I've felt really whiny and opinionated lately, so I thought I'd give a smattering of the thoughts that are bouncing around my head this week:
- I don't understand the logic of mothers who choose to do housework or take a shower while their baby naps. (Maybe someone can explain the reasoning behind this?) Before Sam was born, the best advice I ever found was something to this effect: "Take care of all your chores, errands, duties while the baby is awake, so that naptime can be your own time." This advice saved me from insanity, especially when Sam was a newborn. I feel like if I only get two hours of free time each day, I'd like to spend it doing something interesting and rejuvenating.
- If you blog about a dense topic like art history, you need to keep your posts short and concise. No one wants to open up Google Reader and find that the equivalent of a book has been uploaded onto your site. Keep your posts to just a few paragraphs, so that the average reader (and even fellow art historians) will stay interested.
- I wish that I had a more organized life, so that I could do all of the things that I would like to do. I want to read more books, I want to practice singing, I want to have time to simply think and meditate during the day. I probably devote too much time to studying art history and prepping for my classes, but I feel like my time is so limited. It seems like if I'm not watching Sam, I'm either prepping for a class, squeezing in some time with J, or sleeping.
- I am still a working mother, even though I'm on summer break. Prepping for classes takes a lot of work, and I don't have time to do all the things that stay-at-home moms do. I wish I had more time to hang out.
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11 comments:
I want you to know that I VERY MUCH admire and look up to you. I have thought on several occasions that if I ever become a parent, I'd like to be a parent like you. I know you love Sam and that you are patient, loving, and engaging with him. I also know that you didn't let your mind turn to baby mush when you had him; that you you still have hobbies, interests, career pursuits, etc. You maintain one of my favorite blogs, you teach, you keep your brain sharp. It's really refreshing ... especially when I've always worried that if I ever do get married and have kids, that I wouldn't be a "good mom" because while I certainly will love my children, I want to stay sharp and have interests and goals. I realize that was a really long way of saying that I admire you.
Also, and I know this will sound incredibly stupid, but I thought of you many times this week when I was puppysitting. Ha ha ha, that sounds so AWFUL. It was nothing like having a kid I'm sure, but it was tough! I had to be so patient and keep my voice cheerful and be happy, when really, all I could think of was how tired I was and how sick I was of cleaning up poop. But, I thought, "How would M handle this?"
I'm such a nerd.
Anyway, I'm sorry your week has been rough. I'm hoping next week is MUCH better!
you should have called! i've been off all week. excited about tomorrow :)
I feel that way and I dont' have a 2 year old!
I thought of you today as I looked through the newest Newsweek. There is an article about an artist, a female, I can't remember her name and some "fakes" and some real work.
Are you aware of this blog? That exact topic was expressed there recently. http://womeninthescriptures.blogspot.com/ You might find it and the comments helpful.
goodness gracious- I forgot about this one. Same deal- different answer to the problem. http://justaroundthiscorner.blogspot.com/
I understand how it is confusing to do chores/showering while the baby naps. I do it out of sheer convenience. With two kids fighting to "help" me out it is sometimes easier and less frustrating to get ready and clean while they are both down for naps. However, I can usually do all of that and still have time to read or watch a show. Also, when they go to sleep for the night then it is MY time. I do my hobbies and other interests then and don't have to worry about stopping until I'm too tired to continue. That's at least what works for me. I think if I only had one it would be easier to do those things while they were up.
ditto to Shauna - nighttime is MY time! i sew, read, watch a movie, etc. to my heart's content. it seems that during the day, i'm doing chores while the babies/toddlers are awake AND asleep! ahh! they never end! :) i make sure i play with cora and the older kids while they're awake. they need that time with me, when i'm not on the computer or have my nose in a book. but i guess everyone does what works for them.
i'm amazed at all you do, M. i've felt many times that i've lost my ability to talk/discuss art history eloquently, since i speak "kidspeak" every day. so sad! i think it's great that you're teaching, and i hope that it's rewarding enough for you to make it worth the stress you might experience from it. i can't imagine being a working mom!
You do really well balancing the demands of a day. We are thrilled that you are teaching, we love your blogs (and you!), and you are truly a wonderful mother. When you really need a break, please call and tell me: we can accommodate. Sorry to add the stress of the tile/floor to a demanding week. We love you dearly. Have a fun weekend.
Thanks for the comments, friends. It was nice to read such kind remarks, especially after such a stressful week.
I can see what Shauna and Joolee are saying about housework during naps, especially since they have multiple kids. (I actually wasn't thinking of moms with multiple kids when I wrote my comment, but I'm really glad that you brought it up.) I'm sure that it is twice as much work to clean when you have several little kids around who want to "help." I guess the most important thing is that mothers get "their time," and it sounds like you guys have found a good balance in doing that. :)
And thanks for the links, Becky Rose. They were interesting. I'm curious to check out that female artist.
I can relate to not having enough time to do everything I want to do...and I only work about 15 hours a month... I'm sorry!
And, I agree with you on the nap thing. Sometimes I have to work or shower, etc., but I try to do something fun or take a nap a lot of times. I occasionally feel guilty when I do this, which I know is ridiculous. Moms need "their" time, in part so that they can be good moms!
I AM BACK and ready to give some adult interaction!
I completely agree with you about naptimes. Those are the times when I never do housework, cleaning, or anything that's really very productive. It's "me time", just like you said.
And I wish you had more time to hang out too! I'd love to get together again soon!
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