people with little kids & a job.....

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racingdemon

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realistically how much competing do you get done? mine are 1 & 2, and i'm going to take my lovely horse BE this season, after a bit of a competition break since before they were born, i'm not sure how realistic to be, this horse has never done BE but is the business of a hunter, so i'm vaguely confident! need to have a bit of a surge of prep in the next month, XC schooling etc, and trying to work out how I fit it all in, along with all the non horse weekend things we have on!
 
I really struggle, but last year managed to get out quite a few weekends. I think it depends on your circumstances. My two kids are both quite high maintenance, though (one is autistic the other has severe food allergies) so I can't leave them with anyone and we don't have family near, plus OH works 1/4 weekends on call. I think it gets easier as they get older. I find I have to be super organised and book things ahead (we have a booking calendar in the house). It also helps if you can get the kids interested in the horses, but yours are probably too young yet!
 
thanks, yes, i have to be mega organised, & plan miles ahead, which doesn't always suit me as i like being spontenous!! they are thankfully pony mad, and the 2yo thinks going out in the lorry is the most excitng thing in the world, which works well, although he's always very upset he can't drive!
 
thanks for that, yes, being organised miles ahead seems to be the key! thankfully both mine seem to be pretty pony keen, and the 2yo loves going out in the lorry, although is less impressed he can't drive it!
 
It depends how much help you get with the kids and horses.

I think it gets harder in a way as the kids get older as they have so much on and then they want to ride and go to PC, I'm lucky if I can get to hack out once or twice a week iesp in the winter.

I still think it's worth trying to make it work and to keep following your own dreams though, just need to find a way of making it work
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I currently have my horse on assisted livery and take each day as it comes,i do go down most evenings and all day during saturday and sunday,just so she knows im still around,lol.i have a toddler just coming up 2 years old,i must admit my partner is very understanding and so are my parents who do have him regulary over the weekend.i used to do D.I.Y,but now im a parent i definetly dont have as much time.
 
I got out with Meg TWICE last year, partly because of the expense but also the kids. H rides and does mini PC things, so we did go to a few shows - LR style. This year will be much the same. They are at the age where riding is fun, so they do come first. I will compete Meg again in the future - plenty of years left!!
 
I've given up riding whilst the kids ride (one competes BSJA and the other is just coming off lead rein) and go to PC/shows. Plus I have a full time job and a livery yard to run and having a horse of my own was just a stress. I do have lots of horse contact though so it's just the riding I don't do and at the moment I actually don't miss it as I know they will grow up and now is their time.
 
mmmm....try very hard to get out once a month, husband training for marathon (very thoughtless I thought!!lol) o we have to balance it all. I have a 4 year old and a job> he works 2 weekends out of 5 o definitely a balancing act. Am lucky I can do training while she is a nursery, but when younger just used to wheel her in pram and leave her in school while riding around her!! she is old enough to sit and watch sometimes now if I am very desperate for time, but yes, it is hard x
 
I have my horse on DIY livery at present and have a 1 1/2 y.o daughter. I am determined to get back into riding and thinking of trying part assisted livery. Hoping that only having to visit once a day I can make it a bit more "me" time and get back into riding properly. Hubby is very understanding but find I feel guilty for not spending time with daughter and then guilty for not spending time with horsey! Does it get any easier?
 
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