I am new to piece quilting and am loving it! I had a goal a year ago to make a quilt for the back of the couch for each holiday/season. Of course I have almost all the fabric bought and even some cut out. I got my Valentine one done but it is a lap sized quilt. I had a ball making it!
Then life hit and I didn't get the chance to do much. I have a dedicated room but I also have 4 boys 12 and under. They require a lot of time. I was selfish for a week or two and got my Halloween top and back finished and ready to attempt machine quilting it myself, but that is where it stopped. I didn't get to finish it for this year. I had intentions of asking my MIL quilt it for me on her long arm but that got kibashed when they left our house upset at a few things. Not sure she would do it for me.
I know there is always next year, but that quilt represents a lot more to me. I am proud of it and I want to see it through to the end!
What do you do when you become too busy to get to do what you want to for fun? I have tried thinking of some handwork to take when waiting for kids to get out of school. I would love to hear your ideas!! I love this message board and I come here to dream about getting so many things done. You women are amazing!! Thanks for your inspiration!

Hand work is always a good idea. Grandmothers flower garden is a favorite of many. Try to give yourself time, even if its only 20 minutes twice a week to work on a project you want to finish. I know it probably feels overwhelming at times with family responsibilities, but if you make time for you, even a small amount here or there, not only will you feel good about your "ME" time,but you will feel less stressed. If you just cant manage to set aside time for yourself, then I highly recommend hand piecing since its mobile. Enjoy those kids, they sure grow fast!!!

Hi, talked with you in chat, I have three boys and one girl. All three boys are under 11. So I have an idea what you are going thru. I get most of my stuff done when they are in bed. That is my time, which is about an hour or two , more if I'm on a roll.Just keep plugging along a little at a time, I try to tell myself .. better than, not at all!Everyone tells me don't sweat the small stuff and enjoy your time, they grow up so fast. Wishing you productive sewing, :thumbup:

I concur with the other angels, take some Me Time, and enjoy the kids too. I had five kids in 9 years, they are from 48 to 57 now and you wont believe how fast time flies. They grow up in spite of all you do. LOL
But be sure to preserve yourself in the midst of all the kid nurturing, because a mommy who loves herself and takes time for herself is a mommy that is more apt to be less stressed out, calmer and more joyful. Bess you and your happy family.
:lol:

Very well said nana!

When my four kids were all young, and I at the age of 31 had a nervous breakdown, my doctors asked me, "what do you do for yourself"?, I couldn't give them an answer. Even sewing, which I loved doing, was because I had to get clothing made for my daughter for school. I made all her clothing and mine. The doctors advice, take the time to sit and do something just for myself everyday, to heck with everything else that needs to be done. That was one of the hardest things I had to learn to do! But, I worked at it, and boy, did it make a difference in how this house looked at times, or what meals got onto the table.LOL But we all survived those days, and it made such a difference to my health. I was a stay at home mom, and I thought I had to be the perfect wife, mom, and homemaker. That is just plain BS!!

All those things your kids need you for make it on the calendar. Dentist, doctor, football, karate, etc. etc. etc. Put sewing time on the calendar, too.

Also, don't forget boys need to learn to cook and clean, too. Assign age appropriate jobs you can oversee from the sewing room. Some day your daughters-in-law will thank you.

I'm with others -- "me time" makes you a better, more relaxed mother. It also teaches the children that YOU have rights, too. It will make you more interesting for your kids, your spouse and your friends. Children WILL survive without mom taking care of them 24/7. But also know, that you have a long life ahead of you...it may take you a coupla years to get done what you want done....you'll have time.........RELAX!

I have 5 sons and 1 daughter. I understand the demands many children can make. I tell them there are 6 of you, 7 if you count Dad, and there is only one of me. You need to help. Even when they were little there were jobs they could do. They are now very independent and do things without my asking. They are not saints and still demand my time, but they know Mom needs time to herself too.

Bad English but accurate:

If Momma ain't Happy, ain't nobody Happy!

Yeah, it's really hard. But looking back, the older they get the faster the time goes. I'd go with the idea of getting in a little me time when they go to bed. Now that my kids are grown I make a lot of me time -- my sewing time! That is my sanity! (Yes and my 2 are still living at home, 22 and 26 -- too long a story to get into here!)

Im a stay at home mom with three kids, who I homeschool, a pain in the rear husky who will trash my house the first chance he gets, an aging MIL who despises me but yet Im left to be her caregiver, with a husband who works out of state for 7-9 months a year. I would go crazy without my "me time". Im new to quilting and Im having a hard time finding the time to machine quilt them. I have discovered that dinner made in crock pots gives me loads of free sewing time. Finish your halloween throw on our own time and if its in April, dress the kids up buy some candy and pretend its halloween. Im great at celebrating my own holidays.