Transitioning From Babies, To School Age Kids: What Do I Do With Me?

Raising children is a process. It is all about change and stages. Since I had my first child nine years ago, I have always had a baby or toddler or a baby and a toddler. I am entering a new phase of motherhood now. My youngest child is four. I no longer have a baby.

Three of my children will participate in government required educations this year and the youngest will attend preschool. That means I will have three days a week without children with me during the day. As in no one asking me for anything. No one following me around. No one “helping” me do anything. What in the world am I going to do?

It is funny how after years of having kids you forget what it is that you ever did before them. If I am not doing something for someone then I don’t really know what to do with myself anymore. I am going through one of those transitions periods.

Since the impending school year is upon me, I thought I had better make of list of things I will do when my kids are not with me. Not a long-term list. Just one to get me started. As I wade through the waters of change I am sure I will figure out what I am meant to do. Until then, I have this list.

1. Pee alone. My GOODNESS this one excites me. It definitely warrants number one.

2. Sit and listen to the silence. There is never silence in my house. Well, I guess there is after they all fall asleep but I usually pass out from exhaustion around that time.

3. Refresh my fourth grade math skills. When the kids come home from school I had better be ready for homework support duty. Is it just me or is math harder nowadays? I might need a tutor.

4. I have never watched Downton Abby. I am the only one. I don’t even know why it is called Downton and now Downtown. Is that an English thing? Maybe a typo that stuck? Every one knows the answer but me. That is just embarrassing.

5. I am going to shop. Well, at least look. I have four kids so not like I have tons of money to spend on frivolous stuff like clothes for myself. Just walking through a mall without having to apologize to strangers because my kid just plowed them over when instead of watching where he was going he was practicing his best ninja moves, will be as good as a new blouse to me.

6. I am going to have lunch dates with my hubby. There will be no kids menus, cups with lids or crayons allowed anywhere near our table. We will only order meals that require multiple pieces of flatwear to consume. I may even use a glass with a stem. If my husband isn’t on his best behavior I may even have him removed from my table.

7. I am going to hang out with my girlfriends. Except only the ones whose kids are also in school. I love my girlfriends.

8. I am going to read all the books that I have borrowed/bought. At my current rate it takes months to finish a book. If I have something that I need to do I do it, telling myself that I will read when I am finished. Only problem is when you have a family the work is never done. I am going to give myself required reading assignments. If it is good enough for my children then it is good enough for me.

9. I am going to clean my house. Then I will walk from room to room reveling in the fact that no one is here dirtying it up again. I may even wait until the very last minute to pick up my kids from school that day just so it can stay clean a little bit longer.

10. I am going to write. One of the great things about being a mommy blogger with four children is that they give me new material daily. The problem with being a mommy blogger with four children is that they don’t have a pause button where I can actually go and write stuff down. I appreciate everyone who has stuck with me this summer. Blog posts have gotten fewer and far between. I hope to change that.

11. I want to read other blogs. As it is now if I have a few (semi)peaceful moments alone with my keyboard I feverishly write something for my readers. There is so much I still have to learn from the blogging world. If you have a blog that you love, let me know about it.

12. I am going to take baths. I never take baths. It seems like a large chunk of time that I could be doing something productive so I always opt for a quick shower instead. I am determined to like them. I see all the sophisticated people on tv shows. They always relax with a soak. Except not those shows where someone sneaks in and drowns them. The relaxing kind.

13. I am going to family meal plan. My current idea of meal planning is admitting that my family has to eat every single night. Having the time to look through recipes and make a list of dinners sounds like the way to go. I may even make some meals in advance and freeze them just to make you all hate me for my Martha Stewart like ways.

14. I am going to volunteer in the schools and give back to the community. Right after I pee alone, one more time. (Yes, It does warrant two spots).

15. I am going to miss my kids like mad. I will be so glad when they come home each day. But can we talk about this homework thing?

This is going to be a great year. Just you wait.

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