Hit the wall
Last night I had an epiphany. No no, that implies it was instantaneous. Really it's been building. I know that many people, every day, everywhere, raise children with no help. Sometimes as single parents. And they struggle, and they stress, and they make it work. WE are making it work. But I've decided to make it work with a little bit less stress :) I'm going to do what all educated, employed people do when things get uncomfortable... I'm going to throw some money at the problem!
Here's the problem, exactly: I feel like I work until 5 or 6, then come home and work some more trying to be a good parent until Brynna goes to bed, then work some more cleaning up the house in time to do it all again the next day. Then I feel like it's work trying to fit in fun things between the other 3 things, so that I don't categorize myself as a "married, boring mommy". But the whole reason I continue to work full time is a) mental challenge/stimulation (which is hard to achieve when you're constantly stressed) and b) to make life easier for us. The solution? A maid every other week, and paying someone to wash and fold my laundry. Grand tally: $300/month. Basically the money I save by not owning a car. (Freakin' Boston - maids charge $75/session which is about an hour to an hour and a half. I don't even make that much money per hour!!!) Laundry is $1/lb. I'll let you know tomorrow how much 1 week's worth of laundry weighs. :) Hahahaha! I mean, I'll still do the easy loads, like towels. Those take no time to wash and fold and put away :)
I'm pretty happy with myself right now :P
*****************UPDATE*****************
I had a very fortuitous moment today where I happened to come home right as my landlord's cleaning lady was leaving. I didn't even know they had one! Needless to say, I told her I was in the market and asked for a quote... $45! Sweet. I just knocked down my monthly estimate to $200 for laundry and cleaning. So excited. Not to mention that I got the oil changed and the car inspected early this morning. Matt Shea would be helpless without me. :P
Here's the problem, exactly: I feel like I work until 5 or 6, then come home and work some more trying to be a good parent until Brynna goes to bed, then work some more cleaning up the house in time to do it all again the next day. Then I feel like it's work trying to fit in fun things between the other 3 things, so that I don't categorize myself as a "married, boring mommy". But the whole reason I continue to work full time is a) mental challenge/stimulation (which is hard to achieve when you're constantly stressed) and b) to make life easier for us. The solution? A maid every other week, and paying someone to wash and fold my laundry. Grand tally: $300/month. Basically the money I save by not owning a car. (Freakin' Boston - maids charge $75/session which is about an hour to an hour and a half. I don't even make that much money per hour!!!) Laundry is $1/lb. I'll let you know tomorrow how much 1 week's worth of laundry weighs. :) Hahahaha! I mean, I'll still do the easy loads, like towels. Those take no time to wash and fold and put away :)
I'm pretty happy with myself right now :P
*****************UPDATE*****************
I had a very fortuitous moment today where I happened to come home right as my landlord's cleaning lady was leaving. I didn't even know they had one! Needless to say, I told her I was in the market and asked for a quote... $45! Sweet. I just knocked down my monthly estimate to $200 for laundry and cleaning. So excited. Not to mention that I got the oil changed and the car inspected early this morning. Matt Shea would be helpless without me. :P
Well done! There aren't nearly enough hours in the day. :)
ReplyDeletei just love you. despite the fact you raz me about the bills.
ReplyDelete~ Cati