photo credit: Music Man5
What is ‘normal’?
It ‘s a question that I’ve asked myself a lot lately – since most of what my girls and I knew as our ‘normal’ everyday routine and life has been turned upside down. Not in a bad way, necessarily – but certainly things are different, and it’s taking some getting used to on all of our parts.
For example – and I’m sure many (if not all!) of you can relate…
- Then: taking a shower at 6:30 am every morning in relative quiet, while able to think about what the day would bring.
Now: lucky to be showered and dressed by noon. Interrupted in the shower by a litany of “Mom!”, “Mom!”, “Mom!” coming from the kitchen. You would think that this would be Becca – but no, I come to find out that it was Abby, sitting at the kitchen table, wanting her sandwich cut. How she thought I could manage that from the shower…. - Then: Having my thoughts in order enough to whip out a coherent and (hopefully) witty or meaningful blog post during a lunch hour at work.
Now: Trying to eat lunch while typing this post. Had to stop and wash down a toddler with cheesy fingers and face, then realized she was stinky, so changed her diaper – all while hoping that the cat would leave my sandwich alone. Escaped back into the home office – shutting the baby gate to give me at least a few minutes alone in which to type. Is this post anywhere near coherent? You tell me…
- Then: Complaining to friends and family that the office at work was so quiet that you could hear every little page turn or keyboard tap, while everyone concentrated on their work.
Now: Quiet? I don’t think such a thing truly exists.
But…
- Then: Dropping off a clinging toddler who wants nothing more than to give me just one more hug at daycare. Watching the clock from my desk, wondering what my kids are up to at any given moment.
Now: Knowing in every exhausting detail, what my kids are doing, with whom, and for how long. Being the recipient of sticky-faced, jelly-flavored kisses any time I want. - Then: Trying to squeeze all activities, such as swimming lessons, into already short evenings and still get everyone to bed on time so they won’t be tired and grumpy the next day.
Now: Enjoying our evenings since swimming lessons are in the afternoons. Bedtimes are – flexible.
“Mom?”, “Mom?”, “Mom?”, “Open gate!” There is a little 2-year-old monkey hanging on the safety gate clad in only a diaper. Do I want to know where her clothes ended up?
Excuse me – I’ll be right back.
Is this new ‘normal’ any better or worse than that which was our reality day in and day out for years? And how will this ‘normal’ change once school starts in less than two weeks… The summer is fleeting and over much too quickly – yet I am anxious for the structure and routine that the school year will bring.
So what will be our ‘normal’ a month from now? A year? Two years? Five?? All I know for sure is that it will look different from what our life is like now. But in what ways, and to what extent, only time will tell.
My choices now affect not just my ‘normal’ – but that of my kids as well. Do I stay home and explore what this new life means for me, and for them – or do I pursue a new job opportunity that would return us to some semblance of what we always knew of as ‘normal’?
So many questions – and so many options. So many versions of what is ‘normal’.
“Mom?”, “Mom?”, “Mom?”
My sandwich is gone, there’s a little monkey back hanging on the gate and it’s time to get the girls ready for their last day of swimming lessons.
Just a normal day.
This post was written as a submission for the August Group Writing Project over at MamaBlogga, on the topic of “the new normal”.
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August 20th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Ah yes, normal. WHat was that again? I’ve been at home for 7 years now. Is it possible it’s been that long? Now I’m doing the opposite of you. Dylan starts school a week from Friday and it appears that he’ll be riding the bus in the morning so I’ll have time after they leave to shower in peace and then go to work in the mornings. I’m not sure I’m ready for that life again.
Good luck finding your normal and enjoying your kids.
Bethns last blog post..My big 7 year old
August 20th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Awesome post.. I’m thinking this how I’m going to be feeling very soon.
Jeans last blog post..Wordless Wednesday-How Do Ya Like Me Now
August 20th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
This was really well written, Deb. Great job!
Thea @ I’m a Drama Mamas last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – Pretty Things
August 20th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Your life now sounds a lot like my life and ya know what, I really enjoy it….but I’ll be glad when school starts. LOL
Tammys last blog post..Blog Commenting
August 20th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I just love this post, Deb! You said it all perfectly — in spite of all the chaos, they’re sure worth it, aren’t they?
Childlifes last blog post..Once Upon A Time …
August 20th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
How fun! I’m sure you’ll miss all this when their teenagers and don’t want to talk to you anymore!
Jennifers last blog post..Dog + Baby = Misery
August 21st, 2008 at 10:06 am
Wow! This was a great post!! You made me tear up, very good!!
Normal is always changing, isn’t it?
Melanies last blog post..What I’ve Been Up To
August 21st, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I loved this post, it’s a great submission! Your day is so much like mine, school is back in session so it is a little more busy. This is a wonderful time for you and your little ones, they will have wonderful memories of when you were at home with them. Something to cherish for sure!
August 21st, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Oh, wow – can I relate! Especially to the whole “showering thing!” Great post! Speaking of great posts, I wanted you to know that I have just given you an award
Love your blog and thought you deserved one! You can pick it up over on my site now. Congrats!
Elizabeths last blog post..And the winners are…
August 21st, 2008 at 3:04 pm
This is a wonderful post. I would love to make a list of my own.
I gave you an award on my last post. Put it on your blog and nominate 7 more.
Lydias last blog post..I Got My First Award!!!
August 21st, 2008 at 3:51 pm
It is so true – one person’s normal is another extraordinary. The impotant thing is to balance life – great post.
Doll Clothes Gals last blog post..Mom/Daughter Activities
August 21st, 2008 at 6:53 pm
While I loved having the girls home from school all summer, I love the school year more. There are no long days of whining about how bored someone is. While they are away at school I actually can sit and work for 6 or 7 hours uninterupted, which means when they get home I can stop working for the day. I love being able to volunteer at the school and I love Brownies, which starts next week!!
Im not sure if there is much of a “normal” where kids are involved. If there is a ‘normal” isnt it fun to be abnormal once in a while or for a few years?? Enjoy your time home with your jelly-faced, half-dressed kiddos!!
Lisas last blog post..First Day Update
August 21st, 2008 at 11:29 pm
One of my bosses years ago had this cartoon that said, “Just when I learned all the answers, they changed all the questions.” How true that is! I’ve discovered that “normal” is nonexistent, but life and the journey and all the changes are a great ride!
As you settle into your new normal of homelife, I’m leaving that normal to the new one of part-time office work and a new job. Funny how things change.
Debbie Yosts last blog post..Highchair Angsts
August 25th, 2008 at 1:43 am
I only worked a couple hours a day before Rebecca was born, but MAN, that time has made a huge difference over the last month! I thought I’d miss it and be antsy to get back, but not so far.
Good luck with this transition time!
Jordan (MamaBlogga)s last blog post..Change: a constant of motherhood
August 25th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
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