'Woman at her toilet' Jan Havicksz (www.riksmuseum.nl)
To bring you unprecedented news, this morning my wonderful children got dressed, independently in their own rooms which meant that I was allowed to get dressed, ALONE in my own room. No inquisitive remarks about the state/size/colour of bits of my body, no stealing my bra and putting on the dog, no long stream-of-consciousness discussion of the latest Sponge Bob plot. It was nice, quiet and almost relaxing, five minutes just for me that I had so often craved when they were toddlers and hanging off me like baby gorillas.
(image from igcp.org)
(Baby gorillas! So beautiful.)
Maybe if I am really honest a teensy bit too quiet. It is every Mothers dilemma isn't it? It is our life's work to prepare our little ones to become able and independent adults but little by little the wee caring tasks that mark babyhood then childhood, like feeding, holding hands when walking, tying shoelaces and the like slowly diminish. The rhythm of family life adjusts and while we are lucky enough to feel that fierce pride as we seen them growing up, it is a somewhat bittersweet journey, deep underneath we experience the acute loss of their early childhood.
In other news I am pleased to report that I went out for a run this morning and did not experience an agonising stitch in my side! I am still running the first week in the couch to 5k plan, as my running has been interrupted regularly, firstly by sore feet, then writing up my last essay for the OU and then a low-level virus that made me feel wiped for a couple of days. I am feeling more confident though so hopefully, I shall be moving on to the slightly more strenuous Week2 plan next time.
As I jogged up the last hill towards home, myself and Rosie bumped into Mr E whose black Labrador Benjy is very fond of our Rosie so we had to stop for a sniff and a weather update.
Almost but not quite managing to supress his astonishment at the unexpected sight of my breathless, puce-faced lycra-clad self; Mr E -after cheerfully delivering the doom-laded news that the week-end was going to be a wash out, softened the blow by leaving me with this jaunty riposte, 'Sure we are not doing too badly so far, are we?' Thanks, Mr E, we are doing just fine!
Hope all of you are too.xxx
That is a milestone indeed! I know what you mean about the bittersweetness. The next stage will be having a teenager who swings between non stop talking and complete and utter silence :o) Well done on the run- I was wondering how you were doing. Keep Going! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks CT. I am thinking about the teenage years with a mixture of glee and trepidation. Hope the revision is going well.
ReplyDeletex
It's going, at least.... In fact, today I have turned a corner and finally starting to feel on top of it and like it's sinking in. How about you? xx
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that CT. I have decided to be less ambitious about the amount of revision I can possibly get done which has helped to be more strategic. All the very best.
DeleteI so understand your sentiments about them growing...bittersweeet sums it up well.....
ReplyDeletere your query on my blog about your skirt...in case you missed it I wrote this in reply....
"I would unpick it!
Most denim is very forgiving, just be sure to steam press everything when unpicked? Or alternatively cut out a new facing and use that to re-attach toskirt after unpicking the old one?
good luck d xxx "
hope it all goes well x
Thanks so much Daisy, great advice that I will follow!
ReplyDeleteHello Shauna - just popping by as I guess your exam must be soon - good luck! Hope all goes well x
ReplyDeleteAhh Thanks Louise, you are so nice for doing that. The exam is on Wednesday and I am simultaneously wishing it was over and panicking because there isn't much time left. Are the exams still looming for your family?
DeleteHarry is still (still!) doing AS exams but the end of year uni ones are done for Alex - so we're getting there! I've been studying ECGs (what a thrill..!) but just from a book at home.
ReplyDeleteVery best of luck for tomorrow and I hope it goes well. Just think of all that wonderful free time you'll have afterwards! x