How am I going to cope?!

[moggssue]

Hi Sweetcorn. I work full time too (tho not as stressful a job as yours, I'm in an office sat behind a computer most of the time), have a couple of other hobbies (things like cross stitch though, that I can do when its dark or raining), am a (very) part time stepmum to OH two teenagers, have had a motorhome for a couple of months now to spend weekends away seeing a bit more of the country I live in, and am totally addicted to gardening

I dont stress it though, do it because I want to and because I enjoy it so much. Its a practical hobby as well don't forget - getting you out into all that fresh air, giving you exercise with digging and hoeing, and providing fresh, natural veggies to eat. What could be a better hobby? Just do it when you can, and when you want to, if you can't get to it for a few days or weeks then so be it. The most important thing is to enjoy.

[duggie]

Hi Sweetcorn. I work full time too, with 3 teenagers and a rather undomesticated OH Fitting everything in can be rather stressful but I've found the complete sense of peace when pottering around the allotment makes it all worthwhile

I think you just have to sit back and ask yourself if it is really so bad that the house is a little untidy and that theres only time for beans on toast tonight?

[Flummery]

I'm retired and the house is STILL untidy. I can live with it. It's your own priorities that count.

[cottage garden]

I quite agree Flummery.

[Waffler]

Some inspiring answers, folks. Feel much more confident that I will be OK now. Vegmonkey, I am just 3.5 miles from Chipping Campden, so know exactly where you mean, and yes it's a helluva long way to drive every day!

Waffler, I may just take you up on the PM offer - some days I feel very nervous and anxious about how I'm going to manage after such a long break from the heavy schedule of primary teaching. Mine are indeed going to be ankle biters too - Year ones!

This weekend has been fab for getting to grips with stuff tho', hasn't it? I've got so much done, and really enjoyed it. It is great therapy - you forget all your worries when you're busy on the veg patch. We're eating some home grown Cavelo Nero, carrots (the tiniest in history, I think!) and leeks tonight, and it's v. satisfying to know they've come from the garden and we only moved in last April.

Two Sheds, I think you're right about timetabling some time in - the thing is there are lots of other things I do too, and if I don't get disciplined with my times, it'll all go to pot!

Ooh! Mine are mixed reception and year 1s: we can compare notes!!

Good luck with it all! You'll be fine though!

[bobleponge]

Sweetcorn I work full time, weeeell sort of. I work away for 4 weeks and then am home for 4 weeks. The Boss has no interest in the garden, apart from eating all the lovely fresh stuff.
It somehow gets done, it helps that I dont have an allotment, my plot is in my garden its true, but if you want it done, it gets done.
Dont sweat it, dont beat yourself up, just accept that sometimes the drudgery we call work will interfere with our real lives.
Thoroughly agree with Hans' mum. Really clears the mind, and relaxes me after the stress of my work. Most of all, just enjoy whatever time you do get down there

[Shortie]

Hi Sweetcorn, you'll find your own routine again, don't worry. I'm about to go back to work full time after 7 months maternity leave. I've been spending yesterday, today and tomorrow getting the house / meal planner sorted, buying work clothes and getting my routine sorted for getting the boys out of the house in one piece!!

The lottie and grdne will have to wait until the weekend as when I left before having bubs 2, I was leaving the house at 7.30am and getting back after 7.30pm so no time for gardening during the week

[Vegmonkey]

Wow, so where do you work? maybe we have crossed paths?

[petal]

Sweetcorn, where there is a will there is a way. I commute 3 hours total daily to london, work as a teacher (11-18 so exams...and many late nights) have 2 children, they have a pony, dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pigs and we have a large allotment! I mulch the allotment with pony manure!, grow stuff through plastic and use kids/ husband as slave labour.. only kidding -they love the allotment. The trick to getting men motivated is to say ' goodness, what good exercise, think how much the gym would cost..., and give the kids their own plot(secretly weed it) and bug hunter kits with magnifying glasses.

[sweetcorn]

Wow Petal, you sound like superwoman! I wish my OH was interested, but he's not and our kids have grown up and left home now (although one is back - temporarily). I have just done 2 days, Thursday and Friday, and I've got most stuff ready and going. I spent all yesterday morning pottering about, and really enjoyed the relaxation side of it. So fingers crossed.

Vegmonkey - sorry I didn't respond to your question - although I'm living N Cotswolds (Nr Chipping Campden) I work in Warwickshire, so unfortunately I don't think we've crossed paths! But maybe I'll bump into you in Campden one of these days - perhaps we should wear sprigs of cabbage in our lapels or something!