Many people (especially stay at home moms) welcomed the Back to School season and the routines it brings with it. While I enjoy routine, I am fearful of exasperating my children with a busy schedule. I dread the time when mornings include the phrases "Hurry up! We're going to be late! We have to go!" Charlotte's school starts at 8:30 AM and she wakes up at 7:30. That gives us 45 minutes to eat breakfast, get dressed, pack our bags, and load up the stroller. I am committed to that 45 minutes being relaxed but it is hard not to want to rush the girls along. Other days bring other activities which we enjoy. It is fun to get out of the house and we all like to be around our peers. But we need down time.
This was our first full week (without travel) since school started and we are all exhausted. Yet, Charlotte sees friends doing other activies and says "I want to do that too!" Part of me feels terrible saying "No, we can't go to the beach today" or "No, you can't do soccer and dance, just one." But a bigger part of me knows that that's the right decision.
I want lazy afternoons. I want the girls to be able to play outside with friends when the weather is nice. I want the girls to be together (and right now, they still want that too). In the moment, I feel like it'll be fine to just say "Yes" but at the end of the day, the meltdowns (from adults and children alike) show that saying "No" really is the way to go.
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| A morning at home means getting to see the garbage truck! |
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| Not being rushed means having the time to laugh when catching these mischevious girls who've found the morning's snacks in the diaper bag. And realizing that the Big Girl was sweet enough to share them with her Baby Sister. |
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| Evenings at home mean smiles, tickles, and time to run around in undies and scrunchees |
Ah, you newer moms- you just don't give yourselves enough credit.
ReplyDeleteYou are not saying no. You're saying "Yes, Charlotte, Mommy loves you enough to teach you balance in life."