I'll admit it, I have moments - usually very early in the morning or very late in the day when I'm a little bit tired, a little bit crabby and a big bit fed up with constantly tidying up after the kids or meeting their never ending demands.
In those moments I envy people who have older kids, the kids who are old enough to take care of themselves, go out without supervision and actually give their mothers a few minutes peace every now and then!
Wouldn't it be lovely, I think, to be able to tidy the house and find it still tidy an hour later, or to be able to slink off for an afternoon nap and trust the kids to be alright without me for an hour or two?
We all have those moments, I'm sure! We get so bogged down with the responsibilities of adult life - most of us are always juggling housework, holding down a job, maybe looking after ageing or ill relatives, worrying about money, pining the loss of an easier life where someone looked after us instead of the other way around. It's no wonder that when our kids whine or make a mess or wake at the crack of dawn, we sigh wearily and look forward to the day when they can be more independent.
When your mind if so full of to-do lists, scary bank statements and unfinished jobs, it can be hard to switch off and just have fun with your kids. It can be so difficult to stop and put yourself in their shoes, where they just want to play in the park and are desperate for you to stop what you're doing and join them.
I went to see Toy Story 3 the other day, and it made me cry like a baby! Without giving too much away, it's a movie that not only reminds you of the joy of being a child and having beloved toys, it also gives a harsh reminder that kids do not stay kids for long. Sooner or later, they grow up and stop wanting to play all the time - eventually they stop wanting to play altogether, They take on their own responsibilities, stresses and worries. Why would I want to rush my sweet little kids into a life full of stress and worry?
One day in the not too distant future, I will have a house that stays tidy for more then 5 minutes. I will be able to sleep past 7am on my days off, and I will be able to concentrate on doing a job without having to stop 25 times to get snacks, take someone to the toilet or break up an argument.
But today? Well, today you'll find me in the park, playing with my kids, and loving every minute of it!
