Parenthood
Time for school
When the last of Naomi's three kids is off to school it takes time to adjust to the "weekday empty nest"
nother new begining.
My 30’s have been quite an experience to say the least. It all began with the birth of my eldest son; a time that was hugely exciting but also terribly scary. Everyone told us it would be life changing, but until you have your own children you will never be able to imagine the extent of this truth. Three years and three kids’ later things got even crazier!
I could write a book on all the ups and downs I’ve experienced along the way. Having three children in three years, losing my mum to cancer, managing a house renovation, moving house twice, being made redundant and then starting my own business, not to mention the health issues that have come with all of it.
But this year saw the start of another episode in my life. I have spent the last few years counting down the days and now it’s here. The last of my ‘babies’ started school in September and now it’s time for me to get back a little life of my own. No more sitting through story time at Bertie & Boo. No more freezing cold winter mornings pushing my kids on the swings. No having to appease a young child with sugary snacks whilst I catch up with friends over coffee. I get to walk home from school with no baggage and no more dragging whinging siblings to school pickups. No more cranky kids waking up from lunchtime naps. No more wracking my brain over what semi-healthy lunch I can make for my picky toddlers that I have some hope they will eat. No more guilt about putting on another DVD, just so I can have a 5-minute break or a half hour nap.
After a few months I am finding myself settling into this new routine. However much I thought about this period and believed it was what I wanted, it hasn’t been easy. The strange empty feeling I get when I realise I am at home alone. I can feel a bit lost. On a Sunday as I put the leftover roast in the fridge I think about how Jess would love that for lunch tomorrow; before I realise she won’t be having her lunch at home with me. It won’t be long before the Christmas holidays come round, and I am sure that by the end of those two weeks I will be more than ready for them to go back to school again! But I am working at making the most of the time we do have together. I know how quickly the time flies.
As most mums will tell you, a school day is unbelievably short. I have barely any time in the day to myself. It sounds silly when you say it out loud but it’s true. So whatever time I do have for myself I relish. I feel that I have earned the right to take some time out. I enjoy being able to go to the supermarket without having to negotiate what I buy. I can walk at my own pace. I refuse to feel guilty sitting down and watching an episode or two of a DVD box set, heaven knows between my kids and my husband I never get first choice of the TV channel otherwise. I will meet friends for a coffee, buy that delicious slice of chocolate cake and eat it all by myself. I know that my job of being a mum is 24/7, and if I am going to be the best mum I can be, I need to learn how take care of myself.
When I turned 30, if anyone had told me what I was in for, I would have run a mile! But I am glad I didn’t. I know that at the end of the day I am a very lucky woman and have many blessings that I am very thankful for.
A