I had not-quite three hours to myself yesterday while Annie and Izzie were at preschool. It was the first time since Drew was born 5 1/2 years ago that I didn't have a child in my house during the school day (not counting days when Doug is home and takes them out with him; you know what I mean). Because it was my first "free" day I didn't schedule a dentist appointment or run any errands other than the post office. I didn't arrange coffee with a couple of the other preschool moms I've known for a few years; I just wanted to be in my house and see how it felt to be taking back a little of my life.
Don't get me wrong. I love my kids. I would do anything for them. But as my daily existence is so completely intertwined with what THEY eat and THEY watch and THEY read and THEY do that I have gotten pushed to the side. My blogging time, for example, is so limited because a)it requires some brain power, b)I am constantly interrupted when I try to write or think and c)did I mention needing brain power? I can't tune out the kids when they are here so more often than not, I don't blog. Twitter on the other hand, is easier for me to manage while constantly being interrupted.
Doug called me while I was sipping coffee and asked me what I was going to do while the girls were in school. I told him "nothing". I had emptied the trash and uploaded some photos that I took of the girls yesterday, but other than that, I hung out at my computer. It was nice to actually READ a blog post instead of getting halfway through it and needing to feed a child/wipe a bottom/break up a fight. I wasn't lonely and I wasn't sad. I was just me and it felt so good.
Once we get into the routine of the girls going to school twice a week, then I'll do more things. I'll be volunteering in Drew's class on one of those days every other week. I can go to the dentist without taking the kids with me. I can clean if I want or edit photos or scrapbook. I can read a book. I can do those things that I never find the time for while the kids are racing around the house at warp speed (like right now). I'm looking forward to a better balance of me and Mama. I think I've earned it.
Friday, September 10, 2010
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6 comments:
I am SO proud of you! I need to take some lessons from you - I NEVER enjoy my alone time because I run around like a crazy woman with my 5,000 lists of things to do. And then I regret how I "wasted" my time.
Can't wait to hear about the girls' school!
Sounds delightful.
you have certainly earned it! i am soooooo happy for you : )
Oh do more of that nothing business! You've worked SO hard over those last 5+ years....just be blissful in the quiet.
Hi there. I just found your blog doing a search for "4 kids". I just found out that I am pregnant, unplanned, with our fourth. I am panicking a bit. Really thought we were finished at three, and this has come as a bolt from the blue. I am still trying to get used to the idea, and focus on positive stories of four!
I just feel so exhausted with three (ages 6, 4 and 18 months) how are we going to cope with another! You are an inspiration, thanks for sharing your blog. Please tell me that having four is fantastic!
Suzie - UK.
It's already hard to work with these young children, but the innocence of these children make work fun
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