Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Some Adult Time

I had some adult time tonight.  Even though Jeff went out of town today I managed to secure a babysitter and went to the business dinner meeting that I had made plans to attend.  I thought about canceling.  The babysitter got lost on her way here and I figured that if she didn’t arrive by a certain time it wasn’t worth going and I wouldn’t go.  I thought about calling home as soon as I got there but I was late as it was – I called as soon as it ended figuring she’d be getting them ready for bed and wouldn’t answer.  I worried all the way home because there was no answer but I alternated that with noticing that I didn’t feel completely drained and exhausted or like I needed a glass of chardonnay and fast….Then I got home and they were freshly bathed, in their p.j.s and listening to a story.  It’s 9:00 p.m. and I’m not asleep on my feet ready to fall asleep right alongside them.  This has been a good experience.  I think that if I carve out the me time – really take the me time instead of just talking about it or wishing I had it – I will be a more patient and relaxed parent.  It takes work to find the right fit with a babysitter and even a great one may not work out because of change in circumstances, car trouble, etc.  but if I keep at it I could potentially find someone who’s conveniently local, who works well with my kids, and get some help with the most difficult times of the day – namely after  work – amusing them, feeding them, getting them ready for bed.  Even a break once in a while is so nice.  Or I guess Jeff and I could alternate more regularly.  It’s our own fault for spoiling them so that neither one goes to sleep without a parent anymore.  More work to undo what we’ve done by letting them get used to our presence until they’re fast asleep.  And we knew better even as we were doing it but were too tired to not lie down for just a minute or two that turns into hours or all night.  Even Jeff made me feel guilty for sticking with my plans – because he expressed concern about leaving them with a new babysitter.  She was sweet and adorable and they had a blast.  The kitchen table got cleaned off, they got bathed and pj’d and all was quiet on the home front when I got home.  In the past I stopped myself from going through with finding a mother’s helper to assist during that stressful after work time but that’s crazy – having someone around to amuse them while I change clothes, return a phone call, start dinner…would make a huge difference.   I can’t believe how awake I feel

Sunday, June 10, 2007

It is the best of times; it is the worst of times

Do I not have the most adorable children in the world – adorable, intelligent, polite – is my daughter not sending me around the bend with her constant whining?  Why was I misled about the terrible two’s?  She was a peach at two – she’s impossible at three when she’s not being a snuggly mommy’s princess, that is.  There are five articles of clothing that she will wear – and she will wear them clean or dirty.  That is five articles of clothing from amongst the sinful abundance of cute girl clothes and funky girl clothes and on and on.  And the whining – her whining has started to be like a knife in the knot of tension in my back.  What to do – she gets whatever she wants but she whines regardless.  <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Jackson went through this.  This too shall pass.  My neck is killing me.  Advil’s not touching it.  <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />