Carson and Ella will both be in preschool two days a week this school year. They start Thursday.
I am BEYOND EXCITED.
Tate doesn’t understand my excitement at all. “You’ll miss them when they’re gone all day, you know that, right?” He’s said this to me on more than one occasion.
The truth is, I’m not going to miss them while they are at school. They’ll only be gone for a total of twelve hours each week. Out of the approximately 72+ awake hours a week I will continue to spend with them, I think those twelve hours while they are at school will be a long awaited blessing.
My excitement is so much less about being away from them, but instead it’s about being able to accomplish things without strategic, long term planning. It’s been almost five years since I’ve been able to make plans completely on my own. Every thing that I’ve done since having kids has either been when Tate is available to watch the kids, or I’ve had to plan errands and exercise around the kid’s meal and nap times.
I’m going to make hair, dentist, doctor, and eye appointments without having to clear the appointment time with Tate or find a babysitter.
I’m going to go to the grocery store without packing my purse full of snacks, Capri Suns, toys, and a change of underwear for Ella.
I can run errands at lunch time, instead of between the hours of 9:30 and 11:00.
I’m going to browse shops with fragile items.
I’m going to eat my lunch in peace, sitting down for the whole meal instead of getting up to refill someone’s milk cup or clean up spills.
I’ll be able to hop out of the car and just run in (to the grocery store, the liquor store!!!, the convenience store, anywhere I want!) I won’t have to unbuckle one kid from his carseat, then run around to the other side of the car and unbuckle the other kid from her carseat, then hold little hands, and slowly make our way.
I’m going to go for a run without pushing Ella in a stroller and keeping Carson from falling off his bike as he follows me.
I’m going to take a shower without an audience.
I’m going to do it on my time.
I’m going to putter.
I’m going to breathe.
I can be independent again, even if it’s only for twelve hours per week.
And in my independence, I think I can become me again. And when I’m me again, I’m going to love my children even more and be the very best mom I can be.
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Speaking of the kids going to school, check out their new back to school duds courtesy of TJ Maxx/Marshalls over here!
Just jealous here……enjoy your time!!
So so happy for you! But going to have to say it sucks for me. We didn’t move here in time to get little man in a preschool. He’s #3 on the waitlist. Thinking of having the other 2 bribed just to get him bumped up. Thought about having them whacked, but that just seemed a little cruel. I think a couple of m&m’s will do the trick. I want to be able to go in the liquor store for a 40 anytime I want, like you. Enjoy your time!
.-= Heidi´s last blog ..The bloodhound =-.
I’m happy for you, too. The 12 hours will mean good things for the whole family.
.-= Rebecca at Toothwhale´s last blog ..Shrimp crunch salad =-.
I put L is daycare one day per week when he was about 18 months and have kept it up. Now S is joining him there. Having my day is amazing. A lot of it is spent running errands, sure, but they are unencumbered errands. This means I can make multiple stops. Get in and out of the car dozens of times if I want to. It’s a good thing! Oh, and it’s been great for L too. He loves it there, and so does S! Enjoy your time!!
Cheers to you! And, cheers to Carson and Ella! It is going to be great for all of you to experience a sense of freedom. As a mom of two kids myself – 8 and 5 – it is a wonderful time of growth for everyone and you are 100% right – you will be a better mom for it! Enjoy your lunch uninterrupted, your bathroom time without visitors, and the chance to book appointments without it feeling like you are planning the logistics of a small vacation.
I was sad that Sabrina started preschool this year – but not because she would be gone just because it meant she was growing up. I was sad because of what it represented. BUT I love being able to do things with 1 child instead of 2 – so much easier. I still have awhile before I have any hours free of both children (and that will make me sad because my baby will be growing up too) but I do relish the thought of getting a little bit of me back.
.-= Michelle Smiles´s last blog ..Frugal Tip of the Day =-.
I so get it. All three of my kids are in elementary school this year. My husband doesn’t quite understand how profoundly this will change my daily life. I’ve shaped my days around my children for eight years. Just being able to run into a store is huge. Huge.
Enjoy!
This december #2 starts preschool with his sister. I am trying to reign in my giddy… To be able to go somewhere without a fuss or tear for a dolly, or a treat? Being able to watch the news instead of Handy Manny? Eat lunch sitting down, without having to share the best parts or the meal?
I thought that was just a pipe dream!
I think you will love it. The showering without worrying who will destroy what? Is priceless.
.-= Issa´s last blog ..What do you say =-.
