Motherhood is one of the most wonderful titles a woman can experience. Of course, these little blessings in our lives are amazing miracles whom we would never trade for the world. But, the truth is that these incredible blessings come with an inborn skill to interrupt. Perhaps the expectancy of a child came as a surprise and was, in that regard, a form of an interruption from the start. No, interruptions are not all bad. But, mom, hold onto your hat because the moment you become a mother, your life changes forever. Here is an account of a typical day in the life of a mother of young children trying to get something done in addition to mothering (in her case, listing items on Ebay). In addition to taking on the task of motherhood, this woman is also a homeschooling mom:
“My day, which is quite typical of any other day since I became a mother:
Children are sweetly sleeping – I wake up happy – the sun is shining – actually get to read a small portion of Ezekial. Sit down to list some Ebay items before children wake up.
Spill entire cup of coffee over pile of Ebay items
Do unexpected load of laundry to clean coffee spill
Clean up coffee spill on wooden puzzle, Furr Real Cat & a Christmas item
Sit with child to do math work
Make Lunch
Rush out to pick up something & go to post office
Get home – It’s nice outside – Kids want to play on sand/water table – wonderful…..I’ll get some time to take pics for Ebay – They’ll get outside time, maybe even some PE.
Get item out to take picture of….Door opens. It’s toddler girl. She’s all wet from sand/water table & done. She strips off her clothes & begins needing my attention.
I continue to take pics with her asking to “holdey” me & talking to me about how she loves me and wants to kiss me & holdey me. … Sweet, but I thought I had time to take some pics while she played with siblings out on deck in sand/water table.
Time for dance class
Dance class
Home from dance class
Make pizza & put hamburgers on stove because son hates hamburger pizza. He’ll eat hamburgers. He’ll eat pizza – but not together apparently.
Sit down to list Ebay
Other daughter reminds me she’s hungry
List Ebay
Pizza done
Get up – cut pizza
Sit down to list Ebay
Son comes through to get chips to eat while watching a movie
Middle daughter comes through twice to get more pizza – Tell middle daughter to just take the pizza into the living room while she watches her movie.
Kids happy watching movie – Mommy can list Ebay —– Wrong!
Toddler girl screams she wants sour cream
Mom tries to list Ebay
Toddler girl continues screaming she wants sour cream
Mom gets up to get sour cream
Toddler girl happy – Son happy – Middle daughter happy
Mom sits down to list Ebay
Toddler girl wants milk with “letters” (Alphabets cereal)
Mom gets up to get milk & letters, serves it up
Mom sits back down to list Ebay
Mom lists one or two items
Toddler girl announces she spilled milk all over herself
Mom says – get a wet wipe & wipe it off (she’s only got a Pullup on now anyway, no clothing).
Toddler girl takes off Pullup & announces she’s poopy.
UGHHHHH!!!! Mom gets up, cleans up Toddler girl & discarded Pullup
Mom sits back down – Toddler girl now naked because I forgot to get Pullups while I was out & we only have a few left – they’re in the van.
Toddler girl is now naked
Mom sits down to express frustration by typing her thoughts then back to Ebay
Middle daughter walks past & has to announce her typical “I love you” as she passes – Sounds sweet, but it always happens when I’m trying to think or talk to someone.
Middle daughter gets ice & water – whistling her straw all the while
Middle daughter walks back past me – Announcing “I love you, mom”…..”I love you too!”>…….I just don’t need to hear it 27 times a day only when I’m attempting to think or write or talk.
O.K. – I’m done………For now.
I will now attempt to list more Ebay items before the next LOVELY interruption & before hubby comes home when all listing ceases because he will be hungry…..Hamburgers now on low on top of stove.
List Ebay, finish dinner & then go out to van to get a Pullup for naked Toddler girl.
Answer email from lady on Ebay wanting to know measurements on an item I did not include in listing. ….Hmmmmmm…Wonder why I forgot to list it on the listing.”
And, for most mothers everywhere, the interruptions will never seem to stop. But, in the words of a wise anonymous person I once heard describe Motherhood as “The days are long, but the years are short!” These words ring in my ears constantly making me always aware of making the best of every interruption in a manner that expresses the truth of my love toward each one of my children.
Happy Mother’s Day!