Oh you know, typical mom confession time over here. It’s been a wonderful fall and I’m sure winter is peeking around the corner, waiting to dump a ton of snow on us so I’ve been taking stock of what’s worked and what hasn’t and how I can improve and all that stuff.
When I was out of town last weekend, I picked up a copy of Gretchen Rubin’s Happier at Home. I’ve already read the Happiness Project, which I loved, so I figured this one would be a jumpstart for my soon to be given up New Year’s Resolutions. But no! it really had such great ideas about improving areas of your home life. And it got me to thinking.
What have I given up on as a mom since having three kids? And am I ashamed? Many things. And nope.
Christy’s post about bloggers being just bloggers and missing that got me to thinking, I’d better share this #momfession because three or four people might identify.
1) Tidy house
When I just let it go and tidy after the kids are down for the night, or have them help me after we eat and before AA comes home, it’s so much easier. Otherwise I’m in a constant mental panic about each room we’ve trashed that day and how if I don’t get to it then someone else in the house is going to tidy it and be annoyed with me (intergenerational living first world problems). And I think my kids can’t play in chaos thusly it must be tidy for them to delve into their unstructured free play.
It’s not tidy. And sometimes when my friends come over with their kids, I’ve done them the courtesy of pre-messing it up for them. Slow clap & wink.
It will be tidy when I’m dead or the kids are all moved out and then it will be lonely. So setting that aside, I can focus on tidying when it’s possible and not worrying about it most of the time.
Or like the other day when I was getting through a little religion reading with SuperBoy and the tot just dumped out four games. FOUR games and I didn’t even blink. Looks good, son, just keep happy so I can read with your brother without you coming over here to really attempt to nurse in the most insistent and physical way possible (answer: only in the morning and night. NOT RIGHT NOW.)
2) My sons never wearing sports clothing
Traaaaaashy kids in their Twins shirts!! I always looked askance at their parents. Didn’t they have anything that wasn’t a major league sport in the back-covering department? And jerseys? Don’t even get me started.
SuperBoy wants to play baseball professionally. He practices pitching every single day of his existence, rain or shine. He plays imaginary games in his head with players and types of pitches and counts the strikes and balls and has it all going all day long. He also owns a copious amount of Twins apparel. So yeah, we don’t wear it to parties or church or nature center school in the afternoons a few days a week, but yes, he’s probably wearing it to your house and in my house. Constantly.
3) Second language emersion early
J’adore Francais and really thought I’d raise my kids comfortable with two languages. Turns out unless you’re a native speaker (not) or both parents are bilingual (no, also not) it’s a little low on the list of things for me to focus on with many small kids running around.
I’m bummed but do introduce little songs and phrases. And we have lots of Latin at our church and AA is fluent in that so maybe they’re getting a little bit of two other languages? Maybe.
4) Daily rhythm being the same on a daily basis
As soon as we have a pattern, something throws it off. We’re sick; we have visitors; someone is traveling; someone is teething. I had this idyllic vision of the same nurturing loving peaceful routine every day. What was I thinking?!
Yes, we have a basic framework and doing homeschooling + a few afternoons at the nature center for SuperBoy have given us more structure but yikes. Many days I’m just trying to let go of number 1 up there {untidy house} and read to the one kid while the other one colors with a permanent magic marker (why do I even own these?) on a pillow case. His initials. And then tries to claim the toddler did it.
5) Strict nap schedule
Even with two kids, I was pretty rigid about only being available between 11 and 1, and then not really because we prefer to eat our own food at home, so then maybe after afternoon naps, but then not really because I have to start making dinner and people are crabby and it’s rush hour and no thanks okay see you in ten years.
Now the almost 18 month old tot has one nap, it’s finally at the same time as the 3.5 year old so there you go!! Free mornings!!! Free afternoons!!! I will even skip them to come and see you if I like you!!
6) Baby food puree
BabyLoves never ate it. Still doesn’t really like pouches (I mean, who doesn’t like pouches??). He was also a 10 pounder who started walking and running at 10 months. Maybe it’s just him, but I went from j’adore le purees to “here’s some of what we’re eating, please don’t choke too much.” He also had lots of teeth early and was predisposed to enjoy gnawing on things.
7) Pjs during the day
It’s parenting laziness at its worst. BUT if we’re home all day and have no visitors and the baby is still in his Hannah Andersson number (I know it’s getting a little short legged but I improvise with socks + baby leggings to make these 12-18 mothers keep on going through winter), I’m okay with that. In fact, it could almost pass for play clothing, right? I mean, look at his mullet, too??
Linking up with Kelly & the gang for 7 Quick Takes. Tell me your #momfessions, k??