Nothing perturbs me more than feeling my age. And, believe
me, I’m feeling my age this week. Hubs is, too. Since we retired, our mornings
are very relaxed. If possible, we don’t schedule appointments early. He always dresses before coming out to the living room.I throw on a robe. We make
coffee and then with the Today Show running
in the background, Hubs reads the paper, and I read email. If I’m up before
him, I’ll write. I’ll get dressed when I feel like it.
But not this week.
There’s a good reason we had children when we were young.
Getting our kids off to school was a piece of cake. Since Hubs had left work an
hour earlier, I did it all. No sweat. Getting grandchildren ready for school takes both
of us.
That was Monday. Yesterday was worse. It’s “spirit week” at
their school. Yesterday was “crazy hair” day. Granddaughter wanted her hair in
lots of little pony tails, curled around and pinned. Think Niobe (Jada Pinkett
Smith) in Matrix Reloaded. Since her
hair is long and thick, this took more time than expected. Meanwhile Hubs prepared
lunches, got breakfast ready, fed the dogs, and even brewed a cup of coffee,
which we shared. What was grandson doing during all this? Lying on the bathroom
floor, still not dressed. Hubs was not pleased.
In the end, both kids had “crazy hair” and we all made it to
the bus stop in time. Despite both of us using our "stern" voices often, we got hugs and kisses before they got on the bus.
That alone was worth all the hassle. Since I’m writing this on Tuesday, I have
no idea how this morning went. I’m sure we’ll be better at this morning routine
than the previous two days. Thank goodness the parents return this afternoon.
As I’ve mentioned before, we moved to West Michigan because we
wanted to be close to our grandchildren. We’ve definitely seen more of them this
summer and now into the fall. Even though it’s exhausting, I wouldn’t trade the
time we spend with them for all the relaxed mornings. The tight hugs at night,
the big smiles when they see us are worth the exhaustion. After all, we can
always take naps.
16 comments:
Thanks for my morning chuckle, Diane. See what you and Hubs can do when you put your minds to it? Been there, done that. This week, you are my hero.
LOL, Margo. This morning went a lot smoother. It is amazing what we can do when necessary.
Diane, I have one 2 year old granddaughter and now and then I take her so the parents can have a date day/evening. I love her to pieces and we have a great time, but exhausting is putting it mildly. I feel for you. But I also know the extreme pleasure they give!
I'm at the kid stage (high school and I'm also counting my husband in this group LOL) where they're on their own in the morning. I make lunches. Period. I figure they need to be trained to take care of themselves at some point. This is the point. Summers when I'm working at the boat ramp at 5am, they have to make their own lunches. Lots of complaining, but everyone manages. I feel I've done my job and training is complete!
Grandkids do have a way of wearing you out and you think back to the years when you worked outside the home and did all this for your children, too. Your mornings sound like ours. Calvin dresses. I put on a kaftan. He makes the coffee. I walk out for the paper.
Hubby and I had the grandkids for six weeks, from mid-August through last week. Monday, it was really quiet around here, but I finally managed to get some paperwork done. Today I slept in! We sure miss them, but it's nice to get some projects finished, especially since I have edits due. Great post.
This really made me laugh - because I have no grandchildren. Not yet, anyway. I've adapted very quickly to slow mornings. Your post reminded me what it's like to get young children off to school. I hope I'm up to it if I ever get the chance!
So glad it's you and not me.
Brenda, you're so right about the pleasure grandkids bring. I'm looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow. LOL
Jannine, I remember those days when kids could basically get themselves off to school. I'm amazed at how much the grandkids know what to do, where things are, and how helpful they've been.
Vonnie, a kindred spirit. Love my slow mornings.
Patty, I can't imagine having them that long. But maybe I'd toughen up. LOL Either that or take naps daily.
Alison, I didn't think my kids would ever have their own children. I love living close to them, even if they wear us out.
Maris, LOL.
I've come to appreciate those quiet mornings myself. I love relaxing in bed and chilling with hubby. No grandchildren here yet...but I can just imagine the joys and the fun of getting everything done in the morning!
Usually I feel quite jealous when you tell grandkid stories. Right now I'm kind of liking my silent (empty-nested) house! :-) Seriously, I can imagine the amount of energy it took, but I'll bet you (and they) loved every minute together. :-)
I don't have grandkids yet and still I sometimes feel like I'm raising my 26 yr. old son! But only sometimes. :)
My energy levels are slipping, so I'd better get in shape for when that day finally arrives!
Melissa, after teaching for years, you must really enjoy those quiet mornings.
LOL, Leah. We moved closer so we could help out more easily. As the grandkids get older and they're around us more, it's more challenging. They do love to push buttons.
Darcy, I wish I could bottle the kids' energy. I'd make a fortune.
No grandkids yet, but I do take naps. As a lunch lady I work mornings and over the lunch hour so a nap is like a little divider for me putting one part of the day behind me, and starting fresh with my writing and home life. Kids are a lot of work at any age, what you're helping them with just changes. Thanks for sharing, Diane, and hope you get plenty of rest and recovery until the next visit!
When my youngest graduated from high school, I was so relieved to think I'd never have to call him (yell at him) to get up in the morning anymore. Since my kids were ten years apart, it seemed the whole school thing went on forever. I'm not sorry to say I didn't miss it at all. At least with the grandkids, you can enjoy them and love them and then give them back to their parents!
MJ, lunch ladies deserve naps. The kids' school has "lunch with your family" week. When we've gone, I'm amazed at how busy and patient the ladies are, helping kids by opening thermoses & cellophane treats. You all deserve medals.
Lucy, 10 yrs apart? I thought 13 months apart was bad with repeating each year. You had it much worse. We were relieved when the parents came home yesterday. Actually slept in this morning. It starts all over tomorrow for the weekend. At least we won't have to get them up for school.
Post a Comment