I’m a better mom when I don’t have to spend so much time doing it
September 10, 2007 – 5:04 amIn the last five days, I have felt like a NEW WOMAN.
Strong, happy, carefree, blissful, blithe, gleeful, peppy, perky, gladsome, jolly and JOYFUL…
I walk down the sidewalk and find that there’s a new bounce in my step. I’m tempted to leap in the air for a quick pirouette.
Even when it’s cloudy, these eyes see nothing but BLUE SKIES SMILING AT ME…
I have more energy. More spit and vinegar. I could swear that my skin is more supple, my eyes less baggy, my hair more shiny, my eyes full of sparkle.
Why is this? You might ask.
Why is Jenny looking so chipper?
Oh DO let me tell you.
SCHOOL’S BACK IN SESSION!
everybody now…
OH YEAH BABY OH BABY YEAH!
This whole summer THING… this whole “spending every second with your child”? Wow. Exhausting.
The first week I was like, “Hmm, this is kinda fun. Maybe I can do it.”
Then the second week came along and I was going, “Oh boy. OH BOY. Maybe more coffee will help.” (it didn’t)
The third week I was all, “AAGGHHHHHH!!! I NEED A BREAK!!!”
And the fourth week? It was something along the lines of “Gurgle Smeltersptlgflp SOMEBODY HELP ME!”
That’s right… I couldn’t even form an intelligible sentence except to beg for mercy or a five-minute break.
And I have one child. How do YOU PEOPLE… you know, those of you who have hoards of children like 2 or 3 or 17… how do you DO IT? How do you KEEP YOUR SANITY? I live in awe of you… truly I do.
Because me? I need some time away. If summer taught me anything, it’s that preschool is a precious gift that I am willing to pay ANY AMOUNT up to and exceeding five KABILLION dollars to enjoy.
Seriously.
I’m a better mom when I don’t have to spend so much time doing it.
***
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Mother. Coffee drinker. Information seeker. Skeptic. Creative. Dreamer. Schemer. Absolutely Bananas.
By Wendy on Sep 9, 2007 | Reply
Amen, preschool!! My little shadow starts again tomorrow, and I can’t wait!! She has been following me eve.ry.where! I know, someday I’ll long for these days…….uh, when?
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By Deb on Sep 9, 2007 | Reply
I love the kids, but they need that structure, and time away from me. My youngest is in prek 9-11:30 and next year is ALL day kindergarten, so I have to milk it up while I can.
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By Suburban Oblivion on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Amen. I hate summer vacation.
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By kara on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Hooray for school!
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By Summer on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Oh how I wish I was enjoying a school break! But we decided to homeschool my oldest for kindergarten until we can move into a decent school district. *sigh*
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By ktjrdn on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
I know exactly what you mean. I have 2 and the thought of spending summer vacation with them following me around erveywhere gives me chills. Luckily I can come to work every day and be excited to see them when I pick them up instead of wanting to go hide from them in the closet.
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By Taste Like Crazy on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a tiny bit jealous.
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By Cate on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Oh my gosh, don’t feel guilty. I mean, my kids aren’t even in school yet, and I can’t wait!
I can’t even imagine what it’s like to have a few hours a day all to myself…’cause it never happens!
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By Annie on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
And this is exactly why I go running some evenings as soon as my husband walks in the door, to Barnes and Noble for a cup of coffee and some peace and quiet.
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By Colleen on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Oh…. how I totally feel the same way. Zoe’s toddler program is on the public school schedule. They start this week. We’ll miss the first 2 weeks because for some reason we thought we’d like to put a 2 year old on a plane for one more trip this summer. Sound like fun? Once we get back I will blissfully enjoy Zoe’s school days. 3 mornings at 3 hours a piece. Heaven.
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By Mrs. Schmitty on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
I am so envious of you. So far only one of my kids is in school full time. I won’t have a full day to myself in…ummm…3 more years! Oh crap.
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By Nap Warden on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
I am still in the trenches with both babies…I do look forward to preschool…someday…help!
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By Deb - Mom of 3 Girls on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
My break from my kids is being at work… But I was thrilled when school started too, because they were going so crazy without it that they were driving me nuts even in the few short hours I get with them during the weekdays… Hooray for school!
