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baby monitor for two kids image
horsin1787
I'm a stay at home momma to two wonder kids, but I really miss riding. Just wondering how other horsey moms do it.
Answer
It is not easy to juggle ;-) I have 4 girls, they are 7yo twins, 5yo and 3yo.
I found it particularly hard to get back into riding after my twins. I was fine for the initial 3 months and bought a new dressage horse and was even back having lessons.
Unfortunately one had a brain haemorrhage and I was not able to ride for virtually 2 years. We live on our own large property and my horses are at home with me. However I have no family support near by (we are in a rural area) or anyone that can watch my children for me to ride.
Once I had made my decision to get back in the saddle on a regular basis, I needed to find a way to make it work without inconveniencing my husband too much as he is busy on the farm.
I took one of the paddocks right beside my house and turned it into an arena. This way I was close enough to the house that the baby monitor worked. I have one with a LCD screen and sound, so I never missed anything and could literally get off the horse and into the house in the time it would take someone to get up the stairs. A 2 hour nap was plenty of time to ride.
I built a child proof pool fence play area between my house and arena. I could watch them play while I was riding and they could sit there if they wished and watch me riding. A great way to desensitize a horse to trampolines and other child noises ;-)
As the girls got older it certainly got easier when they were going to school. Although I still have one at home during the day, one child is easier for hubby to take in the tractor or for me to arrange to ride on days he is doing work he can have a toddler with him in safety.
I'm counting down to next year because she will be in preschool and I will be able to have regular set lesson days (unless kids are sick).
~ My main way of being out with the horses with only one child (way too hard with twins) is to get the 3yo involved also. If I'm leading horses I throw her on top of the quietest one (with a helmet), she comes with me to rug and unrug twice a day and when my older girls are riding I put her on the Shetland so she is apart of the action also.
You have not said how old your children are? If they are older then get some lessons for them also, it is lovely to ride with your children. If they are younger and you don't have someone to mind them, then leave them in the pram at the gate. I spent many hours at the gate of the dressage arena while my mum was riding.
My mum rode with all 3 of us kids and never missed a beat in competition (eventing). Dad was a truck driver so he did not mind us much. She either had us in the pram at the gate or on the front of the saddle with quieter horses. We were all 5 years apart, so she got one child off to school and then had the next one arrive ;-)
If your riding at a lesson school, I would seriously ask the people if they had someone available to watch your children while you had a 30 minute lesson. You pay the staff member for their time, it should only be their hourly wage and would not be much. Any smart business person would do this on a fortnightly or monthly basis until your kids are at school. They get business and have not lost money if you have paid the staff member. Worth a shot!
If you don't have support and are riding at a place that wont allow you to have the child on site. Don't forget about community based programs for child care. There are a few around that will offer parents respite care for people with multiple children, children with disabilities or single parents. I don't know if any of those fit your situation, but it is worth looking what is available in your area.
Last but not least, ask hubby for some "me" time. I'm happier when I'm physically active and riding. It keeps me strong physically and mentally. The benefits run right through the family home when your feeling good about yourself and fulfilled.
Good luck ;-)
It is not easy to juggle ;-) I have 4 girls, they are 7yo twins, 5yo and 3yo.
I found it particularly hard to get back into riding after my twins. I was fine for the initial 3 months and bought a new dressage horse and was even back having lessons.
Unfortunately one had a brain haemorrhage and I was not able to ride for virtually 2 years. We live on our own large property and my horses are at home with me. However I have no family support near by (we are in a rural area) or anyone that can watch my children for me to ride.
Once I had made my decision to get back in the saddle on a regular basis, I needed to find a way to make it work without inconveniencing my husband too much as he is busy on the farm.
I took one of the paddocks right beside my house and turned it into an arena. This way I was close enough to the house that the baby monitor worked. I have one with a LCD screen and sound, so I never missed anything and could literally get off the horse and into the house in the time it would take someone to get up the stairs. A 2 hour nap was plenty of time to ride.
I built a child proof pool fence play area between my house and arena. I could watch them play while I was riding and they could sit there if they wished and watch me riding. A great way to desensitize a horse to trampolines and other child noises ;-)
As the girls got older it certainly got easier when they were going to school. Although I still have one at home during the day, one child is easier for hubby to take in the tractor or for me to arrange to ride on days he is doing work he can have a toddler with him in safety.
I'm counting down to next year because she will be in preschool and I will be able to have regular set lesson days (unless kids are sick).
~ My main way of being out with the horses with only one child (way too hard with twins) is to get the 3yo involved also. If I'm leading horses I throw her on top of the quietest one (with a helmet), she comes with me to rug and unrug twice a day and when my older girls are riding I put her on the Shetland so she is apart of the action also.
You have not said how old your children are? If they are older then get some lessons for them also, it is lovely to ride with your children. If they are younger and you don't have someone to mind them, then leave them in the pram at the gate. I spent many hours at the gate of the dressage arena while my mum was riding.
My mum rode with all 3 of us kids and never missed a beat in competition (eventing). Dad was a truck driver so he did not mind us much. She either had us in the pram at the gate or on the front of the saddle with quieter horses. We were all 5 years apart, so she got one child off to school and then had the next one arrive ;-)
If your riding at a lesson school, I would seriously ask the people if they had someone available to watch your children while you had a 30 minute lesson. You pay the staff member for their time, it should only be their hourly wage and would not be much. Any smart business person would do this on a fortnightly or monthly basis until your kids are at school. They get business and have not lost money if you have paid the staff member. Worth a shot!
If you don't have support and are riding at a place that wont allow you to have the child on site. Don't forget about community based programs for child care. There are a few around that will offer parents respite care for people with multiple children, children with disabilities or single parents. I don't know if any of those fit your situation, but it is worth looking what is available in your area.
Last but not least, ask hubby for some "me" time. I'm happier when I'm physically active and riding. It keeps me strong physically and mentally. The benefits run right through the family home when your feeling good about yourself and fulfilled.
Good luck ;-)
How much is too much for a baby monitor?
mizzms
I bought a baby monitor off of ebay yesterday for $14 that retails at $75. My husband had a fit because he wants a video baby monitor...infact..the one he wants is just shy of $200....Don't you think this is too much for a baby monitor? Most people will only use it once..maybe twice..
need i also say..that our baby is never out of our sight really? He sleeps in our room..we have him sleep in a cradle downstairs until we go to bed...we only got one just in case we ever need to use it..
Answer
I don't think the video monitor is necessary. i wouldn't spend more than 40 bucks on my monitor. I hardly used it and I ahve two kids. Its almost like people buying that sterilization thing for baby bottles....????? Whats wrong with a pot of boiling water? Works just as well and its a heck of a lot easier on the wallet
I don't think the video monitor is necessary. i wouldn't spend more than 40 bucks on my monitor. I hardly used it and I ahve two kids. Its almost like people buying that sterilization thing for baby bottles....????? Whats wrong with a pot of boiling water? Works just as well and its a heck of a lot easier on the wallet
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