Oh I feel your freedom! Especially the line about planning all hair/dental/doctors appointments around naps and babysitting!
Enjoy!
I understand completely! We all need a litte “me” time, even if that time uncludes running errands and doing chores; there is something to be said about being alone while doing these things and having time just alone.
Good for you! I admit, I teared up a little when we went to meet the kindergarten teacher last night and, later, I told my husband that I now understand why it is so common to see in a family a third child so much younger than the older siblings. But after reading this, I am excited about the free time! I’ll only get an hour each day, but that is FIVE HOURS a week to do everything you said above and more! I think “cat nap” is #1 on my list.
Enjoy YOUR time!
i think about homeschooling, and then i read posts like this and remember why i am batshit crazy right now.
.-= MommyNamedApril´s last blog ..The Many Faces of J =-.
Enjoy it and don’t let anyone make you feel bad for enjoying it! When my youngest went off to kindergarden, I was so thrilled! Cheering with the other parents at the bus stop…”they are g-o-n-e!!!!” It was 8 in the morning and my neighbor was all, “woohoo!!! Nicki, got any beer?” Don’t judge us!
.-= Nicki´s last blog ..Why Do I Love This Animal =-.
Good for you for being honest!! My oldest starts preschool next week, and yes it does make me a little sad that he is growing up, I too am looking forward to being able to do more things. I will have a 2 year old in tow, but that is so much easier than have 2 kids to worry about. And then next year, both kids will be in preschool and I just can’t wait.
Will I miss my boy? Probably! But the benefits are so worthy it
OH I can totally relate! Zack has started school now and having time away from him means our afternoons/evenings are *so* much more pleasurable! Not to mention how much more I get done with just Max around (who, incidentally, is *much* happier without his big brother around to bug him!), it’s easier to go out and such as well with Max being in the pushchair.
In Nov Max will (hopefully) be at nursery full time too, then I’ll have 6 hrs monday-friday to myself. My house may actually become tidy/clean again, not to mention not living out of a laundry pile! LOL
I love my kids to pieces but Max in particular is a LOT of work (recent ASD diagnosis and loads of therapies to do with him), so the break for me will be good as well as the socialization for him.
.-= Marylin´s last blog ..First Canvas! A Photobox Review =-.
The kids will have fun…you will be YOU…it’s a win win for everyone!!
By the time both my kids were in school, I think the one thing I enjoyed the most was being able to carry a normal sized purse and not something that looked like I had packed for a weekend trip.
Enjoy your ‘me’ time!
.-= Tara R.´s last blog ..A box of 64 is not enough =-.
My son is in fourth grade and my daughter is starting 4 day a week preschool this year. True, she’s only going to be gone 2 hours a day but that still means I will have 10 glorious hours a week all to myself. People have been asking me what I’ll do with my time “now that the kids are in school”. My response is that I’ll be busy not being all-consumed with my children. I’ve been a full time SAHM for 10 years now. I’ve earned those 10 hours a week! And you’ve earned your 12 so enjoy them!
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Yes- I know they sell yogurt in stores =-.
That sounds like heaven. No one rights about that in baby books, losing the joy of running errands.
I totally get it. My second starts kindergarten this year and I am thinking how fabulous it will be to just have #3 to drag around with me. Have fun with your 12 hours a week.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..11 years =-.
Right on, sister. I’m so with you on that feeling. I couldn’t wait to shower without interruption. And if I wanted to, lay on the couch and DO NOTHING. So yeah, I’m a bit lazy. But I’m pregnant so that’s my excuse for the next 3 months.
.-= Tricia´s last blog ..Trust =-.
amen sister!
Also, our September photo date in Chattanooga? Maybe October? Hubby hurt his back and is pretty much on his back at all times or he’s in searing pain at all times.
Don’t know when I’ll be footloose and fancy-free like you.
Have a great time sans kids!
.-= Auburn Gal Always (Keri)´s last blog ..seven =-.
I know I should say I’m feeling sad about the start of preschool, but I’m not. At all! I’ll still have the baby home with me, but just having one seems like a vacation. I can only imagine the glee when they’re both in school.
.-= Mama Bub´s last blog ..To sleep =-.
I know exactly how you feel. En-freakin-joy this time, but one word of advice… men don’t *get* how necessary this time is, and if for one minute they think you’re home reading a magazine, or out at the salon getting the works, or generally DARING to have a GOOD TIME of ANY KIND while THEY ARE HARD AT WORK then believe me the will suddenly *find* a multitude of things for you to do, that suddenly MUST have YOUR attention, and no-one elses. I mean afterall, what do you do all day? (trust me on this one) if they ever ask how your day was, it’s best to be neutral, as in, “it was okay, had so much to get done, for ‘the house’ so I didn’t really have much down time.” is a good example of an answer that will ensure you keep getting your time to DO WHATEVER THE HELL YOU FEEL LIKE AFTER FIVE YEARS.
