My kids -- G in particular -- have been wild and disobedient lately. This morning I woke up in despair at the idea of getting out of bed knowing I will accomplish nothing lasting today in any aspect of my life that is immediately measurable. No matter how I scurried today, within 24 hours my house will be just as dirty or more so, I will be just as behind on this insane project or more so, I will be just as unkempt or more so, and our yard will be in an even worse state of disrepair.
Jason felt bad that I was mired in depression even before my eyes were open. He made me crepes for breakfast and took A and the neighbor boys to school. He had to go into work at noon, so it was a quick morning but a nice one.
I took the kids outside and we ate in the yard. The weather was perfect today, and our backyard is at its most magical. The sun through the leaves made it seem like being under water. I filled our supplemental sandbox and raked the narrow paths through the sea of ivy, pretending this was our home and I was sweeping the floor.
My problem, I think, is too little time outside. Now, before it gets too hot, I want to be out there all the time! But our house is still gross and inside chores still need doing, and we still need my paychecks. (And I can take the laptop outside but if the kids are out there too, I certainly won't get any work done.)
I think this was part of the problem last spring, too. If Jane is outside I need to be out there with her, and she LOVES being outside even more than she loves Dora. It's hard to strike a new balance when I had just gotten my winter routine figured out.
Mommy Break
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When it comes to children and pets, I can be extremely patient, and I
confess to being rather proud of this trait. A lot of people tire of my
daughter M’s ...
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Even I would like to be able to go outside and play, but, the Sunshine State is enduring an 11th day of rain. Soon we'll need an ark.
ReplyDeleteJen, that first paragraph was too familiar...so a little depressing. Man that sucks, doesn't it? I hate waking up with that "the day is already over" feeling.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got outside -- that always helps. OK, most of the time. OK, it's crapshoot, but it sounds like it worked, so I'm glad.
:)
We have piles of laundry and inches of dust in our house. It always gets this way in the spring and fall. I am like you, when it is nice outside, I want to be out all the the time. Once it gets hot, I have to come in and do stuff!
ReplyDeleteI know your frustrations with Jane. I am so glad my kids can go outside and entertain themselves. Makes my life so much easier! It will get better, I promise!!!
Enjoy the nice weather!
That is a hard one. When the kids want to be out and you have to be out too. The inside crap always calls the loudest, and while it does wait, it does not get lessened by the waiting. UGH.
ReplyDeleteWe have company coming tomorrow and I am freaking out trying to get the house cleaned up. Gotta love company.
Our laundry is piled up. I knew it was bad when Greg actually started a load of his clothes last night. He never does laundry.
ReplyDeleteMy boys just got a water table for Nathan's bday and I swear I could get anything done outside right now. They are glued to that thing for hours. Too bad I can't bring it inside in the evenings and get things done.
I know exactly what you mean. It is hard right now for me with a 5 month old who constantly wants to be fed and needs to stay out of the sun and a 2.5 year old who just wants to play outside. Seems like going outside is more work than staying inside cleaning up right now. I'm constantly having to juggle them and the neighbor kids. Fun (for them at least)and definitely exhausting.
ReplyDeleteI truly believe that a fenced in yard would be LIFE CHANGING for me and you. I want to garden outside with the boys but I can't let my eyes leave Frankie for a second. He's the type to just run off or eat poisonous mushrooms or something. Oh how I wish you and I had a happy safe fence! Maybe it wouldn't solve everything, but it would make it a little easier.
ReplyDeletethis too shall pass... just let go of the house and you will feel a little better. If you manage to keep the table cleaned off and the dishes done you have done enough. Life feels like the groundhog day movie to me lately. not a very cheering feeling.
ReplyDeleteWild and disobedient children - that strikes a chord with me! Must be something in the air!
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