Wednesday, November 05, 2008

kindness of kiddos

There are days. Days that I could pull my hair out and stomp my feet and wonder who the hell dropped these kids who fight and whine all day off at my house. On these days, nothing gets done. The kids need me and I need time to myself...a cycle that is not mutually beneficial or quiet. Although I know I shouldn't, I take score of how long it took them to start screaming, who made the last mess and how old someone should be when they start to retrieve their own underwear from their drawers. I forget that my housemates are four feet and under and are very immature...and for good reason! I get tired and sullen. They get exhausted and crabby. I feel sorry for myself and my 'lot in life' and have a little pity-party.

Then, the next day comes and mommy is sick with whatever ailment they have been battling. I feel achey and cold. My glands are swollen and I want to be tucked into bed with a hotwater bottle.

Then. Then! My sweet and thoughtful little six year old takes her little brother to the kitchen. I can hear them crashing around and giggling. I lay there anticipating and dreading the mess that I will have to clean up when I emerge from the coccoon of my cozy bed. Suddenly, two bright and sweet little faces bounce into my room with the larger one carrying a tray of food. Mommy's favourite breakfast of yogourt and granola and their standard morning fare of cinnamon toast. We sit in my bed eating with Liv so pleased that she could help and me so pleased with the empathy that she is expressing. And although again, I was anticipating the sugary crumbs I'd have to clean up, I am so thankful that I have these two little people to share my home with.

Later, when I pull out that vaccuum cleaner, an eager two year old tugs the hose from my hand and proclaims, "I do it, Mommy!" I happily relinquish the clean-up to him and relish the fact that I have such sweet, funny and kind little ones in my life. Thank you, you two. Mommy is so lucky to have you....even when you're not making breakfast or vaccuuming. Even when we have a stomping, growling, crabby day, I am so very blessed.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ahhh thank you for this because we are currently half way through the whining crying crabby kinda day over here and Cohen just ran through the livingroom dumping his bowl of peas on the floor for the dog to eat - deep breaths right!

And now instead of napping (because what 1 year old needs to nap - ha!) we are going swimming.

Oh I love this kid but somedays I just need a reminder :)

ali said...

oh we all need the reminder some days!! thanks jackie!!

and what sweet kids! clearly great parenting :)

Marissa said...

too blessed to be stressed!

sometimes we are too stressed to feel blessed!

your feelings are valid on both ends of the spectrum and you are very much not alone in them.

T said...

What a gift. While I am 100% sure of their adoration for their Mommy, I have a feeling he's out there, channeling love for you, through them, through strangers, through friends, through nature. I hope good things for you every day - and you don't even know me.

And I'm so pumped that Matt payed forward to you. I think you rock.

Tricia said...

Thanks for reminding us of what makes it all worth while. There's not a mom out there who doesn't have those days. I hope things are getting a little brighter for you on this difficult journey.
Love, Tricia and Family
Northern Virginia

Anonymous said...

Super sweet.. you're little angels.

Melody

darcie said...

Life is just like that isn't it?? I have been trying very hard myself to look past the messes and see it for what it's worth...really really worth. What great kids Jackie...hope you are feeling a bit better!

Anonymous said...

your blog is one of my favorites! your kids are so lucky to have you! and i know you feel just as lucky to have them. thanks for sharing your story and family with all of us.

V said...

Again, another beautifully written post. I often feel that way too, but can't express it nearly as well as you just did!
Have you ever thought about writing a book about being a homeschool mother in your area of Canada? You have so many wonderful stories and pictures to share and I love living vicariously through your life, eventhough it has been a difficult and bumpy road for you lately (to say the least I'm sure).

We have so many Waldorf and Rudolf Steiner pre-schools and schools over here (Germany) and I bet they'd love to have an English speaking teacher like you on board. Want to move to Germany? :o)

hippymummy said...

I've not been around here for very long but already i know that you have wonderful, strong, courageous, loving kiddies who have an amazing, brave, supportive mam. it's easy to think life, the universe and all in it is wonderful when life is going your way but you show your kids this DESPITE the fact that life hasn't exactly been going your way lately. You and your kids are blessed to have each other,i don't think that anyone could've done better than you have and i just wish we were all near enough to give more support.

World Wide Alternative said...

You are so good for each other...brave souls together...XXxx

Amber said...

Oh what lovely babies...

Jill said...

I have the same thought I often do when I visit your blog: you're awesome. Thanks for the way you share what you're going through. I hope you feel some measure of the strength everyone sends to you. And I hope you're feeling better soon!

TheSingingBird said...

oh jackie, those days are so hard sometimes!
and then, the sweetness!
once in a while i could manage to get my kids to calm down by surprising them, because suddenly I would whisper everything i said to them. if i tried it too often it didn't work, but once when i'd lost my voice because of a cold i tried it and it immediately stopped the fighting and they came close to hear what i was saying and then everything settled down as we read a book with whispers or talked through our feelings with whispers.

Lexi:: PottyMouthMama said...

A great post.

Such a cute story.