Too much TV, too many cookies, not enough sunlight. I’m guilty of all of this sometimes.
I’m a mom, I’m human, I have feelings, I have stress, I have needs, I have responsibility. All of this runs through my mind each day. Each decision that is made affects everything and everyone around me. Should I take the kids to the park or do a craft indoors? If I choose staying in will they get bored faster and have too much energy later in the day. If we go to the park do I run the risk of not getting chores in the house done? There’s a consequence for everything I do. Dealing with the balance each day is a struggle that I KNOW so many other parents work through.
My own workload is backing up. I didn’t get up early enough to work in peace before the kid’s day starts. The tv acts as the entertainment for an hour while I pump through email and my checklist. A little Kick Buttowski never hurt anyone right. I mean the worst that happens is Shae picks up a phrase like “Aw, biscuits”. I DO make sure they’ve eaten a balance breakfast, brushed their teeth and made their beds. Don’t I deserve some credit here?
Friday night is Pizza and Movie night. It’s been that way for almost 4 years. This is the time Rob and I get to sit, have a meal together (sans kids) watch a show or movie we’ve been holding off on all week and spend time together. The kids suffer along the way too. They have to take their pizza and snacks into Shaun’s room and eat picnic style while watching an agreed upon movie. Poor kids with their bedroom tvs, iPods, laptops and gaming systems. Don’t get me wrong, we have many completely unplugged days. Days where board games are piling the kitchen table; days where glitter glue is covering skin up to the elbows and days where sitting on the deck just chatting has been the highlight of the week. It’s all about balance
We are a modern family with modern conveniences but that doesn’t mean we’ve lost the importance of one on one time with real talking and playing. I use what I can to keep my family happy and sane. I make no apologies about it. I’m tired of all the mommy guilt because we all don’t serve home grown organic snacks, homeschool, breastfeed till college and sew each article of clothing that touches our child’s skin.
Parents need to come together and realize that we do things differently and it’s OK. Let it go already and stop being so judgy.
