Life can get so busy sometimes, can't it?
Between work, the children, school runs, appointments and everything else that comes with family life, it can feel as though there's barely a moment to stop and catch your breath.
Lately, I've found myself wanting to slow things down a little. Not because I don't enjoy our busy family life, because most of the time I really do, but sometimes I just wish there were a few more hours in the day to spend doing the things I love.
And, more importantly, spending quality time with the kids and hubby.
I've been reading about how traditional homemaking skills are making a comeback, with more people turning to things like baking, sewing, crafting and growing their own vegetables.
And I can completely understand why!
There's something lovely about stepping away from the everyday rush and enjoying the simple things at home.
The Reality of Juggling Work and Family Life
Today was a perfect example of just how hectic life can get.
It was my first day back at work after having a week off, and I was already dreading opening my emails!
As expected, my inbox was absolutely choc-a-bloc.
There were emails to catch up on, Skype meetings to attend and a few urgent work issues that needed sorting.
I work entirely from home, which I'm incredibly lucky to be able to do. It gives me the flexibility to organise my working day around the children, and I wouldn't change that.
Well, most of the time anyway!
The downside is knowing when to switch off.
When your office is at home, it's all too easy to keep checking emails or squeezing in one more little job when you should really be calling it a day.
And, of course, work isn't the only thing that needs doing.
Alongside everything else today, there were the usual school and nursery runs, a hospital appointment for my eldest to have a blood test, swimming lessons for my youngest son and a trip to the vets with the dogs.
Then there's the cleaning, washing and trying to keep on top of everything around the house.
Thankfully, hubby does most of the cooking, which is one less thing for me to worry about!
Honestly, some days I wonder how I manage to fit it all in.
Does anyone else feel like that?
Finding Time for the Simple Things
As much as I enjoy being busy, I've realised how important it is to make time for the things that help me switch off.
For me, that's often the more traditional things we can do together at home.
Baking, crafting and growing vegetables are all activities I really enjoy, especially when the children get involved.
There's something so satisfying about making something yourself, whether it's a homemade cake, a little craft project or watching something you've planted grow.
And it's even better when you can share that experience with your children.
Out of all these activities, though, baking has to be one of my favourites.
Why I Love Baking with the Children
Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the main cook in our house!
Hubby does around 90% of the cooking, and I'm more than happy to let him.
But baking is different.
When I get the chance to head into the kitchen with the children, it's one of those lovely moments when I can forget about work for a while.
No emails, no meetings and no rushing around trying to get everything done.
Just us, a few ingredients and, usually, a rather messy kitchen!
The children absolutely love getting involved, whether it's mixing ingredients, measuring everything out or decorating whatever we've made.
And, of course, there's always the important job of tasting the finished treats!
What I particularly love is that we're not just spending time together. We're also learning useful skills along the way.
Measuring, following instructions, being patient and understanding how ingredients work are all little things that will hopefully come in handy as they grow older.
Plus, there's something really lovely about knowing you're making memories together.
Even if it does mean flour all over the worktops!
Traditional Homemaking Skills Are Making a Comeback
It seems I'm not the only one rediscovering the enjoyment of these traditional activities.
A survey carried out by UK home interiors company Baytree Interiors found that skills such as baking, sewing and preserving were becoming popular again after years of decline.
And I have to say, the results didn't surprise me.
According to the survey:
31% of participants chose baking as their favourite hobby.
21% said they would like to learn sewing or how to alter clothes.
43% said they turned to the internet to learn new skills.
I can certainly relate to that last one!
Whenever I want to learn something new, the internet is usually my first port of call.
Whether I'm looking for a baking recipe, a craft tutorial or a little help with something around the house, there's nearly always someone online who can show me how to do it.
Learning Traditional Skills in a Modern World
It's quite funny when you think about it.
We're turning back to traditional homemaking skills, but often using modern technology to learn them!
From YouTube tutorials and helpful blogs to online forums and step-by-step guides, there's so much information available at our fingertips.
I've lost count of the number of times I've searched for a tutorial when trying something new.
And I love that we can learn at our own pace, without having to sign up for classes or spend a fortune on equipment.
Cooking programmes, craft shows, books and magazines have also helped bring these skills back into the spotlight.
A spokesperson from Baytree Interiors explained that the survey showed people were embracing traditional lifestyles again, with technology playing an important part in helping them discover and learn practical skills.
I think that's a lovely combination of old and new.
Making More Time for What Matters
For me, slowing down doesn't mean giving up our busy family life or suddenly becoming brilliant at every traditional homemaking skill.
It's simply about making a little more time for the things that matter.
Sometimes that might mean baking a cake with the children, spending an afternoon crafting or getting outside to do a bit of gardening.
Other times, it might just mean closing the laptop, ignoring the never-ending to-do list for a while and enjoying being together.
I'm sure life will always be busy in our house, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
But if I can find a few more opportunities to slow down, switch off from work and spend some lovely moments with my family, then that's definitely something worth making time for.
And if we manage to bake something delicious along the way, even better!
Do you enjoy traditional homemaking activities? Whether it's baking, sewing, gardening or crafting, I'd love to know what helps you slow down and relax.
This is an updated version of an older blog post. The Baytree Interiors survey figures reflect the research referenced at the time of original publication.
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