I'm entirely convinced that moms have mastered the art of spelling words, hiding chocolate, and turning the music up to avoid the kids hearing a snack wrapper, for the sole reason that we understand just how high the stakes are. One misplaced tootsie roll, casual mention of a fun trip, or passing by Chick-fil-A without the sunshades up can result in a complete meltdown. None are more familiar with and sensitive to this than mothers.
I've recently transitioned to being home with my kids full-time. Years ago, I would've said that's exactly what I thought I'd be doing, but after entering the workforce, I tried to find every possible way to do both. Without going into the whole saga of the life that led to my "SAHM" status, suffice to say it is a transition currently in full swing.
I thrive on structure, schedule, and feedback, which can make full days with a two and three-year-old both frustrating and exhausting. That said, I am gradually finding a rhythm to help me with my new status.
Each day I have a list of things I'd like to do. Checking boxes makes me happy.... though many of the lists start with "carryover" from the things I missed the day before. (I'm still learning to be less ambitious with my boxes.) Nonetheless, the list is there and I have intentions for the day.
My husband, my darling husband, who heads out the door during the kids breakfast, isn't always aware of said intentions, so he makes "suggestions" for the day. He does this completely mindlessly without realizing the impact it will have, but it goes something like this:
Kids: "Bye Daddy, see you later!"
Husband: "Bye guys! Hey, maybe Mama can take you guys to the park today! See ya!"
Me: *insert "really???" emoji*
Door closes.
Kids: "YEAH! MOMMY, MOMMY CAN WE GO TO THE PARK TODAY?!?! CAN WE GO RIGHT NOW? DADDY SAID PARK!!
Okay. Sometimes the park is on the list. We love the park. I totally take my kids there. But on a day we happen to be grocery shopping, going to a doctor's appointment, and having a play date... it's not going to happen. So I'm the one who now has to say, "Sorry guys, we aren't going to the park today. You have to go to the doctor to get some vaccines and then sit in the cart while we get groceries." And pray that the play date is enough to fend them off.
Thanks, Daddy! See you in 10 hours!
My husband thinks he should be able to sit on the couch with a bowl of ice cream while the kids are awake, meanwhile I've carefully portioned out my food intake so that I can eat in peace at 8:05 p.m. Sure, all of my bad food choices are made before sleeping hours, which is probably leading to bad life choices and a couple extra pounds.
Don't care. No one asked me to share the chips.
It used to bother me that my husband doesn't play the first-you-spell-then-you-sneak game, but to his credit, the kids have now (mostly) learned that life isn't fair, and adults have privileges that kids don't. And as long as he doesn't mind being swarmed like JTT in the 90's, who am I to S-T-O-P him?
