Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Serious applicants only please...

When we lived in New York City,  I had the privilege of teaching at the Little Red School House. I taught yoga, tumbling and creative moment to little ones, and I was a head teacher for 5 year olds in their renowned summer program. One Friday afternoon, after a particularly adventurous field trip with the kiddos to Central Park, one of the kids' moms pulled me aside.

Mom: I think you're ready

Me: For what?

Mom: To be a mom. You managed this classroom of 15 kids with all their lunch boxes and snacks. You got them through the Central Park Zoo, a carousel ride and a picnic. Then you sat with my car sick child who threw up on you on the bus and STILL managed to finish up the day with a smile on your face. If you can do that for other peoples' kids, you're going to be a great mom.

I beamed. And accepted the compliments and puffed myself up with confidence. Yep. I'm going to be a GREAT mom.

It's funny how time and circumstances can transform a memory. Before these last two weeks I still accepted those compliments, and thought about them in brief moments of mommy doubt. Yes, I took those kids to Central Park (and to Queens, and the Bronx...and all over Manhattan on Friday field trips). Yes. I took 15 kids down the block and across the street in downtown Manhattan to the playground and never lost one. Yes. I got thrown up on and managed to keep Little Robbie gluten free all summer long.

But now I see it a little differently. Yes, I took 15 kids to Central Park with 3 assistant teachers and people on the ground with walkie talkies making sure we didn't get lost or encounter sketchy people.

Yes. I took the kids down the block and across the street to the playground with the help of one assistant who blocked traffic while the other one stood in front of a bench blocking the passed out homeless man from view.

Yes. I got thrown up on, but while I was cleaning up puke and snuggling the sick kiddo, my assistants were passing out snacks and singing songs.

Yes. I kept Little Robbie gluten free...but how many times did I send my assistant running to his arts and crafts class with his lunch box or gluten free pretzels because he left without remembering his food while I managed the rest of the class.

Sure. I was a pretty good teacher. But I had great assistants and excellent support.

I also got to be enthusiastic, and love those kids with endless amounts of patience because at the end of the day they went HOME! And I went home, and read a book, or went out to dinner, or had an adult conversation, or took a yoga class, or just walked around NYC.

I've been beating myself up about being such a confident teacher, able to manage large groups of children, keep them entertained, and emerge excited about the next adventure....but somehow not being able to do the same with my two.  I want to be enthusiastic, and fun, and have an endless reserve of patience. But it's just not happening in my world of round the clock parenting.

I'm realizing I need an assistant.  I need someone to keep up the singing while I clean up the puke. I need someone to pick up all the tupperware lids that Wynray has emptied from the drawer for the 87th time while I dance with Kysa who NEEDS me to dance to the Lonely Goatherd song. I NEED to have fun with my kids and not just survive them. They are such incredible spirits, they deserve fun too.

So who wants to help?

Friday, March 15, 2013

Bad Mommy

Thank you Universe for serving up a week that has officially kicked my ass. I sit here humbled in exhausted broken toothed humility.  My children have ear infections. I am sleep deprived with a chest cold, a broken tooth, and wounded pride.

Seriously, how do you superwomen with large families do it?

I thought I was going to rock out on this mama-of-two-kids gig.
But, I don't got this.
My confident mommy swagger is a limp.

I'm touched out. We co-sleep for attachment purposes, so I've literally had a little person touching me almost around the clock for 7 weeks, with the exception of about 4 hrs for hair cuts, quick grocery store runs, and a dinner out with friends. My broken tooth is in direct relation to this fact, as Wynray is a master of headbutting and love wacks. We're obviously working on "gentle hands," but holding and wearing Wynray is definitely a full body contact sport.

And to add insult to injury, Kysa informed me just now that I am a bad mommy. And she mentioned Wynray thinks so too. It could have something to do with setting limits around sugar, and not having enough arms to hold two children at one time, so I'll take this judgement with a grain of salt.

But still, ouch. Tough crowd. Way to kick a gal when she's down.

I'm realizing my glaringly obvious error these past 7 weeks: Thinking I can care for my family without taking care of me. We've purposely NOT had any babysitters because we don't want to leave Wynray with anyone until we know he is securely attached in our family. But I believe we'll be interviewing nannies this weekend.  Or at least someone who can let me take a nap.

Thanks Universe.
I got it.
I mean, I don't got it....









Sunday, March 10, 2013

"We're Your Family"

I've been missing writing, but I've been parenting. Around the clock. I wish I could give you more insight into our day to day. It's been kinda nuts. But I thought I'd share this little story that lets you know how we're doing.

Today we were all four in the car. Wynray started crying and this was what Kysa said: 
"Don't cry, Wynray. We're your family. We love you. We'll never leave you."

Kysa might have succeeded in stopping Wynray from crying, but she couldn't stop her parents.

We have incredible children. Incredible, lively, funny, sweet, and beautiful children.