It all started, 1pm on a day where sleep had been pretty alusive since the arrival of our third little bundle of joy. 3 kids in 3 years and not one of them slept through the night til they were at least 10 months old. I'm sure most new parents can relate to the haze that sets in as I'm sure many others will have had horror bouts of sleep deprivation too. There is a reason they use it as a form of torture, because it's bloody awful! I love my babies and adore that quiet time in the middle of the night, where you can cuddle up for a sleepy feed and watch infomercials on the tv of things that look awesome and I so need but physically cant open my eyes wide enough to read the numbers on my credit card. However, every night for 3 years takes it's toll and on this particular afternoon it was showing!
I had miraculously managed to get my newborn and master 2 to sleep at the same time (yes I fist pumped and did a little dance, I deserved it!) and snuggled up on my bed to read stories to miss 3 in the hope that she might drift off too. I now realise looking back that my expectations do seem a little high. I suggested to miss 3 that if mummies eyes where to close that she could just snuggle in with her books and read. But whatever you do don't wake your brothers. Why would I think saying that is a good idea? It's like waving a red flag and begging for her to do it, I certainly learnt the hard way.
I made it through one book when it all got too much and I fell fast asleep. Only to be promptly woken what felt like seconds later by a little voice saying "Mummy, my hair is sticky and I cant get the honey out". Prising my eyes open I was greeted by the sight of miss 3 and master 2 (whom miss 3 had woken up, pulled out of his cot and convinced him to climb the pantry because he has the acrobatic skills of a monkey) with honey plastered hair and sheepish grins. I would like to think of myself as a calm and controlled person, however, confessions are part of this blog so I'll be honest and say that calm probably wouldn't be an appropriate adjective used to describe my reaction! Following said reaction, master 2 took it upon himself to attempt his own clean up whilst I was putting myself back together. He then promptly flooded my bathroom and woke up the baby. It was about now that my mum received the frantic mayday call deciphered in between hiccuped sobs and advised me to put the kids in the yard (my fence is secure, it was warm not too hot and there was shade. I may have been blubbering but those safety aspects were covered) whilst I gathered myself together and she got on her way over to help clean up.
For some reason, this scenario was not quite enough and the logical conclusion my toddlers came to was that as they were wet they should really strip out of their clothes and have a play in the sandpit whilst they waiting for Nan. Hence mum arrives at the gate to be greeted by 2 small children who were nude, wet, very sandy and rather sticky. It wasn't quite tar and feathers but sand and honey do make a rather interesting combination!
I'll be the first to admit that to have mum to call upon makes me extremely fortunate and there are many parents out there who do not have the same support network. All I can say to anyone is that if you don't have family support around you when you have baby, put yourself out there and seek a friend or another parent and be each others back up. Have them on speed dial. You don't necessarily need each other constantly but if it all hits the fan you would be surprised how many people would actually drop what they were doing to come over for half an hour and help you regain your sanity. Sometimes our pride and fear of not "being good enough" to handle things on our own gets the better of us. We think we have to prove to ourselves and the world that we can handle anything thrown at us when reality is sometimes 'you get by with a little help from your friends' and you become no less of a person for doing so.
My other discovery in this situation was how tricky honey is to clean up! It was everywhere, all the door handles, drizzled along the floor, all through the cubby house and its pretend little kitchen. I found patches of stickiness for a week and bees moved into the cubby. It was a combination of warm soapy water, persistence and a week of sticky patches.
So in finishing this post and having touched on establishing and maintaining a support network and the clean up of honey I'd also like to add that the bad moments end. As awful and tiring and devastating that some moments can be, drawing out feelings of frustration and inadequacy. The storm will settle and the chaos will subside. Let it happen, let it all hit the fan and remember that with the dawn is a new day, a new beginning, another chance and a new you who has all of the lessons from yesterday now under your belt to enjoy today. xx
For some reason, this scenario was not quite enough and the logical conclusion my toddlers came to was that as they were wet they should really strip out of their clothes and have a play in the sandpit whilst they waiting for Nan. Hence mum arrives at the gate to be greeted by 2 small children who were nude, wet, very sandy and rather sticky. It wasn't quite tar and feathers but sand and honey do make a rather interesting combination!
I'll be the first to admit that to have mum to call upon makes me extremely fortunate and there are many parents out there who do not have the same support network. All I can say to anyone is that if you don't have family support around you when you have baby, put yourself out there and seek a friend or another parent and be each others back up. Have them on speed dial. You don't necessarily need each other constantly but if it all hits the fan you would be surprised how many people would actually drop what they were doing to come over for half an hour and help you regain your sanity. Sometimes our pride and fear of not "being good enough" to handle things on our own gets the better of us. We think we have to prove to ourselves and the world that we can handle anything thrown at us when reality is sometimes 'you get by with a little help from your friends' and you become no less of a person for doing so.
My other discovery in this situation was how tricky honey is to clean up! It was everywhere, all the door handles, drizzled along the floor, all through the cubby house and its pretend little kitchen. I found patches of stickiness for a week and bees moved into the cubby. It was a combination of warm soapy water, persistence and a week of sticky patches.
So in finishing this post and having touched on establishing and maintaining a support network and the clean up of honey I'd also like to add that the bad moments end. As awful and tiring and devastating that some moments can be, drawing out feelings of frustration and inadequacy. The storm will settle and the chaos will subside. Let it happen, let it all hit the fan and remember that with the dawn is a new day, a new beginning, another chance and a new you who has all of the lessons from yesterday now under your belt to enjoy today. xx
