Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Spring "Break"



They call it a "break"...but it's not, really.

Don't get me wrong, I looooove being home with my kids. I also loooove working part-time! I work 2-3 days a week, and get to be home 4-5 days a week, and I find that is the perfect balance for ME. I get to shower, get dressed up a little, and spend time out of the house interacting with ADULTS. Sometimes I feel like going to work IS my "break"!! I can even get an errand or two done on my lunch or on my way home.

I am definitely not cut out to be a stay-at-home mom, though I have the utmost respect for those parents who do. I also can't even fathom being a single parent, especially having a child with unique needs (like technology and heavy equipment!).

I was home with the girls ALL WEEK, pretty much on my own. Do you know what that means? It means I had to be present for TWENTY meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner, and I had to do TEN of them completely on my own! I got ONE off because I had a Family Advisory Board meeting at the hospital. One.

Okay, okay, it wasn't that bad...at least they were healthy and actually ate (for the most part) what I fed them. But still, sometimes the boredom just overwhelms me! That's the hardest part for me. I get so BORED!

On Monday I took both girls to Holland's eye doctor appointment. They had to dilate her eyes, so the total time at the office was a little over an hour. Then I took them both to McDonald's for lunch. Then we went to the eyeglass store to order new frames with a new prescription. Then we ran to OfficeMax, Michael's and Target before picking John up for dinner at Chili's. Throughout the day the girls talked and asked questions constantly. I had to teach them the game, "let's see who can be quiet the longest." I ordered TWO ice cold margaritas at dinner because after a day like that I needed them! I felt like I deserved a medal, I truly did. It's exhausting!

Then we went home, bathed the girls and put them to bed. We came downstairs to a house that looked like it had been ransacked. Those girls can destroy a perfectly clean...um, I mean somewhat picked up...house in minutes flat. I spent the week trying to work on our Team Shirts, and quickly realized that if you aren't constantly cleaning up it's impossible to stay on top of it.

I went back to work today and right away someone asked how my "break" was. I automatically replied, "oh, it was great!" Then I started thinking about it, and it hit me that it really was great. Despite the boredom during feeding, the kids who make a mess in my house and won't stop talking...it was great.

It was great because I have them. They eat. They make a mess. They talk.

I have them, and I am oh so grateful.

Please support Team Holland and Eden as we March for Babies! Our walk is just FOUR days away, and we need your help to reach our goal. If everyone reading would donate just $1, we'd be ON OUR WAY:)


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Whoa, that is a exhausting day! you definitely deserved those margaritas :)

Anonymous said...

Your girls are beautiful. I hope someday to get the chance to have children of my own.

Tertia said...

LOL!!! I feel exactly the same way you do. These 'breaks' are exhausting! I don't think I could be a full time SAHM either. I'd be a horrible mother.

(and yes, the talking! CAN THEY TALK!!!)

Tertia said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
BusyLizzyMom said...

I work 2.5 days a week as well and mostly it is for my sanity. When I come home from being at work I am revived but when I am home for the day I am exhausted. The home for the day usually consists of in and out of the car traveling from one appointment to another, entertaining a child in the car and while waiting to see her therapists and Dr's and of course eating McDonalds because there is not enough time to go home to eat healthy it tires my aging body. Go to work is my equivalant to being at the Spa (pretty pathetic, I know).
I love being home and doing all those fun Mommy things (baking, crafts, playing) but I need an adult break too.

Rebecca said...

I for sure know how you feel about needing some adult interaction. I work at a daycare and I love my babies but they don't usually contribute much to the conversation.

I'd been debating for a while whether I could afford to make a donation to your team, and decided to just go ahead and do it. I'm a poor college student who is up to my ears in loans, but I wanted to what I could.

The girls are beautiful, as always :)

Anonymous said...

You completely described my feelings about being home with my kids. I also work 3 days a week and it is what keeps me sane. It really is the boredom that kills me too. How many times can you play; ballerina or teacher or read the same books or clean up messes without going koo koo?

Anonymous said...

I love my little ones too, but I can't stand how boring it is. My daughter (also has CP) constantly wants me to tell her made up stories about our cat and my son is just 5 months old so while he is cute and sometimes fun finding new things for him to be interested is hard and boring. I sometimes can't wait until they grow up a little bit.

Kendra Lynn said...

Oh boy...that post hit home! I get so bored and fed up sometimes with both girls...thankfully, our spring break consisted of a trip to TN and lots of family time with daddy, so I was not constantly alone. However, I do sympathize with the messy house. I find the more we are all home, the messier and harder to keep clean the house gets!

I'm glad you get "breaks" occasionally...that will save your sanity.

Love you.
Kendra

Valeria said...

I feel exactely the same way... work is my break :)