Dazed and Kerfuffled

The alarm rings every morning between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m. My soon-to-be husband gets ready for work and wakes me with a gentle good morning and a kiss to let me know he's on his way out. Not a bad way to start the day. After my shower I help to get my two older kids ready for school and my toddler her breakfast, once she decides what that is going to be of course. When that's done, I sigh and relax and wonder " what to do now?"

Home life varies from day-to-day and person-to-person. I am a 36 year-old mom who is home everyday with and for her kids, a recent grad student who is searching for work on a regular basis, and a soon-to-be wife who doesnt' like to do housework ...but I do. I have three beautiful kids. My oldest daughter is 12, my son is nine, and my youngest daughter is two. Yes, there is a bit of a gap in the ages I know. My oldest daughter is a regular chatter box going through puberty (yeh for me - where's the rule book, somebody please tell me), and is very independant. My son is very emotional, has the biggest heart of any child I know, and is very into technology. Does the phrase "is there anybody in there" ring a bell? Lastly, my youngest is in her toddler years. That says it all I think as to how busy she can be. She can certainly fill my day.

My kids come home around lunch everyday for approximately one hour and then they're gone again. If the weather permits, I try to get out and go for a walk with my daughter who we've nicknamed "goose" or do some gardening. Something outside with her for the sake of some fresh air. When the weather doesn't agree, well, then I become the "dazed and kerfuffled". I honestly don't know what to do with myself when my days are repeated so often the same.

After school is mid-afternoon. What ever happened to 3:00 or 3:30 p.m? It's 2:05 and 2:35 p.m. now. The kids come home, tell me they have no homework and then, "ooops, I didn't realize I had this", or "I forgot this is due tomorrow".....hello. I've since come to realize it is necessary to check their bags and check in with the teacher even when it's not parent teacher.

Supper. "What would you like me to take out for supper sweetie?" He replies saying "What are you in the mood for, is there something in particular you'd like to have?" I reply saying "no, nothing special just hoping you might have some ideas." This is an almost daily conversation between my fiance and myself. Something so little as supper has become a " tired of the same ole thing". I like to spice things up as does he but it doesn't always work for the kids. Fussy eaters who very much like routine.

After supper things sort of wind down a bit. For the most part each of them have an extra curriclular activity at some point through the week to help keep them busy. They do their teeth, say good-night and don't let the bed bugs bite as we tuck them in. Then we wait two minutes before we hear "mom" or "dad, I forgot my drink." Lol. I can laugh at it now.

My fiance and I try to get some quality time in even to just snuggle and watch tv. With three kids it's not always easy. As I sit here and type this.

A new day is hopefully different.


So......"dazed and kerfuffled" when everyday is the same. Something has to change. I don't think too much routine is healthy.

Goodnight,

Bella