Wednesday, September 22, 2010
It Matters More Now
It's funny how before my kids were born I had all this time to write, think, keep my house in order, play the piano, and all the other things that keep me grounded and full of purpose, but now that my kids are born, well, making time to work at these things is pretty darn hard, but doing them matters so much more to me. It's like, when I write something now, it seems more lasting, more precious to me somehow. Maybe my kids will want to read through my journals someday, and maybe they won't, or maybe they will just like to know that they have something their mother wrote in their possession. Whatever the situation may someday be...I'd like to leave words behind for my girls that mean something to them. And when my kids hear me playing the piano every now and again, I want them to hear something sweet or comforting in the music, rather than hearing "old classical music and hymns that mom played instead of spending time with us". And I certainly don't want washing dishing to trump getting down on the floor and playing memory with my kids, but I do want them to have a comfortable, clean home in which to thrive. So, how in the heck do I not cross over this fine line from working at things that matter in special ways to the dark side of a mom too into "me time" and her own pursuits to remember to notice and really see her children? For all you mommies with passions and hobbies and dreams out there, this is not a rhetorical question. Seriously...how do y'all suggest keeping on the right side of the line? At this point...I'm thinking it shouldn't be that big of a problem, because I am thinking of my daughters and my role as a mother in some way as I perform every little task I do. But I realize that as kids grow up and become more independent, then this may be more difficult to do...maybe?...I don't know.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Not that I've been in this mom business long, but I do have one... a great one actually. In my opinion, you have to be able to have "me time" in order to be a good mom. It's about balance. Do get in the floor and play memory, or peek-a-boo -a fav at our house. When you find them playing by themselves get off the floor and find something that you need or want to do whether it's laundry or writing the next best seller. Kids need to be able to play independently. I'm sure you already know all that, you are great mommy!! =)
ReplyDeleteEven if I think I may already know that, like you said, Julie, it is something that I need to hear from other mommies every now and then, I think. So thanks for posting the comment. It helped me feel a little more okay about taking some time to breathe every now and then, ya know? And I love that you mentioned laundry. Isn't that strange that laundry used to be a chore, but now it counts as "me time"...haha. You are so right though. It is amazing how much smoother my day goes and how much calmer I feel if I take even five minutes to do something for myself, like driving through Starbucks for a cup of coffee. It really is the little things.
ReplyDelete