Human baby & DIY livery- possible?

[katiejemima]

I am 30 and 24 weeks with my first. I have been offered the most idyllic DIY setup on 10mins from my front door for my small pony. Am I being realistic to think that when baby arrives ill get to the yard once a day through the summer and twice come winter? I have a year off work and after so much time at home due to Covid going spare anyway, so see this as a real opportunity and positive step. I'm a very energetic person and the thought of being completely home bound terrifies me. Experience and kind opinions greatly welcomed - I am stuck!

 

[ponyparty]

You'll be fine while on mat leave. It may become a problem when you go back to work; but then again, if there's assistance available/your job is flexible you might well be ok. There just don't seem to be enough hours in the day when juggling work, horses and a young child.

However, having my horse to do every day was the only thing that kept me (vaguely) sane whilst on mat leave.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Yes you should manage ? four people on my yard have had small babies in the last year and we are pure DIY.

 

[Jango]

Honestly it depends how supportive the father of your child is, how your baby is. Some don't sleep, some won't be put down, some scream all the time. Others are much easier! I would just see how you get on when the baby arrives. A lot of my friends have felt very differently about horses post baby.

 

[Hackback]

I think the baby in a pram stage would be relatively easy compared to when they get mobile. I have no idea how people cope with an active toddler on a yard. I have heard of one lady who used to lock hers in the car ...

 

[Coblette]

I have a 7 month old and have managed fine but my horses are at home. I would say get some help arranged for the first month as after a caesarean I couldn’t do anything. Ponios have kept me sane after having a baby and I’ve been riding twice a week since about 8 weeks post baby. My buba loves coming out in the pram to see ponies but you will need a supportive partner/mum to help out quite often ie. to ride/ do field maintenance etc. Give it a go, I’d hate to think I would have no hobby post baby!!

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

I am 16 weeks off embarking on this journey!

OH knows the pony is non negotiable so he WILL help out. OH’s mum is also desperate for any baby time so plan is to drag her along so she can sit with baby whilst I ride and do jobs. Atm I am on proper diy but I will be moving to assisted (they turn out and bring in) so that I can just go down and do jobs/ride each day whenever suits baby nap times for the day!

I’ve never really thought about it not working because it will just have to. Pony isn’t going anywhere and neither is baby so they will just have to learn to get used to one another ?

 

[Accidental Eventer]

I'm a week closer to cooked than OBAC and my two live at my parents place 5 minutes away. it's going to work because it has to, their routine might change a bit, and I plan on simplifying it for myself as much as possible. Hubby will also do what needs to happen, he is very supportive and it will help that mum lives there! it will be the middle of winter for us which will pose some issues but we will all just have to get on with it!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Just leave the baby in his/her cot at home and leave him/her home alone while you go off riding.

*joke*

Except a posh former neighbour used to do just that...

Seriously, good luck with the forthcoming arrival. Mine are kept at home, but I still couldn't have managed without a supportive partner. He'd arrive home from work and I'd meet him in the front doorway carrying the tack on the way out to ride.

 

[julesjoy]

If dad is supportive and you don't mind a bit of screaming, then you'll be fine. Bonus that the yard is so close to your house.

 

[Widgeon]

I think the baby in a pram stage would be relatively easy compared to when they get mobile. I have no idea how people cope with an active toddler on a yard. I have heard of one lady who used to lock hers in the car ...

"Liking" because this is a good point, not because I particularly think that locking your offspring in a car is a brilliant plan. Although when I read the title of this thread I thought someone was looking for livery for a human baby, so clearly I don't have much of use to add....very best wishes though OP, I hope things go smoothly and you can enjoy a couple of nice rides every week in the sunshine while titch is otherwise occupied.

 

[mariew]

Echo make sure you have help on standby if you end up with a c section as it knocks you for six and you won't be able to do anything heavy for a few weeks. It's doable if the pony is safe. Use a pram/baby carrier. Once they can move around it's a different ballgame, I found it hard to relax or spend any quality time with my horse and she was on full livery! It would work better if you have relatives/oh you could leave the little person with on a regular basis.

Mine never did the sleep in the pram for more than 30 minutes for the first 18 months so I could never do the 'just leave her in a pram/car next to the school while you ride' thing.

 

[Lois Lame]

Like Tiddlypom's, my kids were kept at home. (Another joke.)

It's good to get in early with what your needs are. Supportive OHs are a must and a keen mother (granny) or mother-in-law would be terrific.

 

[windand rain]

As said it is relatively easy while tiny and with good support from someone either a family member or friend that likes kids. It is possible on your own strangely it was my granddaughter that came with me everywhere she was well equipt with warm clothing for winter and cotton long sleeves and long trousers for summer. She was extremely well behaved as she had to be. Learned her tantrums and whining got her nowhere fast. In fact when asked why she was so good her words age 2 were "grandma doesn't do whinging" and I don't. I was lucky in that she lived with me and although most will be horrified she had to do as she was told from 4 months old none of this baby first business in this house. I did have the advantage of having had my own by then of course and as they were very small together 3 in 4 years they didn't get too much pandering to either especially when dad was deployed overseas for 6 months

 

[Tarragon]

I am so sorry - my mind read your post subject as "Human baby - DIY delivery possible"!!!

 

[Littlebear]

If you aren't working then this should be no problem, its work/baby/diy that becomes really hard to juggle!

 

[julesjoy]

As long as they are fed, clean and burped (the human babies) then it is quite fine for them to be noisy in the pram whilst you do your jobs so you can keep an eye on them. They will scream anyway so don't feel guilty. When not directly handling the horse you could also put them in a sling. As for the toddlers, in the car with Iplayer if needed to be out of the way, otherwise they will love helping muck out and riding in the wheelbarrow.