We're at the very end of our summer holidays here in Argentina. The kids head back to school this week. We've had a wonderful break enjoying the holidays, traveling to Uruguay and Chile and spending a month with grandparents. There has been a lot of family time. The other day when we woke up Colin was searching around the house and finally came to me and said, "Where's Dad?" When I responded with, ". . . he went to work . . ." that perplexed him. Between Christmas, New Year and vacation time we utterly lost our Monday to Friday routines. That's great!
After spending the whole day with the kids, taking them shopping and getting everything ready for back-to-school Michael and I had a party to go to in the evening. It was the first one in a while as most families scatter during the holidays. With the babysitter at home I told the kids I was going to run out to get my hair done quickly. Before leaving I fixed the kids a late afternoon snack. As I delivered the snacks, Meryn started to cry. When I tried to figure out what was wrong the initial prodding revealed that she was tired. We were all tired. Our house went through a brown-out the previous night and none of us slept very well. But I could tell there was something else.
After a few minutes she started to talk. She didn't want me to go out. She admitted that she wanted me to stay home forever. At this point I sat down. We needed to get to the heart of the matter.
She knows once school starts 'real life' follows. I will start up with committee work, social events will surface for us and for them, Colin will start back with his speech therapy and orthodontist appointments, Michael will travel and after school activities will commence. The juggling begins.
Our quiet summer bubble will burst. It will.
At one point in the conversation as she grumped about the upcoming schedule changes I jokingly said to her, " . . . well would you rather that both of us stay here? We could give up on school and volunteer work, friends and going to parties and just hang out, you and me."
At which point she piped up, "Oh no, I like going to school, seeing my friends and going to parties. I want you to stay home." She heard it as soon as she said it.
In the end we had a laugh. We snuggled for a while and talked about the summer. It was a good one. We talked about the new semester to come and things we want to accomplish. We knocked around a few ideas we want to incorporate at home including a weekly Mom/kid cooking night. Then I went and got my hair done.
It just goes to show that finding balance doesn't mean that we get to keep it forever. We are a work in progress! Fine tune and adjust . . . fine tune and adjust . . .
Love you kiddo!
PS The next day one of her 12-year molars popped out! We realized she was teething and didn't feel so well, hence the tears. How can she be getting her 12-year molars? She's nine . . . Ay caramba! ✿ Micheline
