Monday, August 25, 2008

Lessons Learned

Making the transition from full time working mother to full time stay-at-home mother of four has been a wild and wonderful ride. I am so thankful to have this opportunity to be home with my amazing children. One of the greatest challenges I am facing, which, I think is a challenge for every parent, is to find a balance between time with them and time for myself. I know I am a better mommy (and friend and wife, etc.) when I have breaks and time alone. When I am in the midst of the storm that four children under 8 can be, I long for a quiet moment in which I can catch my breath or even think, but when I get an opportunity for some mommy time, I miss them the minute I pull the car out of the driveway. I feel incomplete when we are apart. Time is passing so quickly, and I don't want to miss a thing. I have to keep trying for that balance.
One lesson I have learned is that a two year old is like a heat-seeking missile - within ten seconds of finding myself without company in the bathroom, there are little footsteps rapidly approaching, followed by a quickly opening door, and then several requests uttered in unison.
So, my days of quietly soaking in the bathtub with a book and a glass of wine have been replaced by being made into "mommy soup" with pretend food floating all around me, and I am enjoying it immensely.

3 comments:

ara133photography said...

Mommy soup - I love it! :) LOL!

Great blog Allie!!!

Janice said...

I love those red shoes! I bought a whimsical piece from a fellow artisan in Glastonbury. It's a whimsical take on the wizard of oz and those shoes have been poly'd onto the painting. So of course I am going to be drawn to that print of yours! It's gorgeous!

bbb said...

Allie, I really understand how you feel. I was a SAHM and I do really know, sometimes we need a little break time from diapers, wipes, toys and whining :)