Yesterday was one of those days where I felt my job performance (as a Mom) was below par. Though below par is actually a good thing when it comes to golf, but the saying somehow has the reverse meaning.
Emily had woken up twice the night before. She normally wakes up once. I’m not bragging or trying to flaunt anything. She just normally likes to sleep. A lot. So much so that I’ve even worried that maybe she’s sleeping too much. I know. It’s stupid. But then yesterday, she had only short naps and was nursing more frequently. Then I started to worry that maybe my milk was poopy. Or I wasn’t reading her “signs” right. I just can’t be happy it seems, whether she’s sleeping or not sleeping.
Lately I’ve been limiting my Internet time from where it was. I try to only be on here when she’s nursing, and that hasn’t been as frequently as it used to be. Then when she has her long naps I try to play a lot with the boys as opposed to leaving them to just play while I get things done.
Because really? Things never will be “done”.
I also find that the more I get down to their level, the better our day goes all around. They fight less, and I get frustrated less. There’s less “bad attitude” on both their part…and my part.
In addition to short naps by Miss Emily yesterday, I had a lot of stuff that needed to get done. Work stuff, bank stuff, blah, blah, blah. Then I also spent way more time on the computer than I needed to. I was excited to see who was de-lurking…and then worrying that my post was too negative. Was my post offensive? Was I too whiny? I was whining, but I was also lacking sleep. Sorry. I shouldn’t complain about no power; others have had their power go out for much longer periods.
I’m pretty happy to hear from those of you who commented for the first time. Nice to meet you!
My one-on-one (or two-on-one) time with the boys was pretty scarce. The boys also have colds, which didn’t help the situation what with the neediness that accompanies that. When everyone was in bed last night I collapsed on the couch in defeat. Kicking myself for being such a “removed” parent.
Today, however, is a new day.
Emily only woke up once last night. She also was back to her normal napping routine. In fact, she’s having nap number three while I write this. Matthew took the boys into town to get take-out (a rare thing for us; I usually cook), and he’s also going to rent a movie. Another thing we don’t often do.
The boys and I also had a much better day. I SHUT OFF my computer. I built towers, I played with Hot Wheels and “we” played with Play-Doh. By “we”, I mean “I”. Graham plays with it, I guess, but both of them mostly get me to make stuff for them. Graham asked me to make a cow. Here’s Bessie:
Then Nathan asked me to make a dog. Here’s Buster:
Then Nathan wanted a cow too. Here’s Daisy:
What?
You don’t think I should give up accounting for art? Really? That hurts.
Not really, but I hope you get a little smile out of the “animals” I made. Is it me, or do they look remarkably similar to each other, save for the colours?
Have a good weekend, folks.
I’m partial to buster the blue dog. Very cute. As far as having a ‘below par’ day, we ALL have them. Lots of them. The fact that you even noticed and made today better makes you a fantastic mom. On top of other things, of course.
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LOL, I was just going to say all 3 of those animals looked pretty much the same!!
But all lovely, nonetheless.
I have to agree with the previous poster. A “bad” mom wouldn’t have even noticed (or cared) that she had spent too long on the computer and not enough time playing. So the fact you noticed says more than anything else. Be proud, you are are great mommy and we ALL have days where we could have done better. Such is life!
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I love playdough!!! They look great. I think that we all feel at one point of time or another that we can be better parents. Jillian has to entertain herself a lot because of my studying, I always feel guilty.
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I think mom guilt can wrack you daily but the right attitude is to remember it’s a balance and while there are days like today when you can give your kids oodles, there are also days you need to take and do the more grown up stuff. You’re a fabu mom and I’m sure your kids and hubby tell you all the time, believe them!
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Cute menagerie! Glad you’re having a better day today, enjoy your weekend!
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Your play doh creations are lovely all such happy looking creatures…
Was Emily having her 3 month old growth spurt?
Great job on making today a better one, I do the same thing sometimes. Other things just need to get done and then at the end of the day I just feel like Marin got abandoned. Then I feel guilty and then I make the next day better. Things that need to be done never end and neither do the things I want to do… ahh life!
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They do look similar…
That was a great post Ange, I can relate to below par days.
You are a great mom and your kids (and Matthew) are blessed to have you!
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That mommy guilt…you just can’t win. My mother tells me I need to let my kids learn to play on their own sometimes to teach them that their mommy has things other than playing to do! But it is hard. I know what you mean about it being easier to get down and play with them…less noise, less yelling and fights…generally happier for everyone. But it does get tiring and we all need a break. Especially after hours and hours of lego and playdo and boy toys!! Thank goodness spring is coming and we can all get outdoors!
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That’s way better than I can do with playdough! And great colour choices!
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You’re right in that things will never be done. Good for you for taking the time to really focus on those sweet kids of yours…you’re a much better blogger than sculptor!
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We all have our moments when we doubt our ability as a mother. I know I have been having that alot lately with Kynan. And it seems to happen to alot of other moms judging on peoples comments. I love that you got the play dough out, because yesterday I was feeling Kynan and I weren’t getting enough play time in either and I wanted to get our out too. You are a great mom, never think otherwise.
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Awesome! I love it and I’ll bet the boys do too!
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I’m just glad to hear other moms feel the way I do sometimes. Don’t be so hard on yourself. I should really get of this internet and get to my heaps of laundry.
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Angella you are an awesome mom! Don’t be so hard on yourself. And your play-doh animals are cute… probably better than what i could do, so that counts for something right?
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Haha, that was the first thing I noticed, that they looked very similar. I always loved making play-doh at home from scratch which I guess is actually called play-dough, but same fun! And you can make any colour YOU want!
I agree with you when you say getting down to their level is the best thing to help things go a lot smoother! I find as a teacher, getting down to their level really opens them up and makes them feel as though they are on the same level as you – in both meanings of the word. I usually skip sitting on the “teacher chair” during carpet time and sit on the carpet in the circle with them…they love it! Keep havin’ fun with your kiddies!
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:p that’s me sticking my tongue out at you for your nice sleepy baby!! Mine’s wonderful but not much of a sleeper..and I think the one cow had wings..i always wondered how they jumped over the moon…
Sounds like a great day and believe me I am in wonder of your mommyness! You rock!
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I have those days often as of late, and I really don’t like em’! I’d say hands down that parenting is the most challenging, important (and rewarding) job there is…so failure (or sub-par performance) at it hurts, especially someone like myself who fears failure and is a major perfectionist! And I’m just starting out on this gig…I guess I better learn to let go or I’m not going to make it through the next 18+ years!!!
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I love the animals… I have fun with Play doh too but I like to make food instead.
Do you remember the CA billboard that said, Jack of all trades, master of all of them? We could do a sequel with our play doh art!!! I think that might take out the pomposousness (however you spell that!) of that statement a bit
I too discovered the off button on my computer. I have to remember to live in the real one too!
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