Ahhhhhhh.......this mommy wants to scream!!!

[NMAriel]

Ok every parent out there probably understands this. If YOU are doing nothing, then the kids play quietly by themselves and you never see or hear them. But once YOU start doing something (even if they are in another room and don't know it) THEY will come out and bugg you to distraction. EVERY time I make soap they come out of their play room and start wanting something to eat, drink, can I call so & so, or they start to fight in the kitchen with you, etc, etc, etc,..... :x

Once again (this is the second time I've tried a technique) they have interrupted me. Everything is fine and dandy until the lye mixture and oils are at light trace and you have to move fast to separate the soap into two bowls, etc. I'm TRYING to make real dark chocolate swirls in my white clay soap, and they always distract me. And this time, just like the first time, the chocolate mixture siezed up when I was pouring it and making swirls. So now, once again, I have CLUMPS of chocolate soap in my clay soap, and not swirls. Oh I could just scream....again.

I know, I know. The soap's just for me, but I'd like to use pretty soap too. Plus, I want the feeling of winning over this and doing to right, and producing something pretty to give as presents.

Thanks for the vent. I'll post photo's when their cut.

 

[Jody]

Well, I see kids are the same all over the world. LOL. I like to tease people now and chant "mine are all grown up and gone". Still will never forget those days though. Couldn't even go to the bathroom for five minutes without them pounding on the door.

 

[Deda]

I read about soapmaking, every book in the world, for over a year! Waited until all the kids were older, 1 out of college, 1 in basic training and the baby in Middle School. Then I was sure I wouldn't be interrupted in the middle of soapmaking. I do not like to be interrupted.

 

[NMAriel]

chant "mine are all grown up and gone". Still will never forget those days though. Couldn't even go to the bathroom for five minutes without them pounding on the door.

OMG, that made me laugh. Thank you.

Mine don't pound on the door, they just walk in and start talking. Or better yet, if they are fighting, they bring it to me in the bathroom or shower. I mean, my mouth is open in shock and I'm pointing at the door and they still stand there.... :shock:

 

[NMAriel]

I read about soapmaking, every book in the world, for over a year! Waited until all the kids were older,

Oh Deda you are so lucky. I'd have to wait at least 9 yrs for the little one to be in middle school.

And the irritating thing is once they did that, they've been outside playing. Haven't seen or heard of them.......well... I can see them through the window playing in the yard about 300 ft away.

I call it a Drive-by. They swoop down, cause Confusion and Delay (as Thomas the Train says), and run off to play.

 

[Jnice999]

I haven't even started making soap yet but I am thinking 2am might be a good time to make soap.

 

[Healinya]

How old are the kids? Maybe get them some playdough and a few plastic molds and have them make 'soap' with you, but away from the chemicals? A contest on who can make the most, keep them at the kiddie table lol. I have no kids, but I swear it never fails... my dog can tell when my temps are exatly 105 - and must go outside immediately.

 

[AshleyR]

I don't have kids yet, but I have a 7 month old golden retriever puppy who is just as bad! Any time we make a noise when she's passed out, she jumps up and immediately wants to be included in what's going on. Sometimes I think she is WORSE than a kid!

 

[mamaT]

My daughter is 20 now so she's not a problem but my 4 legged babies are another story. When ever I go near the kitchen they are right there to see what mama is cooking.

 

[NMAriel]

They're 6yrs old and 9yrs old. The oldest is mildly austic with PDD and severely ADHD. So sitting quietly is very hard for him, unless he's hyperfocusing and you cannot force or make that happen. It just happens when did does. Usually when the house doesn't need him so focused and quiet. When I do, he's right in my face talking non-stop, fiddling with things, fighting with his little brother, picking on the dogs or cat, pestering me to no end....sigh, it is tiring but I've gotten use to it and manage it except when something as vital as soap reaction timing. That's why I quietly gather ALL my stuff and wait until they are TOTALLY engrossed in a video game or outside playing in the yard (which I can see from the kitchen window) since I stand at the sink making the soap. I've gotten pretty good at this timing, and have made alot of soap this way. But I'm telling you this choc/clay soap is something they have ESP about and interrupt me. Oh and the dogs know to not be in the kitchen.

 

[carebear]

I have my 9 year old trained (no attention issues which helps of course). All I have to do is say "mommy is making soap" and he does a silent about-face and siftly gone.

My 6 year old seems to think the world (and I) revolves around her so I have to raise my voice with a bit of urgency - but she too will disappear, tho in a pout.

