School starts in one week. Well, technically 1 week and 1 day. And I gotta say, those 8 days cannot go fast enough. Try as I may to want to make the most of them because I know that once school starts life is different and crazy and filled with structure, must-dos and battles over homework, I’m also more than ready for a little break from all this togetherness with my precious children. I love them but we are all driving each other crazy.
We need time apart. And I know I’m not the only one who thinks this. The common refrain I hear (and echo) when I get together with my friends is, “Oh my goodness, are your kids driving each other (and you) crazy, too!?” The end of summer is near and we all know it.
Full disclosure: I sat on the couch yesterday, in tears because Liam was being mouthy (and generally 8) and Jack had refused to stay at my parents’ house as planned. I was disappointed to not have an anticipated break from my highly spirited and intense youngest child and mad at myself for feeling disappointed; and frustrated with Liam for not helping matters (because he was grumpy about not get a break at home from his brother). Simon was tired from having worked all day on a normal day off so I knew he was hoping for calm when he got home. We were all spent and feeling annoyed with each other. It’s not a great feeling to have as a parent, but it is inevitable, that much I know. I’m not the only one who has ever felt this way, not the first or the last… parenting is hard. [Yes – I’ve said versions of this before here, here and here.]
After a little time out, we regrouped and split the kids up and went on an outing. The evening ended up much better than the afternoon. And this morning I heard Jack telling Liam that it was the best day ever because I had told them they could play Wii and have candy before breakfast. Each day is a new day and while we are still ready for school to start, I’m no longer in tears and on edge (my kids are still driving me nuts and now there is a thunderstorm happening so George is losing his mind). But maybe you are and maybe you need a reminder – the list above is like my parenting mantra… the things I repeat to myself when I feel overwhelmed. Hope they help you and if you don’t need them now, you probably will at some point (if you click on the image you can download a printable PDF).
ememby 