The Most Important Work.
Lately I’ve been feeling equal parts like I desperately need a break from my children because they’re making me crazy…and like I’m not spending enough time with them/enjoying them enough. Does anyone else ever feel all those feels at once?
They seem at odds with each other, but I think they’re actually all part of the same predicament. The less I pause to enjoy them, the more my only interactions with my kids consist of meeting their needs or refereeing arguments, and that is e.x.h.a.u.s.t.i.n.g! It feels even more tiring/frustrating when I feel like every request and argument is pulling me away from some kind of work I’m trying to accomplish. It all adds up to me contemplating my willingness to jump out of a moving vehicle in order to escape hearing the word “mama” said one more time. That’s not how I want to be with my kids.
So today I left the beds out in the RV living room and cuddled with my munchkins while they watched cartoons. I’ve looked them in the eyes and talk to them about things that make them smile. I’ve held my baby and stayed put while my toddler climbed up next to me to drift off to sleep. I’ve stayed off my phone more. I’ve accomplished absolutely nothing else today. But you know what? A funny thing happens when I decide to stop and enjoy my kids: they become very enjoyable to be with. I’m not feeling like running away from home anymore.
Life with a house full of little kids is such a dance. I’m not saying that a break is never in order because wow — it definitely is! But sometimes just pausing to remember to enjoy them is all it really takes and thank goodness for that.
“Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.” – C.S. Lewis
photo credit: Seven McLellan
The struggle is real. Great job articulating it.
OH GIRL! Yes I totally relate to this. I even told my kids once that I changed my name from mother to Fred. Now if I don’t answer them when they are calling out mother, they will literally start calling out Fred. But I love what you did. I need to do that more as well. The two I have left at home are 17 and 8 years old. Their need for more mommy time is still the same, if not more, than it was when they were littles.
Hahaha Wendy, I love it! :) I’m going to come up with something really complicated and hard to pronounce as my substitute name. Maybe that will slow them down. ;) and you know, a friend of mine told me that she thought her kids wouldn’t need her as much as they got older, but she also found that they actually need her more now. That is both daunting and heartwarming all at the same time :)
Thanks, Sharon. :) It definitely is and you know even better than me! :)