I got the title for this post from a Face Book friend as she was replying to my Status Update where I said “soo tired – did mid-morning workout, drove 5 hours solo with the kids, yawning like crazy but still trying to be a trooper and let Amir enjoy a late night swim.” I thought quickly about what she said and nodded my head. Too true.
Us moms in particular preoccupy ourselves all too often with ensuring our kids’ happiness or what we think would make them happy sometimes to our own detriment.
Yesterday was my oldest son’s first homecoming game for football and the days leading up to them were difficult for me as I struggled with the decision of staying to allow him to go to the game or hitting the road with he and his brother instead.
We had an engagement to attend the following day which required me driving 4 hours away – that’s 4 hours without traffic (it actually took me almost 5). I had actually considered going to the 8pm homecoming, getting up early the next morning, hitting the road, and making it to our destination in time for the event.
But then I thought about me being on the road with the kids by myself not feeling totally rested and probably slightly stressed and I reconsidered my options.
The only option was to forego the game, pick my oldest up early from school, and get ahead of the I-95 Friday afternoon traffic. Nobody wants to be stuck in that with a 1 year old and a 5 year old. And I wasn’t.
I had definitely made the right choice.
My son asked me while we were on the road if we were going to make his football game, a question I was dreading because I didn’t want to hear the disappointment in his voice.
The excitement of traveling and my choreographed explanation dispelled any anger that he may have harbored and I was relieved of my fears to ensure his happiness for that day.
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