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September 28, 2012

Missing My Cloak



When the girls were about 16 months old, I wrote a post entitled, “The Cloak of Oblivion”. 

I did my best to engage the girls…reading countless books every day, playing to their hearts’ desires, and narrating every last detail seemingly incessantly.  Occasionally, though, I just needed a break…a chance to sit quietly and rest my brain and my vocal chords, or perhaps indulge in a caffeinated confection.

I tried not to do it too often, but – when the circumstances dictated – I would load the girls in the car and make a loop through the Starbucks drive-thru.  I rationalized that the girls were enjoying the sights along the way, and listening to kiddie music during the 15-minute round-trip.  If I didn’t want to leave the house, I could at least escape across the baby gate, to the comfort of the kitchen, and enjoy a mini Kit Kat. 

The girls were blissfully oblivious to Mommy needing a break…and that little break really did this mommy good!

As I may have mentioned (tears dripping on my keyboard as I typed), Baby A has decided she’s too old to nap.  All in all, we’re doing OK.  B still naps for about an hour and a half, and A plays [mostly] quietly for an hour-ish, and then she and I enjoy a little bit of one-on-one time.

This is well and good, and I know it’s part of the natural evolution as the girls grow older…EXCEPT…it means that I have ZERO time BY MYSELF during the course of the day. 

Additionally, the girls are anything but blissfully oblivious.  They are the most curious of kitty cats.  I am ultimately very thankful they are so inquisitive…but boy, does it leave me missing my cloak at times.

There’s zero chance I can sneak into the kitchen for a bite of chocolate.  (Now I understand those “jokes” about moms hiding in the closet to eat a candy bar!)

The girls are not usually game for a nice little ride into town, for the sole purpose of Mommy getting a coffee.

Heck, from sunup to sundown, I don’t even go to the bathroom by myself.

Oh, what I wouldn’t sometimes give for a new cloak…but I guess it would have to one of invisibility, and I’m thinking that’s not very likely.

To the positive, I guess I’ll be thankful that my diet is perhaps a little better these days, my indulgences so limited.  That's ultimately a good thing, especially with the holiday candy season upon us (defined [by me] as the time between Halloween and Easter, when all the good candy is available).  

4 comments:

  1. I don't think I understood how important 'me' time was until I didn't have any.

    When the girls go to bed, I race downstairs to do... NOTHING! Poor Adam - I ignore him completely and sit in front of my computer for a solid hour before I'm ready to engage in any activity... even TV watching with him. Lame, right?

    I love, love LOVE spending my days adventuring with the twins, but I just need an hour of time with me, myself, and I.

    And, there is almost always chocolate consumed once those little angels are in bed. :)

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  2. oh man, i feel for you.

    What time does J get home? I would take my me time the minute he walks in the door (good bonding time for him and the girls) and go have some chocolate in the kitchen :) :)

    So do you not use the hour while A is busy doing quiet stuff?

    I take my me time even if one baby is awake - I make them go get some books and read next to me (still teaching them to read quietly like I do :))

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  4. Oh gosh, this is so hard. My girls gave up their naps right when they turned three. I fought it for so long and we all just ended up angry and frustrated.

    One of the things I have learned though is to tell them that Mommy is taking her own quiet time in the afternoon. I put on the tea pot and I sit at the computer for 20 minutes. It took a lot of ignoring them in the beginning and reminding them that I would help them when my quiet time was over but now they entertain themselves for the time. Usually, they get so engrossed in their own games that I can get half an hour. I figure it is a win-win. I get some peace and quiet and they learn how to be independent and respect boundaries.

    If all else fails, join a gym with childcare! I workout at the Y every morning and the girls get to play with other kids while being supervised by someone else! It's another win-win.

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