Damian gives me Saturdays off and I usually check out of the world. He does everything with the kids, does all my chores that need catching up (usually just the one I really hate, grocery shopping) and does all the cooking. I usually read (I know, big surprise) and sometimes I scrapbook all day. But that's rare. Reading is much easier.
Lately, I've worked on camp or trek stuff from sun up to sun down.
I have 4 reasons why I'm thinking about re-evaluating my choice to be so selfish on Saturdays.
Number 1: I have become the butt of MORE Idiart Family Jokes. If I DO go somewhere with my family and Damian's family finds out they tease me unmercifully. A few month of Saturdays ago, he and I took the kids and 5 of their friends to Kung Fu Panda (yes, that was 10 kids, total!!) When Damian's family found out they said. . . "Sarah, YOU went to the movies? . . . Wait, YOU never go anywhere on Saturday . . . Were you dressed? Did you bring a book?"
They already tease me that I hardly go to any of their weekend family parties/pot lucks/boating/camping trips. I see these people everyday, literally. I live next door to some of them. I go to church with them and our kids go to school together. I exercise with some, almost everyday! Apparently, I'm the only Idiart that likes spending time ALONE. I might not need to spend EVERY waking minute with THE FAMILY. But maybe I DO need to spend more time with my own kids on Saturdays. Maybe.
Number 2: Damian babies me from the time he walks in the door, after work, until we fall asleep. And then he gets up with any nightmares/vomiting/bed wetters in the night and I sleep. He also gets up early and gets the kids ready for school, while I sleep off a book hangover, or while I blog for the day.
It wasn't always like that. The first 10 years of marriage I did all that stuff. He was in Law School, or working 3 jobs, and I babied him. But I think I'll re-evaluate how hard I'm making him work now and try to baby him, more. At least, I think I'll try to even it out a little. He really is so good to me and I am becoming very lazy and a bit of a recluse to my own family.
Number 3: The after-weekend mess is usually VERY large. Damian is so busy . . . go, go, going with the kids, that the house gets wrecked. Sundays are usually busy, too and so when Monday rolls around it looks like a bomb has gone off, inside our home. It takes me until Tues. to get the house presentable. And I'd really like to start inviting friends over for Family Night on Mondays! So, I either need to supervise more activities on the weekend, or if everyone leaves, I need to stay and clean, not read. The first choice sounds WAY more fun.
Number 4: Do I really want my kids to remember their mom was a non-existent entity on Weekends? It's kinda weird, I will admit. Do I want them to really believe I loved my computer and books more than them? Do I believe that? Yikes, if I have to ask, I have some changing that I need to do! Plus, all the Idiarts will really be thrown for a loop if I start participating! It will really shake the boat! I can still leave the parties early, while I adjust to the newness of it all, can't I?
6 comments:
Sarah,
We are so happy you're a part of our family and grateful for the person you are.
Love you,
Allison
Oh my goodness! What a fantastic hubby!!! I say enjoy some "alone" time and devour it. What I wouldn't give for a Saturday all to myself...
You're not non existent, we all just love spending every waking moment with you as does the rest of the world. I commit to rubbing your feet at all family parties and providing a relaxed and comfortable setting for easy reading while you're in my presence.
Ooh, if you're lucky you will be able to rub my feet at some point too. In fact, I can't beleive you have posted on those bad boys yet, I'm sure you can share a few pearls of wisdom for others on how to get their feet looking like mine.
Jared
Ok, now you will HAVE to post about Jared's feet. Maybe you can sneak a picture of them on Sat? I say go to the parties if you get a foot rub out of it!
I've always thought it was nice of Damian to give what you gave for so long. I do see some merit to balancing it out, tho, since you seem to be seeing a need. Maybe he takes one Saturday to himself, you get one, the kids get 2 with BOTH of you, and you toss a coin on the rare 5th one to see which adult gets that one off? It's a complicated, but fun idea.
On the other hand...if Jared's willing to rub your feet to have you around...maybe I should be encouraging you to take your day off over HERE so I can play with you! You're in SUCH demand!
Very fun post.
Thanks again for getting the shirts, you did remember right, 2 med and 1 lg. Just let me know how much I owe you when you find out ;)
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