Definately need to have all your ducks in a row before you start - esp with the kids around I can't take a chance in turning your back on caustic stuff like raw soap even for a sec to grab something out of the cupboard.

Even now I do most of my soaping after bedtime - it's just simpler that way.

 

[MikeInPdx]

I have four "canine kids" that are totally self-entertaining....until I start soaping.

I don't have kids, but, in my own way, I feel your pain!

 

[Jody]

I was laughing that my kids are gone but I do have a kitten that is into everything!!!! I can't turn by back for a second with my lye and have to cure my soap in a room she can't get into.

 

[Cattleyabubbles]

They're 6yrs old and 9yrs old. The oldest is mildly austic with PDD and severely ADHD. So sitting quietly is very hard for him, unless he's hyperfocusing and you cannot force or make that happen. It just happens when did does. Usually when the house doesn't need him so focused and quiet. When I do, he's right in my face talking non-stop, fiddling with things, fighting with his little brother, picking on the dogs or cat, pestering me to no end....sigh, it is tiring but I've gotten use to it and manage it except when something as vital as soap reaction timing. That's why I quietly gather ALL my stuff and wait until they are TOTALLY engrossed in a video game or outside playing in the yard (which I can see from the kitchen window) since I stand at the sink making the soap. I've gotten pretty good at this timing, and have made alot of soap this way. But I'm telling you this choc/clay soap is something they have ESP about and interrupt me. Oh and the dogs know to not be in the kitchen.

I can relate with you on kid w/ autism, I had to wait til mines was in the bed & actually asleep before I started soaping in the kitchen in the early hours 12am-1am or do it while he's away in school for the next batch...

 

[topcat]

My darlings are 17, 15 & 13 and I usually soap while they are at school. Because it is summer hols here and as I don't need to supervise them around me, I just warn them I am mixing lye and if they breath it in they will burn. Comments I get are, like - "Can we hold our breath and come in?". I say "sure, just realised that I talk 'soap' non-stop while I am making it...."

For some reason they never come near me for at least another hour.....? :wink:

Tanya

 

[ChrissyB]

My littlest is 2, so I have to time my soap making as well. I haven't done as much as I would like to while my other kids have been on holidays. I have been the taxi service mum these holidays, so it seems just when I start doing something, I get a phone call to go and pick someone up from somewhere....I should start charging for that, but then again all the money they have is what they get from me, so maybe I should just pay myself...!!!
I have gotten into a bit of a routine where I mix my lye, leave that, have dinner,clean up, prepare oils, let them cool, then soap. And so far that has worked because it is a bit cooler when it's late, as opposed to smack in the middle of the day when it is too tooo stinking hot!!!

 

[starduster]

Maybe some help?

I know that money is tight but it seems to me it might help you to be able to have a little time out and if you could somehow get someone in to care for them for 3 hours once a week to start with so you can soap make.Either in your home or theirs.
If you couldn't pay them surely there is some one out there who would take some soap in exchange that they could give for presents. Then they too are saving $$$.
I worked in my own buisnesses when my 3 son's were at the wild adventures stage .I paid some one so I could do a little study at times.
Moms need special time too.
Times have dramatically changed finance wise and I think more people are open to bartering.
All the best at finding a workable solution.
Mary
PS: With a diagnosed Autistic and HADD child surely there is some goverment dissability funding or some local church (not nessessarily one you attend)

 

[beachgurl]

This may sound disturbed, but I showed my kids pictures of what lye could do to your body. They want no parts of it.

 

[NMAriel]

I've been trying to get Respite care for years, and then rules are so tight that I couldn't qualify. Then his doctors and therapist put us in for it, and now funding is so low that there's no one to give it to us. It's completely maddening. I also have no family in 1600 miles, and friends just can't handle them (I've tried that too). That's why I've just done everything myself. However, you're right, I have no time alone.

But I'm trying to stay positive for this weekend, cuz I'm anticipating my new TOG mold to arrive today.:wink: I've already thought of something I want to try, and I'm praying that they will stay out of the kitchen...

 

[dagmar88]

I have no time alone.

That's no good girl! You NEED time for yourself.
I lived in a youthcare group for over a year with 4 ADHD 16-17 year old boys They'd always romp around, bounce around the whole house, fight with eachother :wink: total chaos.
Then when one of 4 woud be out of the house I suddenly felt it was so quiet and I'd really miss him. sometimes they drive you crazy but at the same time they are so enthousiastic, spontanious and honest you just can't do without them...