As mothers, we all have those times when we’re running in three different directions in a confused frenzy. During the day, when my kids are at school, my days are pretty calm. Sure, I have a million and one things to do every single day, but the only nagging voice I hear during that time is my own. And while I do often annoy myself, it’s nothing compared to the nagging demands of my darling children.
From 3:10 till bedtime, Monday through Friday, my calm day becomes ridiculous — almost unmanageable. That’s why I felt compelled to write for this week’s Monday Listicles on on the topic of AN HOUR IN A DAY. This topic was inspired by Stacey from Mothering Moments.
So here it is…
10 Things that I do between 5:00 – 6:00 pm every Monday:
- 5:00: Pick 7-year old up from, and drop 9-year old off to, Taewondo class.
- 5:05 – 5:10:Right there in parking lot, get 7-year old changed from his TaeKwon Do uniform to his baseball garb (inside the car, of course – not actually in the parking lot itself).
- 5:10 – 5:15: Hastily drive to baseball practice, fully aware that we are already quite late.
- 5:15 – 5:20: After parking the car, repeatedly assure 7-year old that I will be back by 6:00 to pick him up and that I will not leave him there alone to sleep in the park all night.
- 5:20 – 5:25: Watch 7-year old throw and hit the ball a few times so that I can later tell him how much better he’s getting at baseball.
- 5:25 – 5:30: Hastily drive back to Taekwondo studio to catch last 15 minutes of 9-year old’s Brown Belt class.
- 5:30 – 5:45: Half-heartedly chit chat with other moms in the lobby while trying to focus on what 9-year old is doing so that I can determine if he will be needing a private lesson in the near future.
- 5:45 – 5:50: At the end of class, throw 9-year old in the car and, once again, hastily drive back to the baseball park, painfully aware that if I get there 1 minute past 6:00, 7-year will be absolutely convinced that I’ve abandoned him for good this time.
- 5:50 – 5:55: After parking the car, repeatedly
argue withexplain to 9-year old the reason(s) why he cannot wait in the car while I retrieve 7-year old. - 5:55 – 6:00: Catch last 5 minutes of practice, ask the coach if he behaved, then walk out onto thefield and
forcefully dragcalmly nudge 7-year old (who’s now decided he’d in fact like to spend the night at the park) into the car.
6:01: Pop 3 Advil in a pitiful attempt to dull the now throbbing, piercing pain that is attacking my temples.
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Ouch. My head.
And there I was begging my kid to start soccer practice. Now I am grateful he has no interest. OH my. You have a great writing style, sure made me laugh! Lovely to “meet” you Steph.
It’s so funny. We want our kids to be involved in activities and be well rounded and all that good stuff. But when they are, we pay the price for it!
Awesome! All the reasons I will be tipsy for most of next year when the kids are enrolled in a million activities. Is that wrong?
Yes, the booze is a must!
That sounds like the most stressful hour ever!
Things just get crazier as they get older. And Springtime is insane. I’m looking forward to the end of June!
GAAAAWD! I thought ballet once a week was rough…We did this with my stepchildren, though when they were in school…Challenging schedules need migraine meds:)
Yes, medicate, medicate, medicate – or just drink! I have to say, Taekwondo is very time consuming. Each kid has it 3 times per week, so that’s where most of my juggling comes into play. I love it for them and I want to encourage them to continue with it, but it’s a pain in the ass sometimes.
Sounds like it…but worthwhile;)
Ha! What a busy hour! I know about baseball parks, too. Mine both played this past season. I was always there shuffling between the two of them, but I have to be grateful I didn’t also have to drive to a Tae Kwan Do class.