close
SM-Stamp-Join-1
  • Selfish Mother is the most brilliant blogging platform. Join here for free & you can post a blog within minutes. We don't edit or approve your words before they go live - it's up to you. And, with our cool new 'squares' design - you can share your blog to Instagram, too. What are you waiting for? Come join in! We can't wait to read what YOU have to say...

  • Your basic information

  • Your account information

View as: GRID LIST

READY FOR ACTION! (IT’S THE WEEKEND)

1
Not so long ago, weekends were the ultimate sweetener after a hard-working week. They were full of lingering pub lunches, drunken hazes, heavenly lie-ins, compelling conversation and sedentary sessions on the sofa (glossy supplement in one hand, a large rioja in the other).

Being one of those unsporty, creature-comfort-loving types who prefers lounges to lunges, my two days off were not about strenuous exercise. Excursions were off the agenda – well, despite the odd ramble through a field, ideally in the sunshine and with a pub in sight. And, come

SelfishMother.com
2
Sunday evening, I’d feel rested and ready for the week ahead. How I miss those days!

Four years and two little boys later, I’ve been forced to change my lazy ways.

My typical Saturday now starts abruptly at around 6am with a raring-to-go four-year-old in my face screaming, ’Wake up!’ Then, while I’m fumbling about in a daze, trying to fulfil my two-year-old’s endless demands of ’More milk, Mumma!’ and ’I want Ben and Holly, NOT Peppa Pig!’, my (always) enthusiastic husband will think up an action-packed ’plan’ for the day ahead. And

SelfishMother.com
3
before I know it – or even have time to make my face remotely passable for public places – I’ve been bundled into the car along with my super-excited sprogs, ready for an adventure.

I have to admit, these boy-scout-like trips used to fill me with dread. I’d often make an excuse – food shop to do, ironing pile to get through – and leave my other half to it. But, after being coaxed into joining in, I’ve began to enjoy these family outings more than I could ever have imagined. What’s more, I’ve discovered an adventurous side in me that I never knew

SelfishMother.com
4
existed.

I’ve dabbled in dry skiing, had an embarrassing attempt at wall climbing, ruined my prized Ash trainers at a muddy monster-truck show, hung out at skateparks, bodyboarded badly in freezing sea, rowed on a lake whilst gripping onto a jumpy toddler and freaked-out dog, and whizzed down water slides at frightening speeds.

Yes, I’m left feeling shattered by Monday, but the precious time spent with all three of my boys (husband included) is so worth it. We’ve all had a laugh at my clumsiness, shed tears over nasty tumbles, mended scraped

SelfishMother.com
5
knees and shared an under-umbrella group hug during one ice-cold torrential downpour.

It’s made us all closer and filled our sons’ little heads with the kind of memories that make childhood that bit more special.

So, instead of sinking into my armchair this Saturday afternoon – with a glass of vino, a big slab of Green & Black’s (burnt toffee) and the Real Housewives of Orange County on TV – you’re more likely to find me dangling haphazardly from a tree. Bring it on!

Motherhood is different for all of us… if you’d like to share your

SelfishMother.com
6
thoughts, why not join our Network & start posting?
SelfishMother.com

By

This blog was originally posted on SelfishMother.com - why not sign up & share what's on your mind, too?

Why not write for Selfish Mother, too? You can sign up for free and post immediately.


We regularly share posts on @SelfishMother Instagram and Facebook :)

- 11 Feb 15

Not so long ago, weekends were the ultimate sweetener after a hard-working week. They were full of lingering pub lunches, drunken hazes, heavenly lie-ins, compelling conversation and sedentary sessions on the sofa (glossy supplement in one hand, a large rioja in the other).

Being one of those unsporty, creature-comfort-loving types who prefers lounges to lunges, my two days off were not about strenuous exercise. Excursions were off the agenda – well, despite the odd ramble through a field, ideally in the sunshine and with a pub in sight. And, come Sunday evening, I’d feel rested and ready for the week ahead. How I miss those days!

Four years and two little boys later, I’ve been forced to change my lazy ways.

My typical Saturday now starts abruptly at around 6am with a raring-to-go four-year-old in my face screaming, ‘Wake up!’ Then, while I’m fumbling about in a daze, trying to fulfil my two-year-old’s endless demands of ‘More milk, Mumma!’ and ‘I want Ben and Holly, NOT Peppa Pig!’, my (always) enthusiastic husband will think up an action-packed ‘plan’ for the day ahead. And before I know it – or even have time to make my face remotely passable for public places – I’ve been bundled into the car along with my super-excited sprogs, ready for an adventure.

I have to admit, these boy-scout-like trips used to fill me with dread. I’d often make an excuse – food shop to do, ironing pile to get through – and leave my other half to it. But, after being coaxed into joining in, I’ve began to enjoy these family outings more than I could ever have imagined. What’s more, I’ve discovered an adventurous side in me that I never knew existed.

I’ve dabbled in dry skiing, had an embarrassing attempt at wall climbing, ruined my prized Ash trainers at a muddy monster-truck show, hung out at skateparks, bodyboarded badly in freezing sea, rowed on a lake whilst gripping onto a jumpy toddler and freaked-out dog, and whizzed down water slides at frightening speeds.

Yes, I’m left feeling shattered by Monday, but the precious time spent with all three of my boys (husband included) is so worth it. We’ve all had a laugh at my clumsiness, shed tears over nasty tumbles, mended scraped knees and shared an under-umbrella group hug during one ice-cold torrential downpour.

It’s made us all closer and filled our sons’ little heads with the kind of memories that make childhood that bit more special.

So, instead of sinking into my armchair this Saturday afternoon – with a glass of vino, a big slab of Green & Black’s (burnt toffee) and the Real Housewives of Orange County on TV – you’re more likely to find me dangling haphazardly from a tree. Bring it on!

Motherhood is different for all of us… if you’d like to share your thoughts, why not join our Network & start posting?

Did you enjoy this post? If so please support the writer: like, share and comment!


Why not join the SM CLUB, too? You can share posts & events immediately. It's free!

Fiona Pennell lives in the Cotswolds with her husband and their two boys, Jack, 6, and Otto, 4. A former YOU magazine sub-editor, Fiona now spends her days being trampled on, going on slug hunts and dreaming of lie-ins. (Twitter: @fiona_pennell)

Post Tags


Keep up to date with Selfish Mother — Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media