Time for a Change (or The Inmates are Running the Asylum)

Today was my official last day of being a work-in-the-home mom for the summer. Once upon a time I thought teaching was the perfect profession to pair with motherhood. I mean, I get all my vacations at the right times to keep my kids. I didn't believe I would have to choose career or family because for roughly three months of the year I could just focus on family. Then for the rest of it, I could "earn my keep" (just ask my hubby about how I love to spend money).

Oh silly, silly me.

We had one kid and this system seemed to work out. I mean it was pretty boring being stuck at home with an infant because most things for kids require them to be at least 4 or 5 years old. However, I managed and realized, since he was such a great infant who could often sit quietly and entertain himself with a few toys, that my summer didn't really change much. I could still devote time to planning for the upcoming school year.

Then we had another kid. Now, before I continue I want it understood that I ADORE my children and wouldn't trade them for the world. However, two kids changes a LOT. For instance, my second son is incredibly demanding of my time. He is not content to sit quietly and entertain himself with a few toys. Actually, if left for even a few seconds, one could possibly find him removing the grate and crawling into the air vents (ours are by the floors). Or one might find him unzipping and emptying out all the stuffing in the couch cushions. One might even catch him as he manages to remove his diaper WITHOUT removing his pants. And just recently he has figured out how to remove all of his clothing.

This has made my summer quite an adventure. Luckily, my oldest is finally old enough to participate in the cool stuff going on in the city. He attended a drama camp at the Children's Theater (his favorite), a camp at the Arboretum, and a three day art camp to create a mosaic. We also had our week long family vacation in Pittsburgh, so a lot of the summer has been eaten away simply by these things. And yet, the times we've spent at home are starting to take their toll. Even with a splashpad down the road, storytime at the library on a weekly basis, and a swimming pool in our back yard; working in the home with two young children has completely worn me out.

For starters simply feeding them is an experience. They eat three meals and two snacks a day. Last year I tried to be a "good" mom and put together healthy but fun lunches and snacks to make sure their bodies got what was best. Yeah, that lasted maybe a month. I just couldn't watch them and make sure everything was prepared appropriately. Plus, some of the grown-ups in my household aren't necessarily pleased with what so many parenting magazines consider "healthy and fun" snacks. This summer I realized that a 5 year old is content with PB&J every day for lunch while his 2 year old brother will gladly eat pieces of ham and cheese and one slice of bread.

Next came the changes in naptime. I used to love naptime. That meant I had TWO WHOLE HOURS to myself. I would usually lay in the pool for 30-45 minutes and then come in and read or sleep until the kids woke up. It was heavenly. Well, my 5 year old starts Kindergarten in three weeks meaning no more naps since he'll go all day. We tried that. It sucked. Instead, we made him take a 20 minute nap and then get up. However, his younger brother still needs a nap just not a long one. If the 2 year old naps for more than an hour, he will not go to sleep before midnight. All of this to say that I had to time the naps which meant no more relaxing for me. Boo.

Finally, my kids are social beings (even though the 2 year old is turning out to be quite shy and a homebody). They are daycare kids. They need that kind of interaction and stimulation. As much as they may love me, I cannot provide everything that the daycare does. So we have arrived at the point in the summer where they start acting out out of boredom and slowly driving me crazy. The oldest is starting to talk back and argue even calling my husband an "idiot" the other day. Unacceptable. The youngest insists on being held ALL THE TIME. And when he doesn't get his way the fits are becoming more and more dramatically epic. I am starting to resent my husband for being able to leave for business lunches and meetings (he usually works from home) simply because he gets to leave the house and the kids.

It is to the point where I almost don't care that the youngest opened and emptied his sippy cup all over the couch and ottoman for the second day in a row. I sit at the dinner table and just stare at my oldest and attempt to listen to his endless jabber about everything. It pretty much zaps my energy which I'd like to start putting towards lesson plans and getting ready for the school year. Have I started ignoring the screaming and arguing when it is in another room? Maybe. It never lasts long and as long as they are making noise I know they aren't getting into any real trouble.

So am I complaining about my role at mom during the summer? Does this mean I'm unhappy? Nah. All it really means is that summer is coming to an end. We can all feel it. I'm ready to be back in my classroom even though there still won't be enough time to get everything done. My youngest is ready to return to daycare even though he will probably throw a fit on Monday when I drop him off. My oldest is ready for his newest adventure in Kindergarten even though he still has a few weeks to wait.

It is just time. Time for summer to transition into fall. Time for a new season, school year, and chapter in life. Time for...time for...

Time for me to go to bed (seriously, I'm exhausted).