Our little Miss has been a handful lately. It's funny to me to see that she's becoming the more high-maintenance one. If you would have told me that a year ago, I would have never believed it would happen. They would never admit it, but I can see her gma's and aunties are coming to the same realization. For instance, she is at this very moment trying to pry my arms off of the keyboard, has pressed CAPS LOCK, Ctrl, and Shift about 20 times and is whining/screaming at me in a high-pitched squawk that could be recorded and used for torture technique to extract information from terrorists. Oh, what's that? Maybe I should get off the computer and pay attention to her? OK, maybe. I'll be back.
*
Now I'm back. She's been given a granola bar, her absolute favorite snack, and is currently picking small crumbs off and leaving a trail all over our carpet like Gretel, for me to step on with my bare feet for the next several hours until I finally give in and get the vacuum cleaner out. But I'm back to typing for a moment!
You see, I've come to the realization that caring for children is not that hard. Now, don't throw dirty diapers at me, hear me out. I mean, if all I had to do was sit around on the couch and WATCH them, simply keep them out of harm's way, let them zone out on TV all day--that would not really be that taxing. But, silly me, I actually try to DO something once in a while, and that's when the children revolt. And by "something" I mean ANYTHING, from putting a stamp on an envelope to pouring myself a cup of coffee to getting dressed. Don't even mention the trouble I get if I have the nerve to attempt something so lofty as taking a shower, making dinner or posting a blog post. That's when the little buggers show me who's really in control here. (FYI, granola bar has been demolished and I've had to leave the computer approximately 6 times while typing this post to try to distract Sydney.)
So, in light of this realization, I've lately been making an honest attempt to, well actually, go back to that easy concept: caring for the children. Actually BEING with them, instead of having them in the house while I try to accomplish things on my list. Now, this is a constant work in progress for me, as I always have a list and it is always long. But the other day I was trying to update my blog and Sydney wanted to be between me and the computer, of course. So, I abandoned all hope of posting and just let her sit there for a while. She was being delightful and funny and I happened to have my camera in reach, so I tried to take a covert vid of the special moment...not only for all of you, but also for me to remember that sometimes it's OK to let the list go. Even if that means I don't blog or cook...or shower.
9 comments:
So cute those kissy lips. Gianna is the same way when it comes to the computer. She wants to sit on my lap and either bang the key board or kiss/lick the monitor. I too have started to say forget it to my lists and all the things I think I need to get done. There will always be lists and to do's but not always these cute little babies.
Oh, I struggle with that too. It's easy to get so caught up in what I need to get done the kids just get lost in the shuffle. But sometimes I just want to be left alone and that's not always fair either. I do still cherish nap time even though only 50% of my kids actually nap.
on an unrelated note...I see little curles at the bottom of her hair in the freeze frame (from the vid you posted)! Cute!
So true, so true... and Andrew is, at the moment, trying to destroy my typing and pull my arms away from the keyboard... it happens to us all! Thanks for saying it though, and helping me hear, once again, I'm not the only one.
So true, so true... and Andrew is, at the moment, trying to destroy my typing and pull my arms away from the keyboard... it happens to us all! Thanks for saying it though, and helping me hear, once again, I'm not the only one.
When you were Syd's age, I tried taking piano lessons. When I was practicing at home,you would hang on the keyboard and give me the "I want your attention" treatment. Different keyboard, same longing for Mom's attention! Now I do not know how to play the piano and I have an awesome, well adjusted daughter!
Love, Mom
We have hit the "I do it" stage around here. She's so independent but hasn't realized she is still so very dependent on us. It takes 4 times as long to do anything now because she "does" it, which really means making a huge mess with peanut butter while making a pbj or something along those lines....but you are totally right, it's all about perspective and even though it takes so long for her to do something if I am in a hurry---to see that precious little smile on her face is worth it.
Oh those lips, how can you not love those pouty lips... she's got the look down.
Pretty much the time I get for the computer is during naptime or bedtime. However, the other day I did attempt to email my sister, when the phone rang and I turned to chat to turn around again and find Ike with a pen, popping the keys off of my keyboard! I had to search to find them and still I have one missing... And don't even get me going on the shower thing!
Great video and blog, I so relate and I so love Syd's big kissy lips!
Oh, you, my friend, speak my mind! I'm not good at being Present with my kids, but knowing that others struggle with the same thing and are taking steps to change really helps me. That, and having friends with teenagers and they can't get their kids to stick around. These times change (thank goodness): I hope to want to find the good while I can.
And you're giving me a head's up for my own Little Boo who holds the current "Good Child" badge: someday the other shoe will drop ... :)
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