If you can't beat 'em

Actual conversation a few weeks ago:

Abe: AAAAHHHHHH (angry scream, hitting the table with his fist) Downstairs at the dining room table
Me: What, Abe? Use words. I don't know how to help you... Upstairs, cleaning up the bedroom

Abe: I need you to get me that marker off the floor...
Me: I am not coming down to pick up your marker off the floor.

Abe: Well, mom, if you don't get it... and I don't get it... then.... we'll just have to MOVE.


And the funny thing is... I kind of understand his point. Because there are some days when, Ohmygoodness, I don't have the energy to pick up that marker/dried up food/sock off the floor.

And I contemplate what it might be like to just let it sit there... FOR-EV-ER... To pick up in the night and leave because I've somehow come to the point where I simply can't pick that thing up again. You get this, right?

I think we all get this feeling periodically. Whether it's a "thing" or a thought or an emotion.. We just can't look at it any more. Surely someone else will take care of it... an adult, a grown up.

The reality that I am the adult still seems to hit me sideways. That I am the generational point person for virtually everything. And that what I model will impact how Abe and Anna will treat this stage of life also.

What do I model each day? That weighs on me when I sit in bed at night.

I'm finding the idea of having models and mentors for stuff like spirituality and even family and home management and motherhood very intriguing. These online networks and blogs I visit regularly are essentially filling that role and it's one of the things I love about the internet.

Yes, I know that they can also be a time suck, but I value them so much. I don't apologize for spending time reading them. They really help me along the way.... how about you?

dreary day

Today is one of those dark rainy gloomy days that seems hardly worth waking up for... unless you've got two kids who are begging for breakfast and who seem oblivious to things like weather-induced moodiness.

Anna's staying home from school today because she's had this awful hacking cough and it got worse last night, leading to a very restless night of sleep. A little sleepy, snuggly bed time will do her body good. And Abe doesn't have anything today so I'm going to see if I can keep him quiet with games and books.  A mom can dream, right?

But this gave me a good chance this morning to steal a few minutes to read my new favorite blog. The author of Simplemom (which I've mentioned before on this blog) is planning a year of global travel with her family next year. And, yes, you do hear a twinge of jealousy in my voice here. I would so love to do something like this. (You may also hear mike's voice reminding me about things like retirement and job security and health insurance and college funds.)

Okay, back to dreamland for a moment here. This blog is dedicating 31 days to discussing the spots the family is going to visit on their trip. I get giddy with excitement reading about their future adventures. If you dig this stuff, too, then you can check it out at www.tshoxenreider.com

Stay warm and dry today!