I have been a full-time mum for 10 weeks now and am actually surprised at how quickly the hours of each school day pass by. Home life still seems chaotic and not without its own stresses but I am truly blessed to have this opportunity to spend quality time with my boys and my parents.
I am honoured to hear what goes on with "tweenagers" at school while getting a headache from the copious tales of Mutant Turtles or Power Rangers from his seven year old sibling (who secretly enjoys my off-key renditions of the 1982 version of Annie, The Musical despite his frequent protestations! It's a hard knock life... indeed. )
I am thrilled to witness little steps of language acquisition in "Houdini" which I would have undoubtedly missed had I been working full-time. I love his smile, kisses and waves when he gets his bus to and from school. (Believe me, waving has been achieved after practising for a VERY long time.) I have cried with joy when at almost six years old, he says, "I love you" for the first time and I revel at the occasional phrase expressed in context.
My study is now a well organised office in preparation for my return to work but my house is still an unholy mess of Lego bricks, sticky fingerprints and dog smudges. Nevertheless, I can talk to my husband about my day without negativity and help my kids with their homework. There is paperwork to file and household phone calls to make. My diary is full of appointments but also, to do lists of ideas for the future. There is some perspective and a lot of hope!
Thanks to my parents babysitting, I can swim 100 lengths a couple of times a week for head space and am learning yoga to relax. I am becoming involved with our local autism community. My yogi says people enter our lives for a reason and I am meeting new people with similar experiences and interests.
Equally, I can catch up with the good, "old" friends I rarely saw. I appreciate their kind support and honesty. I know that most have experienced similar emotional spirals. I know who they are and exactly what they think of me. Most of all, I have no regrets or loathing of the "baggage" that I carry. How could I when I am privileged in learning to laugh and love and live?
Onwards and upwards. Health and Happiness!
I am honoured to hear what goes on with "tweenagers" at school while getting a headache from the copious tales of Mutant Turtles or Power Rangers from his seven year old sibling (who secretly enjoys my off-key renditions of the 1982 version of Annie, The Musical despite his frequent protestations! It's a hard knock life... indeed. )
I am thrilled to witness little steps of language acquisition in "Houdini" which I would have undoubtedly missed had I been working full-time. I love his smile, kisses and waves when he gets his bus to and from school. (Believe me, waving has been achieved after practising for a VERY long time.) I have cried with joy when at almost six years old, he says, "I love you" for the first time and I revel at the occasional phrase expressed in context.
My study is now a well organised office in preparation for my return to work but my house is still an unholy mess of Lego bricks, sticky fingerprints and dog smudges. Nevertheless, I can talk to my husband about my day without negativity and help my kids with their homework. There is paperwork to file and household phone calls to make. My diary is full of appointments but also, to do lists of ideas for the future. There is some perspective and a lot of hope!
Thanks to my parents babysitting, I can swim 100 lengths a couple of times a week for head space and am learning yoga to relax. I am becoming involved with our local autism community. My yogi says people enter our lives for a reason and I am meeting new people with similar experiences and interests.
Equally, I can catch up with the good, "old" friends I rarely saw. I appreciate their kind support and honesty. I know that most have experienced similar emotional spirals. I know who they are and exactly what they think of me. Most of all, I have no regrets or loathing of the "baggage" that I carry. How could I when I am privileged in learning to laugh and love and live?
Onwards and upwards. Health and Happiness!