I walked into the school building at 7:58 a.m. with all three kids in tow. Fiona was hanging onto her toothbrush, a piece of fake corn, and was in her stocking feet, Parker was hollering at the top of his lungs, having just taken a nose dive on the sidewalk, and Madi was trying to convince me that she was tardy and needed to go to the office. As we turned the corner and headed noisily to Madi’s classroom since she was not tardy (yet), we passed a group of Moms chatting before taking off for the rest of their day. They asked if they could help (which was nice, but did they really want to pry Parker off of my leg?) and as I moved on, I heard someone comment, “She always looks like she has her hands full”.
Yes, I have my hands full…thanks for noticing.
I complained later to Ben that I am sick and tired of hearing people say that to me…at the grocery store, walking into church while Ben parks the car, when we are out to eat, seemingly everywhere I go. He told me that I probably don’t want to know what they are really thinking, but I am so curious why that seems to be the socially acceptable response to a mom with a few kids in tow. Are they implying that I should stay at home and not venture out to get milk or eat lunch somewhere where I don’t have to make the macaroni & cheese myself? Are they questioning our life choice to have our kids two years apart? Or do they legitimately feel sorry for me because I really do look like I am on the precipice of sanity all the time?
Perhaps all of those things could be running through their minds, and in many cases, quite legitimately. I have been known to finish my grocery shopping with a screaming child in the back of the cart, and I have had my share of restaurants where the waiter earned their tip three times over. And yes, I do feel like I am flirting with sanity sometimes, and the other morning was more than a challenge, considering I then took 20 minutes to convince Parker that he was okay, and then carried Fiona kicking and screaming out of Parker’s classroom.
But please…please…don’t feel sorry for me.
My hands are full, but so is my heart.
I wouldn’t give up my crazy household with the scuffed walls and paint smeared bathroom sinks for all the Pottery Barn pillows in the world. I wouldn’t give up the time I get to spend with my kiddos, even if I have to bribe them with treats at Target. The exhaustion, the broken dishes, the tantrums, the busyness…I wouldn’t give up any of it.
You’re my hero, Rach. You do with three kids what I struggle to do with one. When Tommy has a meltdown when we’re out eating or shopping I often think of your past posts and know I’m not alone, that this happens to everyone. You remind me of my mom. There were 4.5 years between the 3 of us, and she had her hands full. She somehow made it through every day, and most days we had fun and learned something new.
Also that we would do without your excellent idea
Well said Rachel – and I’m right there with you – I think the comment “wow, you have your hands full” should be stripped from English vocabulary!!! I’ve also gotten “wow, you’re busy”, which is the same concept and so annoying!
Thanks Lisa – although I’m sure you are hardly struggling with your little one…:) I’m always amazed at the capacity that God gives us…just at the time we need it.
And just to add to it all…yesterday, this old man in Meijer said to me in the checkout lane…”Boy, you look like you need a part-time job or something…” (ha ha..gag…gag…)