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By M on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
I think MOST mom’s feel that way. Yet so few take the needed breaks on a regular basis. (I, selfish hag mom that I am) insist upon an hour each day and then try to escape on the weekends totally kid free at least once.
Because DUDE spending too much time with my crazy kidfolk? Makes me consider listing them on ebay and conveniently forgetting to inform buyers that they are really monsters in disguise.
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By Carla on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
2 down 2 to go for me! Whoo Hoo! God Bless the homeschooling families I know that have 6 children!(I used to homeschool)I value ME TIME and how in the world can you miss your children when you are always together??? Skipping to my lou, with you AB!!
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By Not the Queen on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
I’m sick. I know I’m sick. I actually enjoy having my girls to myself all day. Fortunately, they both nap at the same time in the afternoon.
I hope I continue enjoying being home with them all day; we can’t afford preschool this year.
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By magnolia mama on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Amen, Sista! I heard someone talking about homeschooling at swimming lessons the other day and I thought to myself, “WTF?” I’d rather shoot myself.
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By Queen of Shake-Shake on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
How do we moms of more than one keep our sanity?
Here’s a clue.
We don’t.
I’m a much better mom when school is in too. Which is why the prospect of homeschooling, which I may have to do, scares the crap out of me.
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By Smiling Mom on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
I totally get you!! Totally!
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By MommyMommy on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
yeah for you!!!
My secret? when I have one in furst grade and one in PreK, and 2 little ones? They all go down for nap when the buig ones are in class, and I get an hour and a half to….
clean
Sometimes I would give my left arm for a full day “off”
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By nell on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Right there with you! Hooray for school time!
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By Sunshine on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
My stress level has decreased exponentially. #4 is still here half the day as a preschooler, but the law and order of the days, while MUCH busier, there is less yelling. By me.
It’s a good thing.
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By Mama Zen on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Amen!
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By Chelsea on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Amen! I don’t have a temperament to homeschool, but God bless the women who do.
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By Cathy on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
For me,there are some weekends when going to work Monday morning feels like a vacation.
(This was one of them.)
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By Maureen on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
As the Back-To-School commercials say: “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”…. (the now ex-Christmas tune).
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By Angie on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
I cannot WAIT until mine are in school! One more year… one more year… one more year…
http://awholelotofnothing.net
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By Jo Beaufoix on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
This is sooooo true.
I would love a day off, or even a couple of hours just to myself in the day.
I already have planned what I’ll be doing when Miss M starts Nursery next February.
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By Erin on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Amen, sister! I cannot wait for my 2 year old to start preschool. She is SO going next year.
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By The Daring One on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
One secret is that with 2, you can make them play TOGETHER so you don’t have to entertain 24/7. I also greatly encourage all of Laylee’s imaginary friendships, especially the nice ones.
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By pinks & blues girls on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Now I have that song “Born Free…” in my head thanks to that picture!
Time to yourself is a good thing. Even just a few hours.
Jane, Pinks & Blues Girls
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By Jennifer aka Binky Bitch on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
amen to alone time. I haven’t had any since 2005.
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By Jen M. on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
I love my kids, but I am officially over the edge. Which is why they go to amazing summer camps and lessons and swim at the pool and I invite them over to their friends’ homes in the summer.
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By Jill on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Who would judge you for that. I love my kids more than anything, but do a little dance on the first day of school. I feel like I get a little bit of my life back
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By Coma Girl on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Perhaps we can start a petition to make summer vacation 3 or 4 weeks max.
Ahhh. That would be perfect!
Now, I am just getting myself excited. It will never happen.
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By Mert on Sep 11, 2007 | Reply
OMG, you kill me! *snort*:D
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By Mel on Sep 11, 2007 | Reply
I have no sanity left. (Schooling at home teenagers, preschooler at home who missed the kindergarten cut-off.)
Hold me.
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By Shauna Loves Chocolate on Sep 11, 2007 | Reply
AMEN!
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By Mamma on Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
Now you know my secret. That’s why I work still.
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By Rachel on Sep 17, 2007 | Reply
I might have snickered a little bit at that last sentence.
Might have.
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