A friend asked me the other day if I am still blogging now that Sophie is in Primary One. This has been weighing on my mind since I wanted to simplify as one of my goal’s for this year and one way was to spend less time online and be present with my family.
While I would still like to document the things we do as a family, the places we go as well as Sophie’s growing up years on the blog, I’m also mindful that she’s getting older and may find her mummy’s open documentation of her life intrusive and even embarrassing years down the road.
Of course, a more practical consideration these days is making time to blog. Since the year started, I’ve been busy helping Sophie adjust to Primary One. First, there was the early risings and early nights which we had to get accustomed to as she’s in the morning session. Thankfully, Sophie has been a happy camper so far and would jump out of bed the moment her alarm clock rings… even on weekends so that leaves me with little chance of sleeping in on weekends. *yawn*
When I’m home in the evenings after work, I’ll try to spend time with Sophie to catch up on her day, take her down to the playground or go exercise with me. Now that my mum is over at my place, our tummies are filled with lots of home-cooked goodness and she’s been such a valuable help.
After Sophie goes to sleep, I’ll start planning what to pack for her lunch box at recess time, schedule some revision for Sophie in the afternoons so that she’s kept duly occupied in the afternoons when Grandma is home with her. I’m no tiger mummy and believe that at her age, she ought to have time for play and free time so she gets a pretty balanced timetable.
Then there’s the dreaded chores that I tackle at the end of the day because I pray and hope that they will disappear *wishful thinking*. Plus I’ve been trying… to sleep before midnight so that I’m well rested to start my day early. Still working hard on that one.
Tinkering on the keyboard to learn music with no stress of being graded
So four weeks into it and I musy say I do like this pace of life so much more as I’m
- more well rested (no more late nights trying to churn out another post),
- healthier and stronger because I’m making time for exercise and workouts and no supper,
- more time for my family as we are off our devices and being fully present
And if there’s one thing that I observed is that I’m now truly living the life I desire and not just talking about the life I wished I had. Life is meant to be lived in the present tense and not with regrets as we look back over the years of the missed opportunities with our loved ones to read a bed time story together or to snuggle under the sheets or simply just to be in each other’s company just doing nothing.
So this space may not be updated as frequently as I used to and it even be neglected. But what matters is that I know full well it’s because my family is not 🙂
Anyway, I’ll still be active on Facebook and Instagram for now as I’m not ready to turn my back on social media. So remember what matters most to you and keep sowing into it if you want to reap the fruits of it 🙂
Playground time with Sophie is the best part of the day that she looks forward to
Tagged: family, family time
This struck a chord with me, Susan! I am also trying to adjust to the new routine like early bedtime and early wakeup, plus now that I have to fetch the girls to different schools, it’s really becoming a challenge! Haha, I walk so much each day that I think it’s ok that I don’t work out. Anyway, I have the same tots and concerns too about blogging yet I am still passionate to keep writing since it is my expression outlet. One step at a time. You are doing great with the bentos and glad to know you are getting accustomed to things, and most importantly enjoying every moment of it. Jia you! 🙂
And plus you have a new born, Summer, so I’m sure you have a lot more to juggle with 3 kids now. So yes, let’s do the next important thing first and the blog can take a back seat. Savouring these moments while we still have our little ones. I’m sure in no time, they will be happy to have their own friends.
Very well put Susan. I’m finding it hard-pressed for time to blog nowadays too but I’m such a creature of habit and feel kinda weird when I don’t write, even through the busyness haha. Still trying to find balance in our new routines but I’m sure I’ll get there soon. It is a good kind of busy though 🙂
Ai @ Sakura Haruka
The blog has been so much a part of our lives that I know what you mean when it feels weird not to write. But there is always a season in life and for me, this is where I’m learning to slow down and focus on what’s important to my family 🙂 yes, lets’ enjoy our good busy days. And now that I’m working out, I need to rest more and sleep early.
I totally understand Susan and it is for that reason that I am blogging lesser about what Dumpling is up to. If there is anything to document, it would be my own parenting journey and what we do as a family, peppered with some Primary school sharing here and there. It is getting busier for us now that we are in P2 and the homework is heavier but we will get there, am sure. 🙂
Not looking forward to P2. Tahnkfully Sophie’s school is taking them at a very comfortable pace, so there’s decent amount of homework. I enjoy reading your primary one posts and they’ve all been very helpful.
Kudos mama! You’ve set your priorities right with putting your family needs first. It took a lot of adjustment for me as well, to go to bed an hour after my girl sleeps. My husband and I do our best to spend couple time during that one hour. Yes, we mightn’t see the results now, but the effort we put in to be fully present will bear fruit. Jia you!!
Since my elder child started primary school last year, I blogged less frequently and spent less time on social media. Quality time with my children is my priority.
Great to hear you’ve taken on your ‘simplify’ word and is living the life you’ve always wanted!
Family first! I am replying now after all the kids have gone to sleep 🙂
cheers, Andy
(SengkangBabies)
Hmm I’ve never thought any kid will find that we’ve intrude into the lives if we continued to blog about them in Primary school years or any bit embarrassing. hahah Maybe because I haven’t REACHED there yet. Lots to learn from you next time!
Yes! It’s so easy to make a blog revolve around being a parent, but you are so much more than that, Susan!
Totally agree here that sometime we have to draw a line and setting priority is the key to it.
This is absolutely lovely. This is an eye-opener most especially for parents. This reminds everyone to always prioritize the kids and it’s challenging. That’s the road we should take and conquer. 🙂
Hi Susan, I am usually a “ghost reader” but I think you are so inspiring when I stumbled upon your blog while randomly surfing the net on mummy resources (since I m now a new mum).
Everything u write about how quality time should be spent in the present is so true.
And that project life thing makes me inspired to start one of my own as time indeed waits for no man and I don’t wanna look back regretting.
Keep on living a quality life and have faith always! 😉 jiayou!