Thursday, September 20, 2007

Learning A Sad Truth About Myself

I had to admit a very painful truth to myself this morning. I would suck as a single parent.

My husband's job participated in a book drive at LittleBird's school this morning. She does not normally attend on Thursdays, but it was an important event and the whole family needed to be there.

This meant hubbie got up super early and went to work. I was in charge of waking up the kids and getting them ready so he could pick us up and take us to the school. At 8.00 in the morning.

My alarm went off at 6.45, and I thought I was going to die. I haven't seen 6.45 in a long time. Not on purpose, anyway. It is one thing to wake up, change a diaper and then roll back into bed. But to see 6.45 and actually have to function is a whole different animal.

Now my hubbie is an amazing man. Every morning that LittleBird has school, he gets her up. Dresses her, feeds her, the whole shebang. I can hear them laughing and talking and general morning merriment as I stuff my head back under my pillow and try and eke out another 45 minutes worth of sleep before the baby wakes up.

The sad truth that I had to face this morning is that if I were in charge of the morning routine, my kids would be those sad-looking ragamuffin kids that other kids pick on on the playground.

This morning was a sad testament to my lack of planning, motivation, and energy.

Clothes on both kids: Check
Actually matching outfits and not mismatched, raggedy sweatpants: Check
Got LittleBird on toilet: Check
Got a clean diaper on LittleMan: Check
Got her hair done: Debatable
Found coats because it was 40-something outside and windy: Check
Breakfast: Not a prayer
Justification that we were only going to be there about 30 minutes: Believable
Teeth brushed: Nope

Get the idea?

I suppose that if I had to do this on a regular basis that I would get better at it. I am one grumpy bitch in the mornings, and I am constantly amazed at the patience and kindness my husband displays. I was proud of myself that I was able to pull off a similar atmosphere today. My daughter was all smiles this morning, and she and I were a good team getting ready.

And it was all a front. I admit it was a front. My covers were calling my name, and I just wanted to crawl back to bed and cry from exhaustion. I was not cut-out for early morning interaction.

I know that someday soon I am going to have to grow up, be an adult, and start helping out with the morning routine.

For now, I thank my lucky stars every day that my hubbie is taking care of it. I am taking advantage of every second because I know it is not going to last.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sound like you found a keeper. Even though hubby does sometimes dress Punkin, I usually have to change either his top or bottom half, sometimes both.

This is only the first of the reasons why I'm staying home and not him!

Coal Miner's Granddaughter said...

You know what, you sound EXACTLY like me! Your husband and my husband must have been separated at birth because Ty-man gets the twins out of bed, spends time with them, dresses them, gets them happy, and feeds them breakfast. Meanwhile, I'm either still asleep or blankly staring at Foxnews, nursing J-man.

Don't feel bad. I'm right there with you. I used to be a morning person! Where did she go?

Heather (aka Coal Miner's Granddaughter)

Anonymous said...

HA! Grumpy Bitch in the mornings MIGHT be an understatement! I remember the rule...do NOT (under any circumstances) call this house before 9am!! LMAO

Trust me, I know that I do not think I could do it either!