by LARA CAIN GRAY
This morning I walked out on my family. I picked up the keys, strolled out the door and locked it behind me, so that no one could follow. Just when we were about to head off on the school run, I threw my hands in the air and left three young children to fend for themselves. But before you go ringing the authorities or some exposé style TV show, let me assure you I already put myself on the naughty step. I should explain.
No parent is a stranger to having ‘one of those days’, but for the past few weeks it’s seemed like every day was one of those days. We’ve been beset by winter cold and flu bugs at our house. They’ve been running a baton relay around the family; just as one of us starts to feel better it’s ‘Tag! You’re it!’ and the next one goes down. It has left all of us depleted and irritable, making our way through a pharmacy of remedies and needing extra cuddles and extra personal space in equal doses.
At night, there’s been more bed-hopping than a swingers’ party as my husband and I run the production line of tissues and sips of water and taking turns in the Big Bed. I can’t remember the last time my husband and I touched; when our three children are awake they’re between us and when they’re asleep we escape to separate ends of the house craving precious solitude and silence.
Top Comments
I think Librarians struggle with motherhood more than most too - as a fellow Librarian and mother of two the lack of order and quiet clashes with our sensibilities!
I have really started to savour getting in the car - I put the kids in through the passenger side door and then shut the door.
It is about 5 seconds of blissful peace and quiet as I make my way around the car to the drivers side door.
Relate completely with this.