December 7, 2006

Burn Out

It was the weekend before Thanksgiving and I was ahead of the game.  I had one Christmas tree up and had plans to get out the second tree that weekend.  I had visions of a relaxing holiday season, complete with cozy nights curled up by the fire with hot chocolate and gazing at the perfectly decorated Christmas tree. 

Then, my Dad had to have surgery and everything got turned upside. 

My Christmas decorations remained in their boxes until way after I usually get them out.  Our schedule got filled up with school activities and church bake sales, Christmas plays and shows, and Home Owner’s get-togethers.  Our tree was attacked by a very little destructor child.

Then Lil C decided she was not going to take naps on a regular basis, which resulted in huge headaches for me (literally), and increased whining from Big I.  Lil C awake time = time that Big I and Lil C have to get on each other’s nerves = Mommy gets a major headache.

And the shopping. . . the search for the perfect holiday party dress led us on a three mall crusade that lasted for three entire shopping days.  And I can almost guarantee that when I put it on, I’ll wish I had stuck with my original choice.  This is what happens when you offer a stay-at-home-mom a night out.  Everything has to be "perfect," kind of like my visions of a relaxing holiday season.

It is no secret that I can be incredibly grumpy when things aren’t going my way, and that’s putting it mildly.  Mr. BBM has been wondering why I’m in such a bad mood lately and here are just a few of the reasons why. . .

First of all, I get up at 7 am or before to try to get a shower first thing in the morning, but it doesn’t ever work because a certain 14-month old decides that she will also get up to keep me company and did I mention that she would like to be held.  I try to pull clothing on with one arm or stick Lil C in an exer-saucer where she complains and loudly while I try to get clothes on and brush my teeth. I then wake up Big I and say at least 20 times, "Hurry up, brush your teeth" and "Hurry up, get dressed," before she finally, s-l-o-w-l-y makes her way down the stairs.  Then, no matter what she tells me she’d like for breakfast, she complains that I got her the wrong thing even after she just asked for what I got her.  Then I say at least 40 times, "Hurry up and eat. We’re going to be late."  At 7:55, this constant prodding turns into hysteria as we all struggle to get shoes and socks, coat, gloves, and hats on and make our way to the freezing cold car.  On the way to school, everything is fine.  Both munchkins are content.  But after we drop Big I off, Lil C spends most of the ride SCREAMING her head off because on the way home, the sun is in her eyes. 

Once home, I spend the rest of the morning trying to clean up from the morning "festivities" and trying to figure out when I can get a shower already because I really need and want one.  Then, other things happen like:

  • I vacuum the living room, only to be followed by Lil C shredding an entire box of wipes and distributing them throughout the room from the safety and comfort of her port-a-crib. 
  • I spend what feels like hours folding laundry, only to have Lil C, in one disastrous moment, traipse through the waiting-to-be-put-away piles and "fold" all the clothes herself. 
  • Lil C has a snack and it goes something like this: One cracker for Lil C; one for the floor; one cracker for Lil C; two for the floor, and then I step on one (crackers and puffs are like land mines). . . and I end up having to mop the kitchen floor. . . again.

On a good day, only one of those will happen. On truly bad days, multiply that by ten.

Before lunch time, Lil C and I make our way out to the bus stop, which once again involves putting on coats, gloves, scarves, hats, etc.  1-year olds are not particularly happy little beings when being decked out in winter finery.  It’s sort of like trying to dress a Disney Store Polly Pocket doll.  Thumbs are in the wrong places and you’re feeling lucky if the clothing even stays on. 

At the bus stop, Lil C is thrilled to see her sister, but when she is not allowed to get on the bus, the excitement quickly turns to a threatening tantrum and our walk back home is full of screaming, squirming and other "fun." 

And that’s just my morning. 

Add to that the busy holiday season and all the pressure and stress that comes along with it, and you’ve got one very disgruntled, burnt out, in need of a spa MONTH mama. 

Pass the Advil please.

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Posted by on December 7, 2006 in Mental Strain for Mama | 6 Comments

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