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| Kids Stuck To You Like a Squirrel Monkey? (sfexaminer.com) |
When my kids were little, it was as if all three of them had some sort of invisible Velcro and were, literally, connected to me, stuck to me, duct-taped to me 24/7.
Their little bodies clinging to Mama -- poking in my ears, batting my head, banging on the bathroom door, eating off my plate. As if I was one of those wide-eyed tree monkeys with three adorable but constant little babies clinging to my back as I leapt from branch to branch. Their very survival seemed to hinge on crawling back up inside me and being on top of me at every waking – and sleeping – moment…
Let’s just say, for YEARS there was not a lot of personal space around here.
At the time, like a wide-eyed, mama monkey, I tolerated it because, a) I was in a fog of exhaustion and there was no perspective other than daily survival and Cheerio replenishment: “We - can - NOT - run - out - of - Cheerios!!!” and, b) I didn’t know any better. I didn’t have a wise, all-knowing Mommy Whisperer reminding me – hey, get out, find your space, breathe, they’ll be fine……….
Which is why, now, years the wiser and having found some better windshield wipers to get me through that fog, I find myself giddy with WHOOPIE!!! as I click “Enter” and book a trip for myself this Spring to go and play in the National Parks of Southern Utah without my beloved but Saran Wrappy children.
A trip for ME!
And god-bless my husband and various child-care folks for taking them on while I’m gone. They will all survive. And possibly thrive? Creating new networks of reliance and healthy-dependence within their own little unit as I sneak out, break free, run-run-as-fast-as-I can to the bright orange rocks of a distant land for a few days and nights of un-fettered hiking, kayaking, canyoneering, and zippedy-doo-dah-ing all day long!
A little me time. A little Outdoorsy Mama time. A reconnection inside. So that I can come home and give my best with more strength and passion and patience. And so I can enjoy and appreciate the undying love of my 24/7 plastered to me little creatures…. Until next year!
Book it now.
Namaste & Three Cheers! - OM
I am with you 100%! After my twins were born last summer I quickly discovered I needed "me" time or I would go crazy. Now Tuesday nights are all mine to do whatever I want. This past week I was able to leave at least my older kids at home while I zipped off for a free day in San Francisco and it was amazing how rejuvenated I was being able to go slow and focus on little things because no one was screaming or tugging or running away. http://www.alocalwander.com/2013/04/solo-in-san-francisco.html
ReplyDeleteHave fun in southern Utah!
hey michelle! another twin mom!!! good for you guys for getting Tuesdays set up -- that's almost a miracle! ;) and so so smart. so smart. ooh, i'm looking forward to checking out your link -- we're on spring break so v little computer time this week as we're heading camping... (i'm currently searching for our "sporks"...) enjoy this weather! :) :)
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