A few weeks ago I was going crazy.
I was spent. Too much work not enough breaks. I had had it. I had no patience left for my picky-eating, not-good-sleeping, takes-weeks-and-weeks-teething, newly-screeching, mess-creating toddler.
I was beginning to feel like my only options were to put her in day care and go back to work full time in the office or continue on in the miserable state we were in. Neither option was appealing to me. I was not being a good mommy and we were all unhappy.
Then Joe came up with a brilliant solution - I should join the gym. With built in day care while I exercised it was a win win -- break from the baby & exercise too. I was hesitant at first; I'd never left Evie in day care with a stranger before. She's so fussy and particular I felt sure that 5 minutes into my workout I'd be getting paged to the day care to take my crying toddler home.
But I was wrong. I mean, sure, there've been a few tears (but that happens even when I'm present -- being in the 10th percentile and a late walker means that playing with other kids leads to lots of being toppled over and trampled upon).
But overall she's done so well. Such a champ! I haven't been paged once. And at the gym they have a videocam of the day care so I can check in on her anytime and it puts my heart at ease. I think it's good socialization for her too.
And I have newfound sympathy for my friends who work full time and leave there kids in day care all day. That must be really rough, dropping your child off all day and trusting someone else to kiss their bumps and bruises, worrying about other sick little kiddos, and all the other worries that come into play with day care. Luckily there are some really great child care options out there for full time working parents, but I still think it's hard.
Oh man lets just be honest, parenting is hard no matter the configuration of life circumstances.
The good news is this new configuration has made our circumstances so much happier. I come home happy from the gym. Evs is a little clingy after (which is nice since she's not normally cuddly or clingy at all). I find myself more energized, productive, and patient. The whole day goes better.
Huge sigh of relief.
Last week it felt like I had no good options. Bless Joe for finding the perfect solution.
And to wrap up, how cute is this little lady with her pigtails? She may be high maintenance but she's a totally charming little person. I'm glad she's mine.
7 little remarks:
I'm so glad he came up with such a great solution! Every mama needs a break now and then.
And yes. She is absolutely adorable with pigtails. (and without!) :)
I DO love the pigtails. It's hard to do when they have less hair, but it looks ADORABLE - even more adorable than long pigtails that are EASY to do.
I'm glad you found a good outlet. It makes me sad to think how much I used to love working out. It's been SO long (a year, not counting the brief 3 week period of working out I tried after D was born which threw me into a nasty hypoglycemic dive). I'm excited to start again after Deirdre is weaned.
That's awesome that the place has a mommy-cam! I'm glad you all found a solution- it's OH SO important you get a breather.
Hurray for solutions! I'm so glad. It's so hard when you feel stuck in a situation. She is terribly darling in that picture!
Hooray for the gym! I absolutely know exercise keeps me sane. And the funny thing - Josh loved it when he was my only child, maybe because there were other kids? Anyway, so glad your husband is so great. And the pigtails are hilarious. Cute girl.
Anna,
what a wonderful solution. Its funny because I have told steve so many times that when we have kids (As bad as I want them) it will be an adjustment for me and I really want to get a gym pass. Gets both of you out of the house and makes you feel better and your time together is better spent the rest of the day with each other. Happy Gym attending!
Going to the gym really was a great solution. I am going to tuck that away for future use.
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