I know when blogs I read fall silent I always wonder what's going on in their lives. I hope they're just too busy hanging out and being glamourous, and not ailing or unhappy.
My silence hasn't been for any of these reasons, good or bad. My silence has been due to the sheer exhaustion, frustration, and at times despondence, of full time parenting a particularly demanding and forceful little girl. And who wants to read about that, I replied to my friends this morning?
I can't come here exhausted, after a day of toddler dramatics, and muster any enthusiasm for parenting insights, or happy crafts. I've often so little humour left that I can't even crack a smile post bed time, my stores of creativity depleted, my words all used up, the sound of my own voice grating in my head.
And no one's interested in that right?
This thing about 'mommy blogging' (urgh), is that we walk a fine line between making it all sound too perfect, and using the space to moan and complain. I'm equally irritated by bloggers who do either. I don't like to bad mouth my kids on the internets, but I'm as horrified to hear that anyone reading this blog may think I make it all sound too easy, that our lives look too fun and squeaky clean.
Life has, for a lot of the time in the last few weeks, not been much fun at all. Life has in fact been pretty tough. What I learned from my friends today is that I should be writing about that here too. And what I've learned just from writing this post is that writing, as usual, always makes me feel better.
Today was Sunday's 3rd birthday party. It was the hardest kiddies party I've ever organised, not because of its scale or logistical intricacies, but because I found it really hard to muster the good feeling and energy to celebrate this small girl right now.
After a day of battles and tears, demands and tantrums, it was extremely difficult to brainstorm the ultimate dinosaur cake, or think of ways to make her day extra special. Once she was in bed I wanted to stop thinking about her entirely for a while, to replenish myself with ME.
But I did it, we did it, and it was lovely. She was an angel - she wore a dress! she only freaked out once! she loved everything! she didn't call me 'Bad Mummy' or slap me!
She was sweet and delightful and appreciative and funny ... she was deliciously 3 and I must, I must remember that this too shall pass and one day (soon) I'll look back and wonder at how the time has flown.
Thanks for this and I relate, having a highly challenging and exhausting 3 year old too. Her teacher and other people who interact with her are always saying: Jonny is so sweet, so clever, so considerate, so maternal, so kind. But the Jonny I know has daily tantrums that break me down and test my patience like nothing else. Last night in the bath she screamed so much she couldn't breath (45 mins approx), and this morning during the madness of getting ready for school she cried, screamed, snotted and shouted at me until breathless and coughing again over the fact that I wouldn't put her plastic cats in her school bag. The immense relief of handing her over to her teacher then going to work where everyone is courteous, kind and controlled is worth every cent we pay for school! A 3 year old is a perpetual high volume snot-bomb waiting to go off and we tread on eggshells lest it happen, its nerve-wracking and I have had enough!
ReplyDeleteYup :(
DeleteThat is an awesome costume.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jesse, it was so much fun to make!
DeleteI absolutely Love your dinosaur box creation! And Sunday looks like she is LOVING being a Scary (but glamorous with those eye lashes) Big Dinosaur. :)
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you've been taking strain. I hear you ;) .Sending love and strength. xx