Monday, September 11, 2006

Time On My Hands?

My husband asked me this weekend if I have enjoyed having a few hours to myself in the mornings now after both my kids go off to school. Well, yes, I have , I reeeeally have. But it isn't as easy as it sounds. The bummer is that the kids don't actually "go off to school". It's me who has to get them there. It's me who has to work really hard in the mornings to get them up and fed and dressed. It's me who has to prompt hair brushing and teeth brushing. It's me who has to make lunches and pack backpacks and TRY to get dressed myself. All by 7:50 AM.

And then it's me who loads them up in the car and drops one off at one school, comes back home, unloads the other, plays "animals" or blocks for a half an hour before loading back up to take the other to her school which is about a half hour commute (all said and done...ONE WAY) unload again, check her in, give her kisses through her tears (click here for that story) and turns around to come back home to "enjoy" my morning.

Two hours FLY by with barely a chance to catch up on email and post a blog entry (our computer is slowly biting the dust - emphasis on slow) and I've got to get back into the car for a trip back to school (the further of the two) only to get out, sign out, and collect my daughter's things and load up (again) to come back home where I fix lunch, visit a while, play a bit, then, if it's all going well and the phone or doorbell doesn't ring, I can maybe try to get into some kind of writing mode enough to actually formualte some sort of idea enough to write and maybe even submit it. The later only happens when the planets are aligned.

But wait, I almost forgot, I have to load us back into the car and go pick up my other daughter at her school, come back home again, give her a snack, visit a while, go over homework and then, look at that, it's time to start thinking about dinner.

So, in theory, this new freedom I have, with all this time on my hands is fantastic. Really, it is. I'm lovin' it.

5 comments:

crazymumma said...

Oh my goodness. I feel your pain. I am in a similar Mommy - go - round type of hell.

Mine are 9 and 4 and I am back and forth all day. I hope your little one feels better soon. Both of my girls traumatized me by crying for so long and so loud in there first weeks of pre school. The devils don't even remember...but I sure have a few more grey hairs!

Good luck!

Anonymous said...

That's how I used to feel lastyear when my daughter only went until 12. It's better now that she goes until 2:15., But all that rush rush in the morning drives me nuts so I'm extra grateful that the huz has been taking her lately.

PS When is your b-day, Ms. Virgo Mama?

Anonymous said...

I think there is some sort of morning algebraic equation where the later you are + how much stuff you still have to get done to get out the door - the help of your husband = the size of the tantrum your child will throw x how many snacks they want for the car ride. No wonder I got a "D" in algebra!

Scoutj said...

Two things. It does get better. I can't believe I have a 4 & 7 year old.

Also, can you carpool? There are 5 of us now doing it and it gives me so much more time to work. I only have to drive to school 2-3 times a week instead of 10. I can't wait until Supergirl is in Kindy next year.....

Anonymous said...

This sounds familiar to me, when my two girls were younger. Now, they're in school every day at the same time for a WHOLE SIX HOURS.

But you know what? I still rush around like a crazy person and have little time to myself. Hmmmm...