.-= Ness at Drovers Run´s last blog ..On the Flip Side =-.
Hooray! Enjoy!
.-= Kara´s last blog ..Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies =-.
oh dude, I just got all hot and bothered just thinking about that kind of free time. Enjoy it. Run. Don’t you dare look back.
.-= designhermomma´s last blog ..On the Eve of Becoming Me =-.
I was a better mother when I had a chance to “miss” them. They were happy to see me and was happy and ready to see them–you lose a bit of that when you’re together every. second. of every. day. Of course, mine are 13 and 11 now and they have school, clubs, football, band, choir, etc. and I truly do MISS them. They are such interesting people but have very little time with me. Enjoy your time…preschool hours go by really fast.
Oh Amen! My two oldest are in school full-time now and my twins, starting next week, will be in preschool for 12 blessed hours a week. I know exactly what you mean about being able to DO things. I need to go to the dentist, which is nearly impossible with little kids. I can vacuum and see my house look pretty for more than 1.2 miliseconds. It’s also been 5 years for me as well. So, come Thursday (next week), if you hear this gigantic exhale, it’s just me here in Maine. Breathing.
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..School Daze =-.
So true. ENJOY!
.-= Rima´s last blog ..In Which I Pick a Fight with my Personal Trainer =-.
Love this. It is so important to get time to be you!
.-= Lora´s last blog ..My Burrito Babies =-.
Thank you for your honesty! It’s so refreshing and validating. I am so tired of reading the “I’ve been crying for a week that my baby will be gone” FB posts. My twins start preschool next week and I am doing the happy dance. I love them dearly, but feel that I can love them even more after having some alone time.
That is soooo amazing! I took the day off work yesterday and Bunny was in crèche/playgroup – I went shopping with my husband, I went to lunch with my husband, we spend the day doing ADULT stuff. It was AWESOME!!!! We’ve decided to diarize this type of thing once every two months, on a day that bunny’s in play-school, because it’s invigorating and restorative and wonderful – and you feel a little bit indulgent and naughty and these feelings are good for the soul!
.-= Jenn-Jenn´s last blog ..Weddings and things =-.
I do this with my hubby too. I think he’s getting ready for retirement in about 7 years (when he’s 56) and we get to spend time together. I have a hubby who intensely dislikes shopping, suggesting that we do it! I also enjoy the lunches we do on my days off (I go meet him). Good times. And better to come.
Those twelve hours sound like heaven. Enjoy them! I so envy you. I get some babysitting help here and there, but with a five month old who does not like a bottle, I’m still on a pretty tight leash. I can be by myself for a couple of hours, but the whole time I’m thinking, “Is she screaming? Is she screaming?”
Someday I’ll have more time. I’m excited to read about what you do with yours!
.-= mep´s last blog ..Free FALLing! =-.
I am sorry – but seriously – WHO would be sad about having KID FREE TIME! I would totally NOT and I would totally be LOVING EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF IT! Enjoy yourself!! I am sure you more than deserve it!
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Oh HellMart! =-.
I’m glad you’re looking forward to those 12 hours. Enjoy getting to know yourself again.
I totally agree. By nurturing yourself, you make yourself a better mother for your children. A better friend, a better wife, a better everything as far as I’m concerned!
Can you see how green I am through your computer screen??? I have 21 month old twins and I would LOVE to have even 2 hours to myself. I long for the day when I don’t have to drag the stroller through Target or put one child in the back of a carriage and one in the front until we get into the store and can grab one of the 2-seater carts! I know that someday I will look back and wish that my girls were little again but right now I’m not seeing that so much!
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! And post lots of details about what you do on these days so we can all live vicariously through you!
I’m with you! This is the first year that both kids will be in school. I can’t wait. I don’t feel bad about it at all. They have fun there. They are with friends. They do project without me stressing about the mess. The get away from ME.
Enjoy your time…I know I will!
.-= LZ´s last blog ..I’ve become a clown though I can’t juggle =-.
The first day you will cry, a ton, and then you’ll be early dropping them off b/c you’ll have plans. ahahhaha!
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..Stratford Ecological Center in Delaware- Ohio =-.
Amen, sistah!
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