More school holidays...??

THE days I've been dreading have finally caught up with me.

I've now put in a fair few weeks of full time work and then the schools go and break up for two week's holiday. ARRGH. I need my mum. And and my mother-in-law. And other friends and family who usually rally together to help us out with free childcare.

But a week in and we've lived to tell the tale. Sharing the kid-cover responsibilities has been a four-fold combination of newbie friends, well-trusted neighbours, official childcare and holiday leave.

I haven't worked long enough to accrue any annual leave yet so I worked all through the holidays, just dropping the boys off at their designated daily destinations each morning. I never usually felt bad about working through the school breaks but this time, however, I've had pangs of guilt. They've been sent to all parts of the peninsula and have had a great time being spoilt rotten by our newfound carers but I'm always humbled by the efforts of everyone else when it comes to me and my workplace commitments.

I've always worked a full week (some former colleagues may disagree with that!) but really feel, without my UK network, that part time hours would be a much more acceptable option. I am finding full time a bit of struggle and spend the weekends catching up on housework and laundry but I don't mind it too much now because it's winter.

Come the summer, the laundry won't get a look in as I intend to spend my daylight hours on the beach with my boys, watching them kayak their way around Fisherman's Beach and playing cricket on the sand 'til the sun sets. Times like that are priceless and don't last forever and quite simply, I won't allow myself to miss them. Even if it does mean the breakfast dishes remain in the kitchen sink at dinner time and the ironing basket continues to be an overflowing one.

Mum...? You got your airline ticket booked yet?? I need you...!