All the Single Ladies….
Jun 08
Okay so I am not really single but seriously Kevin is gone, yet again, for a business trip. This makes 5 trips in 4 months. We joke around that I am a single working mother of three and that there should be some sort of government program for which I qualify. I am pretty sure Obama-Care had something in it that would help me out – right? No?
Anyway, so here I am again all dressed up in a suit running around gathering bottles for the baby, slinging my pump over my shoulder and giving the Nanny last minute instructions. As I fall into the car and begin my commute, I wonder….does everyone do this much before 8am? Did I remember to put on my bra?
I have enough “stay at home” mom friends to know that being home with the kids is no vacation either and that is has its’ own set of complications and stress. Namely, the inability to have an adult conversation for 8 straight hours and the carpel tunnel syndrome that develops from constant requests to open this or that snack package/toy etc. As a side note – can we please join together and speak wtih the toy manufacturer’s about the ridiculous amount of plastic and screws and tape and twisty wire-thingies involved in packaging? Seriously.
So my assumption is simply that being a mom to multiple children is just hard work, whether you are with them all day or not. At the end of any given day, especially without a husband around to share the burden (I mean joy) of dinner time/playtime/bathtime/storytime, I am just spent. Useless. Emotionally and physically drained.
As such, I have been feeling like my children don’t get my best when I come home from work. With Kevin being gone and work being so draining, my kids sometimes get the scraps. I have been asking God to show me how to be the best mom I can be with the little time I have. I don’t want to have my children look back on these years and just see me as the blur in heels (albeit very cute heels) that barked “get dressed! we have to leave NOW!” But how do I accomplish this when I really do need them to get dressed because we really do have to leave NOW???
I feel like I am being called to spend more time playing with my kids. Due to the fact that I have boys, it is easier for me to cop out and say – “Mommy doesn’t know how to transform that Transformer, go ask Daddy to help.” Yet, I know that I need to find ways to connect with them that is fun, even when my day is long. So ladies, I have a question….do you (whether you work outside the home or not) take time to play with your kids? Do you engage in their world for a time each day? If so, what do you do? Especially for my boy mama friends – help me out. I can play Barbie till the cows come home but when it comes to Batman, my creative juices just aren’t flowing.
Alright, I am off to start my day. Seven cups of coffee later and a little help from Beyonce (put your hands up! oh-oh-oh) I finally have the energy…..
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Jenn you are speaking my language…….Although married I am a part time single mom with Bryan’s schedule and him being gone 3-4 days a week the morning and night time routines fall on me…..as well as the playing with them.
I do have to say that I have it a little easier since I have a boy and a girl. but I to have felt challenged to play with them more. Lately all the kids have wanted to do is play outside and ride scooters or skateboards. This is always a daunting task for me since it means sitting on the curb ready to yell “CAR” so my kids don’t get run over. For my birthday thought I got a long board and have been riding our on the street with them playing tag and having races. The kids love it, plus I think they find it hysterical that mommy is on a skatebaord. But there are those days when I am in the dirt pile out back racing motorcycles through a dirt track or sitting at the lego table building pyramid’s (okay I like that one), but at the end of the day the joy they get from me playing with them is so worth it.
Jenn y our boys are so lucky to have you as a mamma…..although it seems tough to sit and play with them, in the end I don’t think they care what you do with them, as long as you are just there.
Love you my friend!
Alison – i could have guessed that you would like the lego’s but the long board cracks me up! Please please please take a self portrait – i must see this! love you!
Jenn- I read this post this morning and it really made me stop throughout the day just to sit next to the boys and let them know that I’m not too busy to hang out. It’s so hard for me because every time they want me to play, my mind is thinking of so many other things I could be doing. This was a really good reminder to just relax and enjoy my kids. Thank you!
Hi Jenn. Found your blog through Danika’s and I love to check it from time to time. Love the reality of your post in trying to juggle so many things as a mom… I cant imagine being a mom of 3 and having one so little!! My little man is still little but I completely relate to not wanting to play with toys… I dont like it! Im best connecting with him in ways that are natural to me… being outside and playing outside games or sports at the park, he loves to try to help me “cook” and stir and watch in the kitchen, reading books, snuggling, etc.
Eliza!!!! How are you? I am going to find you on FB so we can catch up. Thanks for reading
I think you are a wonderful and fun mom. You tickle and roll around with your boys, they love that!!
Even being at home I still find myself filling my day with other activities other than spending time with my kids, especially by the time I get Anna down for a nap, then I feel like I need to get other work done…. I love to play Legos with the boys. We enjoy Uno Moo
and they both like to cook with me Smoothies are our favorite right now.
I agree with Alison, they really don’t care what you do with them. They just want to spend time with you.
Love you