Mommy Time Out

Yesterday the children were conspiring against me. First, Reagan wouldn't go to preschool. She had been sick for several days, but on Monday she felt well enough to go to dance and played dress up for much of the afternoon, so I knew she was pretty much back to normal. On Tuesday morning I repeatedly asked her if she felt well enough to go to school. Although she was rather whiny, she said she wanted to go. So, I did the morning rush thing: Mama showered, dressed, coiffed, and makeup applied? Check. Baby dressed? Check. Big girl dressed? Check. Hair combed? Check. Breakfast served to both? Check. Lunch, snack, and backpack ready? Check.

Yes, we got everyone loaded up, driven across the street to the big church, unloaded, and even signed in. But when the classroom door opened, Reagan wouldn't go in. "I want you, Mama." OK, so she's being clingy. No problem. "Reagan, you already made your choice to come to preschool. All your friends will be here. You'll be fine when you start playing." "But I want you, Mama." "You have a choice: If you're well, you need to stay at preschool. But if you're still sick, we can go to the doctor." "But I want you, Mama."

After ten or fifteen minutes of threats and trying to pry her off me (her teacher ever tried to bribe her with "special" toys), we finally left...and, boy, was I mad! After the lecture I gave her on the way home, she was wailing and was sent to bed until she received further notice. Finally I calmed down and apologized for yelling but delivered her punishment: there would be no kid TV all day, no seeing Santa the following day as planned, and whatever else I decided to tack on as deemed necessary. She took it all pretty well and stayed in bed for a nap.

Shortly after, Presley was rubbing the eyes and asking for her pacifier. So I cuddled her for a few minutes until she fell asleep, then transferred her to her crib. After about ten seconds I heard the wailing. Given my morning, I let her wail for a while. I went in a couple of times to give her back her paci and even turn on music, but she still cried. After about 30 minutes, I gave up and got her up. We all ate lunch and went to Walmart.

On the way home from Walmart, Presley fell asleep. (We live less than a mile from the store!) I carried her to her crib where she, once again, woke up and wailed. I let her cry for a few minutes then she seemed to settle down. But it was short-lived: she only slept about 30 minutes. Ugh!

After a long afternoon of playing referee, I prepared dinner and waited for Scott to get home--5:45 couldn't get here soon enough! He called, stuck in traffic (really that was just the icing on the cake that was my day!), so we went ahead and ate. By six he was home, I was finished eating, and I excused myself.

I took a new novel, a beverage, and myself to my room for an hour. I put on my PJs and read in relative silence. It wasn't long, but it was enough to restore my sanity before the bedtime rush. I love my children, I really do. But sometimes Mom just needs a time out.