Monday, March 7, 2011

A day with no kids

Friday The Engineer took off work, and I had all day to myself. I started by going to Toastmasters, a public speaking club I used to attend before I had kids. It was nice to visit my old friends there. Then I shopped for a baby shower, picked up real estate supplies I needed, stopped at the house I have listed, had a work-related meeting, picked up much-needed touch-up paint for our house, had lunch at Pei Wei by myself, and went grocery shopping. By that time it was late afternoon. The Engineer had taken the kids to a friend's house, so when I went home I had more time to myself there.

It was truly a treat to be able to do so many things--necessary things and fun things--without the responsibility of two small kids. But a couple of hours into the day, I found myself trying to figure out why I felt a little sad.

And I realized...I missed my kids.

As much as they (quite frankly) annoy me sometimes (okay, often), with their demands and their bickering and their age-appropriate-yet-ridiculous tantrums, when they're around they keep me on my toes. They keep my mind active. They keep me company. Alongside the annoying stuff, they also make me think and smile and giggle. They make my heart swell with pride. They bring me joy.

When they're not around, it's quiet. A little too quiet. As I drove around town, my mind was in a bit of a fog. And I remembered, I often felt that way before I had kids. I was a full-time real estate agent for three years, working from home, and while I loved my career, I was often lonely...just like I was Friday.

I appreciated my day without kids. I enjoyed it. But it wasn't quite as perfect as I thought it would be.

On the other hand, spending that much time away from my kids reminded me just how wonderful they are. It reminded me that they're pretty great company. It reminded me just how blessed I am to get to spend so much time with them. And those reminders are great antidotes to mommy burn-out.

Hmm...maybe it was a perfect day after all.

Photobucket

8 comments:

Unknown said...

I think we all need days like this now and then. It helps to remind us of the important things that we don't necessarily forget-they just get lost in all the hubbub of life sometimes. ;-)

Great picture of the kiddos!

CH_BeBestMe said...

I can TOTALLY relate to this. Been there!!!

Toni said...

This made me smile. (And while I Completely understand all that Kiddo stuff . . . I still have to admit . . . I'm a little jealous of your day.) :)

P.S. SUPER CUTE KIDDO PICTURE!!

Sandra said...

You make me realize what I missed by not being a SAH mom. Good for you that you are doing it, and doing it well.

Mellodee said...

that's the thing about being a mom. Your kids can drive you crazy, to the point you wonder WHY you EVER wanted kids to begin with!! But let them be in someone else's care for even a short period of time and you miss the little darlings. No one understands it, but it comes with the territory. And the feeling never goes away!

(They get cuter every day!)

forever folding laundry said...

I know what you mean.
I always love it when I get a break,
but then the house is so quiet.
But then as soon as they're home,
and the bickering starts I'm ready for the quiet again.
:)

Glad you got a little bit of a break.

~Keri

Megan Fletcher said...

beautiful! I agree. We need the break, if only to remind us just how great we have it! I love when I have those moments.

Eternal Lizdom said...

A beautiful post and reminder to appreciate the blessings- especially when they don't always feel like blessings!