I'm feeliing lazy and guilty and kind of down

[mamazee]

With a toddler in the house, I was having a bit of trouble keepings tidy on my own, and was having dh and my older dd do housework too. Dh didn't like it because his job requires him to work a ton of hours, but acknowledged there was too much for me to do alone, so we hired a housekeeper. So now I suddenly have very little work around the house. I cook and clean up afterward, I do grocery shopping, I do laundry and wash linens, and just straighten up. I don't have to do anything else. I should appreciate how easy things are now, but I have this puritan work ethic mentality and I feel like I should be doing more. I don't know if I want support or ideas about other ways I can be useful or what. I need to feel like I'm doing more. I'm not sure what. I'm not very handy so crafts aren't a good fit for me, though I wish I were good at that kind of thing.

[LynnolaS]

No ideas except to enjoy it! Is there anything you've been wanting to do for you that you've had to put on the back burner for awhile? Reading books, a hobby, etc.? It sounds like you already do plenty for others! As mamas guilt usually comes all too easily, so I understand where you're coming from, but I'd say really enjoy the extra time!

[tincia]

I agree, enjoy it! Is there anything you've been wanting time to do, refinish a piece of furniture, repaint a room (oops sorry, that's MY to-do list lol) take the children to story time at the library etc

[Snapdragon]

Enjoy it! Even if you do nothing but rest, you are still raising a child which is a ton of work- so try to enjoy your rest when you get it. I think our society has an ethic that makes people feel they have to always be busy- but there is grace is resting, relaxing and doing nothing, in my opinion.

[Chicky2]

Spend some time learning old-time skills like canning!  I don't have to do alot around the house as far as cleaning anymore (adult dd does a bunch for her rent, and the other kids have their daily chores), but there's always lots of cooking/canning/gardening, etc. to do!  Esp. as the kids get older and eat so.much.more now.  ENJOY

[MrsBone]

cook! Learn to do some pioneer woman type stuff. That's my passion and I wish I had more time for it, but with a toddler, a 5 month old, and no housekeeper, that doesn't allow for a ton of time! :) I make my own mayonnaise, tomato sauce, taco seasoning, pickles, pickled beets, salad dressings, I use a lot of my week cooking. Not as much as I'd like, but quite a bit. Oh, and baby food. Just started that. Anyway, cooking is fun and it can help you feed your family healthy! :)