There was a time when my image of parenting included a sleeping child and a rocking chair. Seriously.
There was a time when I could go a whole day without someone throwing up on me.
There was a time when I would consider having to get up to pee and then going back to sleep for five or six hours a "bad" night's sleep.
There was a time when I could go out for dinner without wondering whether my spawn was at that moment peeing on someone else's furniture, or sucking on an animal's foot, or testing the volume capacity of their scream.
There was a time when I could shower every day.
There was a time when a seven o'clock dinner didn't seem like a crazy, radical idea.
There was a time when I could sit and read a book- and it wasn't Walter the Farting Dog.
There was a time when I could nap whenever I wanted.
There was a time when I could choose vacation destinations without considering their splash pad offerings.
There was a time when I could have a bath without a shark and a tug boat floating by.
There was a time when I could play music more loudly, talk more loudly, make...tacos...more loudly.
There was a time when I didn't automatically presume I had been peed on when I felt warmth anywhere on my body.
There was a time when I could read an email and send a reply all in one sitting.
There was a time when I had a lot of time to myself, to do whatever I wanted - and it was lovely.
But this is even better.
Now I get to experience play all over again. Today we went on two lion hunts.
Now I see joy in new things - pine cones, trains, the moon.
Now I think harder about how the decisions I make impact the future, because the future is you.
Now I understand what it is to truly give of yourself, because when I give, you thrive.
It's not always easy, in fact it's often terribly hard, but it is good. For that, I have you to thank.
Amen sistah
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written, Jennie.
ReplyDeleteI get so excited when I see a new post from your blog pop up on my reader :)
I love this!! that is seriously how it is too :) Sometimes I think back to when I had time for myself but I wouldn't trade my life now for anything!
ReplyDeleteI"m your newest follower, can't wait to see more..
followme@ www.studentswife.com
Jennie! Such an amazing job with the Little Free Library! My sister Angela sent me the link today.
ReplyDeleteI would adore the chance to let our kiddies meet up and begin their inevitable lifelong friendship.
Song ideas for your kids:“I’ll Call You If I Need a Big Mess” (a fun rap), “I Used to Be an Only Child” are fun songs included in one of our upbeat CDs for kids. Kids’ CDs reviewed by School Library Journal. We raised two kids and are award-winning songwriters. I was a teacher for 20 years. We have songs for parents, too, including fun songs, love songs, and songs with popular girls names—good for parties.
ReplyDelete“I’ll Call You If I Need a Big Mess” (a fun rap), “I’m Your Little Sister,” “I Used to Be an Only Child” are fun songs included in one of our upbeat CDs for kids. Kids’ CDs reviewed by School Library Journal. We raised two kids and are award-winning songwriters. I was a teacher for 20 years. We have songs for parents, too, including fun songs, love songs, and songs with popular girls names—good for parties.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/gennaro/id5999799
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/Gennaro
KIDS CDs- 1.”Bubblebee: Songs for the Young at Heart”– includes fun songs about sibling rivalry and sharing and a song for RYAN.
2.”Be a Buddy, not a Bully”- “Positivity” & favorites from the other CDs
3.”Tale of Aladdin and Bubblebee”–Audio book in rhyme; new, original sequel to the Aladdin legend
1.”Bubblebee: Songs for the Young at Heart”– includes fun songs about sibling rivalry and sharing and a song for RYAN.
2.”Be a Buddy, not a Bully”- “Positivity” & favorites from the other CDs
3.”Tale of Aladdin and Bubblebee”–Audio book in rhyme; new, original sequel to the Aladdin legend
Lovely. So true.
ReplyDelete