them.
I always feel like the control freak with the small voice in my head saying 'what about food' any time we start talking about things we could do over a weekend. A downside of meal planning is that the planned dinner/lunch might not make such a good picnic, but with a bit of thought it can. Planning for possibilities a dinner/lunch to be eaten in or taken out. A discussion at breakfast turns into a reality the next day. A new kind of spontaneity that I like, sometimes!
Oh how I understand this! And one of the downsides to being the person who is currently responsible for 99.9% of our meals is that my husband simply doesn't give it any thought. It's not that he's not considerate, it's just that he doesn't realize the planning and time that goes into it all because he doesn't do it himself. Good thing there's still plenty of fun to be had - even if it's not too spontaneous.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean. I sometimes feel very mired in my life as a mother, as much as I really love it, because it does make it difficult to just let loose and do things. I was never a terribly spontaneous person to begin with - I've always fretted about schedules and such - but there was more spontaneity for sure. I think meal planning is a great way to put some spontaneity back into your life! It doesn't have to long-range, even just a day ahead can still feel a little exciting. :)
ReplyDeleteCompletely understand this but I rather enjoy the gentler pace of life when it comes to having children. Now that mine or rather my youngest one is older we can be a little more spontaneous x
ReplyDeleteI am lucky to be able to be quite spontaneous for myself when I fancy it. It is more complicated when the little ones or indeed the whole family are involved, more planning, less spontaneous. As to food, we are hopeless. Richard does most of the shopping, not communicating what meals he has in mind and so we are forced to be spontaneous. Not quite how I like it. Have a lovely rest of the week. x
ReplyDeleteIt's just the phase of your life that you're in at the moment, things change really quickly with children depending what age they're at. I remember things having to be planned with military precision when my two were babies, so many things to remember to take out with you, it just didn't seem worth bothering with in some cases and there was certainly no room for spontaneity, things seem to get easier as they get older.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on this, but I find as the rhythm of motherhood falls into place, and my little man gets older, I get better at getting things together quickly for a spontaneous day out :)
ReplyDeletewe are supposed to have warmer weather next week, at least last I heard, and I was thinking of a packed lunch at a park....I hope that I can and it comes true. Love the last photo :)
ReplyDeleteHaving children means that you have different kinds of adventures. They may not be the same as when you were without them, but they will bring a new element that you couldn't have imagined before. It doesn't last long though - school-age years, university, lives of their own - and then a new kind of adventure will start xx
ReplyDeleteThe first photo is breathtaking - perfect spring shot!
ReplyDeleteSo true. I went to Amsterdam with my 13 year old daughter for the weekend last year and we had a great time. But i was surprised how nervy i was, when i used to be someone who went backpacking around the world and settled in the UK from NZ. Being a parent changes us and if we aren't reflective and thoughtful about that (as in your post) we can remain the way we were when the kids were toddlers and not move on into the bigger adventures that our growing circumstances allow. I know thats something i need to be careful of, thinking up reasons not to do things and saying a lot of 'no's'
ReplyDeletea planned spontaneity...I like that too!!!
ReplyDeleteAlthough we do plan meals, if we then do something different which changes our plan,I will cook what we were going to have and put it in the freezer, ready for a busy day. And of course a big pot of soup can use up all sorts of things from the fridge!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time away and your new found spontaneity - sounds like a wonderful way to spend time with your family... Weather your a little bit in control or not :)
ReplyDeleteThe what about food question continues to dog me even though we are mostly only two now that our sons have left home. However there are unexpected arrivals and if it is my small grand-daughter she needs very prompt food of an appropriate kind on the table and that doesn't just magic itself into being. I liken our house to a tidal beach with sudden inrushes of people and outflows, which without careful planning can leave us either inundated with food or high and dry!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy your trip! As the children grow, spontaneous adventures can happen more often.
ReplyDeleteI always add plenty of picnic type items onto my food shop for weekend spontaneity purposes! Planning and spontaneity - it is such a difficult balance ...
ReplyDeleteI think spontaneity suits me better. Try as I might to be organized, I always hear the calling of something different on the day. I think my children have grown used to me not always having snacks and grabbing lunch out just before the cafe/pub shuts. Hopefully they'll look back on their childhood and think it was an interesting time, and forget the rumbling tums!
ReplyDeleteHow fun of you to make the move to be more spontaneous with your two little ones. It is hard isn't it? I am reliving that all with Little Buddy, we need the diaper bag, a drink, snacks, a stroller, canes and a walker, so often it is easier to stay put!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
It is so much harder to spontaneous with children isn't it. I used yo just make last minute decisions and fly out of the door and maybe grab a sand which if I felt hungry but with kids in tow it's difficult. It takes so long to get out. Eli has allergies too so its difficult to grab something on the go.
ReplyDeleteI do kinda miss the ability to be spontaneous. Perhaps if I were more organised I would be able to get a bit of spontinuity back :)