Parents of school children- fitting it all in

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ellis9905

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So now the kids are back at school the pressures on to fit all the school activities in plus daughters riding :(

We had a lovely summer where my daughter rode almost everyday ( my work hours are less in school holidays )

I'm just wondering how you working mums juggle it all? The nights drawing in are starting to depress... My daughter and pony made huge progress thru this summer and she's very keen to continue... But with work and other commitments plus a non horsey son and hubby she's only managing to ride 3 times a week...and as 4 days a week I work til 6pm this will become a challenge as the dark evenings approach..

So how do other mums fit it all in.. Do you children slacken the pace a little over winter?? ( pony still gets exercised almost daily - lunged/ adult rider schooled/ or walked out)

I miss summer!! Moan over!
 
I'm a teaching assistant and have a daughter at school too. In the winter ponies get let down and enjoy being fluffy and muddy. There just isn't enough time to fit everything in daylight hours! Ponies don't mind and we enjoy grooming at night and walking out at weekends. The winter is long enough without making it more stressful than it needs to be, embrace sitting by the fire and hot chocolate filled nights :)
 
Just chill. as long as pony is cared for not being ridden in week wont hurt. makes the weekends even more special :) dont try and be super human. if you have a free evening then ride if you dont hell so what. and spring is round the corner . ever the optimist x
 
Second all the above.

I used to write December off, having scaled down through November. I then aimed to get pony ridden at weekends and one week night if weather was ok in January.

Unless you are keen to compete all through the winter I think a month off and a month at half speed does everyone good. Pony and child come back keener than ever in the spring as haven't been put off by frostbite :).
 
I agree, my daughter rides a lot in the summer but when the nights draw in and then homework picks up we just don't have time to ride. I will lead pony out with me once a week and then she'll ride him at the weekend and that's fine for him. Ponies keep themselves fairly fit I find and unless your daughter is planning hunting hard or doing a lot of competing then weekend riding does just fine. I know my daughters pony certainly appreciates a few days off now, especially as she's discovered galloping!!!
 
only 5 weeks until half term! ( i work at a school!) and Christmas holidays as well so she wont have to stop riding completely in the week over winter.
 
I think we learned to let go a bit during winter. I started to do the pony before work and then after work on my own. It was easier to be done and dusted before going home to make tea, take kids to lessons, etc ... and having two kids doing different things it was a tad difficult at times. But, then if anyone wanted to go back and ride, we could go late without hurrying up.

In winter, most of the riding was left to the weekends. With lessons here and there whenever possible.

It helps to find someone else to help with turnout especially on your long days. And you can return the favour on your days off or weekends. I did pay another livery for helping me when needed. And found another one that her kids could ride in exchange of mucking out or turning.

The slow cooker on before going to work helped a lot, still does without horse duties :)

Hubby (when not working late) was recruited to help more with cooking and transport if he wanted to eat before bedtime ;) And he always did xmas day, my one day off! :D
 
LOL his cooking is very practical ...either Tesco finest or M&S a bit of a splurge as it is xmas dinner. But I don't care, at least I don't have to cook anything not even birthday cake ... and it is my birthday! :)
 
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