I love Autumn, it brings about change and change is good. The leaves on the trees change colors, the new television season begins, exciting football games, and a break from the three digit temps with cooler weather. There is one little thing that happens, that as a single mother I hate-- the end of daylight savings time. As the days begin to get shorter in mid-September, I begin to enter a state of somberness. I mean, in the Spring and Summer, the kids go out and play until dusk and then when they come in, they eat, bathe, watch a little tv and they're off to bed! Now when they come in, I look at the clock and it's only 5:30! How do I entertain them and keep my sanity for the next three hours?! Helping with homework is not the answer, it causes major problems, more for me than them.
So Friday I started brainstorming on fun, creative ways to keep my children occupied. We started the weekend by doing some shopping in Southaven, followed by a thrilling trip to Chuck E. Cheese's. I love CEC, it's worth every bit of the overpriced pizza and tokens. I can take my kids, buy 100 tokens and enjoy my book of the moment while they run around like crazy. I can actually enjoy the pizza while I read as my kids take five seconds pauses from the fun to eat and drink. When we got home, they were exhausted-- mission accomplished, only four months left. The next day, we did a little grocery shopping and when they asked for the movie, "Over the Hedge" I gave in, thinking they could watch that when we got home and I could take a much needed nap. When we got home, I popped the DVD in and immediately LP and LB were in a trance and I was off to my bed for a little shut eye. That DVD kept them occupied for most of the afternoon with special features. We finished the day by doing a few more errands and watching television. I was still tired, so I decided I'd sleep in the next day instead of going to church.
Sunday morning-- we all wake up at 8:30, no, it's actually 7:30 because of the time change. As LP and LB play the tickle game in the bed with me, I realize that I probably should go to church. It's going to be a long day, and going to church will kill at least four hours. So we get dressed, go to church and out to eat. We get home at 1:30-- seven more hours. I try to do some work on the computer, but I'm constantly asked, "Can we watch Over the Hedge." Isn't it funny how the very things we buy to entertain our kids can drive us crazy? So as they watched the movie for the tenth time that weekend, I finished my book.
I love my kids more than life itself and often feel guilty about my lack of patience. I don't know how to entertain my kids without the activity becoming a screaming match. I am fasicinated by my sister who plays games, does crafts, cooks and even gets in the kiddie pool with her boys. How does she do that? I know every parent is different and what works for one may not necessarily work for the other. I have four months to go and last night we watched "The Flavor of Love Reunion" episode together. Am I a bad parent or what?
2 comments:
You sound just like me. Though I enjoy church, I often think of it as a time killer with the kids. Those rare days when I think I'll sleep in, I think of the 4 hours I'll have to fill, and I get up and start getting ready. God works in mysterious ways!
Don't get caught up comparing yourself to another mother. I should listen to my own words there myself. Anyway, I feel your pain. I look back at my childhood and remember what it was like. My children do not have those luxuries because their mother is terrified to let them out of her sight.
Even though I'm married and happily so I still consider myself to be a single mother. Most of if not all the child care is on my shoulders. I am the disciplinarian, teacher, storyteller, mediator, etc. Reading your blog sound so like me. I live for my moments when I can read my book in peace or get an extra bit of sleep eye.
So what I believe is our children are going to come out fine. They will not be a drain on society. We've got to believe this. Thanks for answering my question.
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