I'm not proud of doing it. But sometimes I just need a few moments. To clean up the living room, wash the dishes, put away the washing and make the bed. Just a few moments to myself.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Day 2 - Mr Duckie
Sometimes life with twins leaves me feeling a little bit like our friend Mr Duckie. A little flat.
Today was one of those days. The girls are still getting over a little bug, which has left them a little grumpy and short tempered. I had tried everything to get them to nap. Warm milk. A walk outside. Reading books. Lying down with them on the window seat. You could see they needed it. Yawning, eye rubbing, but our girls can fight sleep! After a few squabbles over toys and books, I took them into their bedroom and put them in their cots. I can count on one hand the number of times I have done that during the day. At first they thought I was joking and even smiled at me, so I went and sat in the next room. They realised then I was serious and so I sat gritting my teeth through the wails of abandonment. I snuck outside and looked through the windows and watched as they continued to cry with their eyes shut, heads resting on the cot rails. Eventually sleep won, they slumped down and they are still asleep (when I say still it was only 45 minutes ago).
I'm not proud of doing it. But sometimes I just need a few moments. To clean up the living room, wash the dishes, put away the washing and make the bed. Just a few moments to myself.
I'm not proud of doing it. But sometimes I just need a few moments. To clean up the living room, wash the dishes, put away the washing and make the bed. Just a few moments to myself.
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6 comments:
I don't know how you do it Marian! Our boys (yes, both) are put down for a sleep in a darkened room for the 2 year old; or "quiet play time" on our bed for the 4yo. We do this religiously, without fail, every day at 1pm. This is partly for them and partly for my sanity! I admire your patience. I hope you got a break today. I'd better go and get them up now... Kellie (Gibbergunyah)
Sometimes the best thing you can do for everyone is to give yourself a bit of space. I hope the girls are feeling much better soon.
It sounds like it was just what they needed - you should be proud of yourself for being a wonderful mother who gave her children the right thing at the right time. That is perfect mothering.
Hi Marian. I started reading your blog a couple of years ago when looking for inspiration for our own tassie block. I have never commented on anything though. This post of yours has drawn me out! As the mother of a 11.5 month old sleep resisting, determined (read stubborn) girl (just the one thank goodness!) I know very well that feeling of being on the brink and having your parenting convictions tested. When exhaustion (mine and hers) sets in tough love is usually required. I hate it and it makes me feel bad. But like you, sometimes you are in screaming need of time for yourself. I can't imagine dealing with two such lovelies :-) We mums can be awful hard on ourselves. You did the right thing. Be kind to yourself.
Little children NEEED sleep, good solid night time sleep and daytime naps, if you know it is the right time, make sure tummies are full, quiet story and snuggles, that will be 15 minutes after the meal, the "sleepys" usually hit,I found telling the same story can lull them off because it is slighly boring, they tune out and there are no pictures to want to look at and they are not "on gaurd" incase you skip pages.
Being a Mum to one is hard enough some days....coping with two makes you awesome, of course you need a break at times, be gentle with yourself.
Someone once told that babies don't die of crying. So when you are having one of those days, when sleep is desperately need, and equally desperately fought, put the baby in a safe place and walk away.
Saved my sanity on more than one occasion.
Glad they finally surrendered xx
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