Yesterday my eldest two left bright and early for their first "proper" overnight excursion. They were both pretty excited to be spending the night away with their friends. After the stresses of packing and making sure they had this and that, I (nervously) waved them off on the bus.
I suppose I must be a creature of habit. Without all those extra daily things to do, I felt a little lost. It seems the more time that I have, the less I do. The less time I have, the more efficient I seem to be with it. Could it be that I am more capable as a mother of three than one? I wonder if anyone else experiences this strange phenomenon?
So I look forward to an evening full of noise, unpacking and new stories to hear. The very gradual process of letting go as a parent can be difficult. I'll be happy (and relieved) to have them back.
Wishing you all a happy weekend.
Oh My Dear Tania,
ReplyDeleteI do know exactly how you feel.
When my babies were younger I use to just want 5 minutes of peace and quiet, time to do something I wanted to do. When given the chance of having the house to myself, I would last 15 minutes, then the quiet would over take me and I would get nothing else accomplished just watching and waiting for them to come home.
Truthfully though it does get easier as they get older.
{{ hugs}}
My second daughter last week had her first overnight school excursion, totally understand what you are saying. My house also felt strange with one less. I also find I'm a lot more productive and organised the busier I am, when free time comes us I find I stuff around and don't anything done. Enjoy your little ones home tonight. Happy weekend:)
ReplyDeleteYes you are right Tania, the more time, the less seems to get done! When I had all seven children at home, I was always busy but seem to have achieved more creatively than now, when there are only four here! Now I feel really strapped for time and I'm not really sure why?!
ReplyDeletePeople used to think I was crazy with all my kids and yes they do make work, but they help as well, AND they amuse each other! Enjoy the quiet time, perhaps thats just what is right for now - just being and doing nothing in particular.....sit in the sun and play with Violet!
A little lost is the perfect way to explain it. I felt like that on my recent holiday - my first one away from my boys. Elaina
ReplyDeleteI am with you about the less time we have making us more efficient! Since I have had my 2nd child, almost 3 months ago, our house has never looked cleaner or more organised! Scary to think about how useless I was with time management during my early 20s, pre baby days..!!
ReplyDeleteOh I totally get that. I used to crave even just 5 mins in the bathroom to myself but now with the youngest in Kindy and the house quiet and to myself for those few school hours, I still find myself distracted, scatterbrained and struggling to focus.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the chatterboxes!
I'm so glad you shared this as I've started wondering what it might feel like when my youngest starts kindy.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean. It was the same for me when my children were young. I would eagely await some time to myself with many plans of what I would do if I ever had a day to myself, and then when I did I just didn't know what to do with myself.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting post Tania...i think rather than you being better at parenting 3 you are just perhaps used to parenting withint your established family rhythm...changes to that take time to get used to...not just in one day so don't be too hard on yourself. Bet Violet loved the extra Mummy attention though x
ReplyDeleteAww, well I'm sure they'll have lots of stories to share with you when they're back!
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Love that photo of your children, by the way. Have a lovely weekend.
We are so much creatures of habit..it is amazing how hard it is when there is a change of pace like having one child instead of three. Nice to be able to focus on that one though and just connect a little more than usual. I love that last black and white photo too..great pic.
ReplyDeleteThis year I have 3 child free school days and I feel exactly the same, there is so much I want to achieve on these days that I really don't achieve much at all. I am much more productive with all the craziness around me. I hope they had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteI've felt that way when it was just me and the toddler. I know exactly where you're coming from. Makes me feel like a pretty amazing mama.
ReplyDeleteI have two girls and when the older one is away the younger one can't stay away from me! She is the one who loves to be with other people. Now I understand why my friend with only one child organises so many playdates for her!
ReplyDeleteWith my girls in high school now they've been away on school and church camps quite a lot, and so we are used to it now. But it is so strange at first! And so nice when they come home!
sweet little ones ...
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