As summer continues to blaze through, I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on what I have learned as a parent, and as a person.
Teachers and daycare workers don’t get paid enough.
With three (extremely) active children, there have been moments when I wanted to get in the fetal position and moan over the last several weeks of summer. Granted, I love my children dearly. But how can a person I brought into this world test my patience and sanity so much?
I feel like I have added personal chef, negotiator, entertainer and seamstress to my resume. When I am not feeding my children, I am breaking up a fight or scrubbing unknown stains out of shirts.
Yes, it’s summer. And I can’t wait for school season to roll back around. I know that sounds harsh, but I also know there are some of you reading this and nodding your head in agreement.
“Shut the door” has rolled out of my mouth at least a thousand times. I can’t tell you how many times I have sat in something wet that no one can explain why it is even wet in the first place. My yard is to the point where there are no limbs because all have been stripped in the search of the “perfect switch.”
My adorable children remind me daily that they are bored. Apparently, I am boring as well. I inform them that I am not an entertainer and then suggest few chores that would give them something to do. For the record, they never accept my suggestions.
I spend all that money on toys, movies and cartoon channels. It’s a beautiful sunny day outside. Yet…there is never anything to do.
And it seems like I have spent nearly a million dollars on food this summer. Where do they put it? After feeding my kids three hot dogs a piece, two jugs of punch, a whole baking sheet of fish sticks, stacks of Fig Newtons, numerous honeybuns, containers of strawberries that are devoured in one sitting and a whole orchard of apples…. they are starving. And in these fits of starvation, they roll around under my feet moaning about how their stomachs are empty and how there is never anything to eat in this house.
And do you want to hear something wild? My children think the best addition to this mountain of chaos is to invite even more children over to spend the night.
But those chaotic moments are worth it when I see the look on my children’s face as they slide down a Slip-n-Slide. I love those wet kisses, complete with red stained Kool-Aid lips. I love the movie nights with popcorn and homemade forts. I enjoy watching lightning bugs with my baby boy sitting in my lap. I love those dance numbers performed by my little girl. And I love those deep conversations with my oldest son after the younger kids go to bed.
Summer is a stressful time at moments. But it’s all worth it in the end. I am making memories with my children, with a few hiccups (and a few wet spots) along the way.
