I love them. I really do.
They are darling. Everyone says so.
Fairly well behaved. Except for the exceptions, of course.
They are fun to be around, when they aren’t whining about boredom or the injustices of the rules.
The enjoy each others company, except the one that had started it and the other that is going to finish it. Whatever the “IT” of that particular fight of the moment is.
This summer has been fairly easy. And has gone by relatively quickly.
We’ve all gotten along extremely well, despite too much togetherness.
We’ve all hung out more this summer than those in the past. The kids were less interested in going to camp this year and more interested in making messes and noises around the house.
BUT IT’S TIME!
Time to get the hell out of my house.
Spend 7 hours a day in school instead of 7 hours pacing the house while trying, last minute, to find someone who hasn’t already made plans.
Eat those unhealthy lunches at school instead of whining that there is nothing good to eat in the house. Although, quite frankly, you must be finding something good to eat because none of you are wasting away into waif-like oblivion.
It’s time to turn off the video games that are constantly on and do your homework.
Time to get involved with organized sports in lieu of chasing each other around the house, wrecking everything in your paths and calling that exercise.
Time to leave the lax days of summer behind and start living on structure and a tiny bit of organization.
Time to start going to bed when we say so, instead of when you say so. And that means no one standing outside my shut and padlocked bedroom door.
Time to have 7 hours a day of a house somewhat neat and tidy house, only to be destroyed upon the troupes arrival home. But oh, those sweet and luxurious 7 somewhat neat hours.
Because I don’t wear that unicorn and rainbow mask with rose colored glasses that seems to popular around some of the joints I visit.
I love being a Mommy.
I love my children.
Hugging them.
Kissing them.
Breathing in their scent…when it isn’t gamey and body-odoriferous.
Joking around with them.
Listening to their laughter.
Most everything about them.
But I also love the fact that my children are school age. And during the school year, aside from weekends and breaks, I get a few hours, EVERY SINGLE DAY, to use how I see fit.
And I’m unapologetically perfectly fine with that.
Bring on the judgment.
I’m fine with that, too.
Because I’m over this summer vacation.
I’m over them being home.
I’m OVER their noises and smells.
I like a little me time every day.
It makes me a better and more productive Mother.
We are allowed to be US.
WOMEN.
Not just nose wipers, food cookers, car drivers, chore assigners, bed makers, toilet cleaners, clothes cleaners, floor scrubbers, boo-boo kissers…MOMS and WIVES.
Like how we were before kids, only better and more fulfilled.
And we don’t need to apologize for that.
Or wear a mask and glasses.
If only for 35 hours per week.
Even though I don’t have kids, I totally loved this post, mainly because most of my friends who HAVE kids can’t ever seem to leave them at home with Dad. It’s sad to me because they are missing out on crucial alone time for themselves, and trust me when I say that they DESPERATELY need it.
It’s good that you feel this way– I think it’s totally healthy!
OH I hear ya, mama! And I work full-time out of the house! No kidding, I love my kids more then anything in the universe, but it it tiring! And I love me some me-time! I’m sad that my oldest son is starting JK in a couple of weeks, but there is a lot to look forward to, too… like routinue, etc. You have nothing to feel bad about, you know! I think every mom with school aged children are doing a happy dance right now!
A BIG FAT HELL YEAH!
!
Heh. Yeah, it will be good to be back in the regular swing of things. But I’m jealous of the sheer QUANTITY of your “me” time!!!
And as one of the people who will be taking care of those sweet children (well, not yours, but you know what I mean):
YOU’RE WELCOME!!!
Even though I’m at work all that time, a big HELL YES for not having to pay for day camp.
I remember all too well what it’s like to be at home all day all summer with kids who are near each other too much and I sympathize. (Heck, it was just last summer and I worked at night, gratefully, to escape!)
As my daughter screams because she’s so exhausted that she won’t go to sleep I’m wishing for some ‘me time.’ Enjoy!
Another ten days to go over here… but counting down!
A-to-the-MEN!!!
If us mommies don’t take some much needed “me” time, I think we start lacking, both as a mom and as a person. After all, moms are people too. That being said…5 days left! Ahem, not that I’m counting!
I am about to get some very limited “me” time and I am so looking forward to it. I think every mother, whether she works outside the home or inside it, needs time to be herself.
I used to feel guilty about wanting “me” time…but no longer. As a WOHM, the only time I have me time is after they go to bed and I get resentful when they start playing games about wanting to stay up longer or not being able to sleep. If I were in your shoes I’d LOVE, LOVE, LOVE those 7 hours of uninterrupted peacefulness (imagine all that you can blog and tweet about during that time ;o) There’s no shame in wanting your own time…you deserve it!
The boys have not even started “school” yet and I am considering year round school:)
Yes, Yes, Yes!!!
I’m with ya, PH!
I hear you sister! It’s the reason why after last year’s summer vacation where the kids broke or damaged something EVERY SINGLE DAY I sent them to Y-camp. They had a blast, made friends, learned all kinds of awful songs, but were gone for up to 10 hours a day. It was heaven and I got a lot done.
Now that they’re back at school, I don’t have quite the hours to myself. And with a bathroom model underway, it’s hardly quiet around here. Boy I DO miss summer camp, but am glad they’re back to school, too.
I think, as the comments support, if we moms were totally honest, we all look forward to school and a little alone time.
Ah, now THIS is the most wonderful time of the year! I love my daughters, but don’t they say that distance makes the heart grow fonder? Totally works that way for me.
I am glad I am not the only one who feels that way! And I don’t think we are bad moms. I am actually better at being a mom and wife when I get my “me time” when the kids are in school. I am sure I will miss them, but I am definitely ready for them to go back to school!
I have enjoyed reading your blog btw…:)
Michele
Brilliant, exactly what I was lamenting about in my last post. You know how they tell you to put on the oxygen mask first, before you help anyone else..for a good reason.
You wouldn’t be worth a pinch if you were attempting to hold it all together while suffocating and dying.
god, I can’t wait for my four to head off so that I can somehow whip my house back into some semblance of normalcy. If I hear “there’s nothing to do/eat/watch/read one more time, I might have to stick my foot so far up someone’s butt that my toes will be tickling their tonsils!
Enjoy the rest of the summer and live in sweet anticipation of September
Cheers
jackie
Followed you over hear from Hip Moms website.
I agree! It’s time for the kids to go back to school. My friends and I are going to have a celebratory party in our pj’s. We will drink champagne and not lift a finger for anybody except for ourselves.
It is so difficult to be mother’s faced with the guilt of needing escape from the drudgery of everyday living!
Enjoyed your post.
I meant to say, followed you over here!!!!