Life’s A Cracked Eggshell
Today, in a moment of weakness, I jumped ship and sided with Team Others. Instead of a mental hospital, I imagined my great escape to be a beach in Barbados surrounded by Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha.
I bet you’re wondering what prompted this thought? How does one suddenly trade in Mrs. Brady for Carrie Bradshaw? Simply: a broken camera. Or should I say a demolished? Pulverized? Terrorized camera?
Big sister Brooklyn and her sibling sidekicks – Eden and Elijah – apparently snatched my brand new camera from my purse, ran into the bathroom, and threw it into the toilet. Then they snuck into the kitchen, grabbed a carton of eggs, a few sticks of butter, ran back into the bathroom, tossing everything into the toilet – on top of the camera.
Where was I, parent, mother, adult supervisor? Oh, silly me! I was knee-deep sorting dirty drawers and mismatched mud-stained socks in the laundry room, while my children were supposedly napping. For the astute: Yes, they were “technically” unattended. But this isn’t about that.
This is about an on-location, unedited moment filled with dirty laundry and toilet water hands. As I sat on the bathroom floor surrounded by three very remorseful crying toddlers, (who’ve never experienced a bathroom time-out before) one dead camera, remnants of butter, and slimy egg goop, for a split second I whispered aloud: Is this the end of my rainbow?
Parenting is hard. It will spin you out many times, before even considering spinning you back in. There are no time-outs. There’s a universal house rule: Parents must keep going. You’re on constant duty: diaper duty, breakfast duty, lunch duty, dinner duty, laundry duty, carpool duty, the kids are fighting “oh now I’m a referee” duty.
{I know that top psychology schools will say all this is perfectly normal. Perhaps an early childhood education degree, though, would help me to understand the inner working of my kids’ heads.}
The reality is, I love my life, my kids, my husband. Do I enjoy every. single. moment? No. I don’t. Who among you cleans up vomit or washes poop stained Superman undies with a smile? Enjoys bare-hand diving into a toilet to remove race cars, chalk, apple peelings, spoons, or even cameras? Bedtime showdowns? Raise your hands. Speak clearly and slowly. The Council patiently awaits a response.
Why, it’s only a broken camera. I know this. I’ll buy another. My children, my family, the moments, our lives together are irreplaceable. Along with the smiles of firsts, the tears of joys, the constant giggly laughter, I embrace a few bumpy roads and cracked eggs.
{above photo from D Sharon Pruitt} {sponsored links are included in this post}
I can definitely relate. Sometimes I feel like a horrible mother for ever complaining, but sometimes I really am just a step away from sitting on the edge of the curb, rocking back and forth. Not that I take joy in another mother’s misfortunes, but it is nice to know that I am normal after all.
Bohemian Hijabi´s last [type] ..Fusion
Stesha Reply:
September 26th, 2011 at 9:13 pm
@Bohemian Hijabi, Funny! I have a mental picture of you sitting on a curb somewhere rocking back and forth. Or maybe it’s an image of myself. Either way, it’s not pretty:)
Those bumps make you appreciate the smooth spots all the more. But sorry about that camera. That hurts!
blueviolet´s last [type] ..I Wish I Would Have Yelled “Cut” Once or Twice!
Stesha Reply:
September 26th, 2011 at 9:24 pm
@blueviolet, It’s odd to mourn the “loss” of a camera. Yet, I am.
if i had to describe you, it would probably be: Awesomely Insane! i appreciate your honesty when it comes to sharing the less than delightful and cutesy moments when it comes to parenting. my stuff would’ve just sat there in the toilet…dry heaving…while waiting on the plumber.
Donna L. Johnson´s last [type] ..Non-Meme Queen: The Versatile Blogger
Stesha Reply:
September 26th, 2011 at 9:32 pm
@Donna L. Johnson, Awesomely Insane?! Well, I’m flattered. *winks* And I quit you at “dry heaving… while waiting on the plumber.” I laughed… but I’m quitting!
I remember when my daughter thought it would be fun to throw the whole roll of toilet paper into the toilet and flush – what a mess! Sounds like you could use a girl’s night out or a day at the spa.
Holly – The Work at Home Woman´s last [type] ..Sponsored Post: AnyArt – A Home-Based Business Opportunity for Art Lovers
Wow….bummer!! I can relate with only 1/8th of that. My daughter used to be one tough tantrum toddler and honestly, I thought she would never outgrow those tantrums. Fortunately, I never had to worry about her drawing on the walls, “touching” breakable things or even put things in the toilets. I hear horror stories and honestly, I feel blessed I never had to conquer such battles. I just had my own battles to conquer with her.
Hope “Santa” brings you a new camera!!
Kimmy´s last [type] ..Key West (Day 3)
Girl you’re normal and not alone. These kids will test your nerves. I’ve broken down over things also and would def crumple to the ground if my son broke my camera. As it is he knocked my laptop to ground and cracked it open running (when I told him not to). It was brand new and less then 3 months old *sniff*
Nikki @ Mommy Factor´s last [type] ..Happy Birthday to Me via Social Media
Stesha Reply:
September 27th, 2011 at 6:41 am
@Nikki @ Mommy Factor, Sedation would be necessary if they would have broken my laptop. Although, they have tried to remove a few of the keys. Sigh.
Sometimes kids push you to a level that you didn’t know existed!
My son recently cracked our laptop screen and I think I went into a zone I never knew existed. I wasn’t mad (because it really was an accident) but I was kind of like delirious……lol
Hang in there mama!
Optimistic Mom´s last [type] ..The Tweet that Changed My Outlook
Hugs sista friend! Yes, we mommies need to be able to have our moments. There are moments when after dropping off at day care, I wish I could set my car for “anywhere but here”. Sorry about your camera!!
MrsTDJ´s last [type] ..A Little of This and A Little of That