Dear Emily and Harry,
I hope you’re having a good day at school. You’ll be reading, painting a picture, wowing everyone with your number skills … In a few hours time, you’ll come running out of your classrooms with smiles and stories of your day. You won’t remember the chaos of the morning or the things that were said amidst the panic of trying to leave the house on time. But I do. You see, Mummy loses her s*** every now and then. It’s not fun for me either as the guilt sets in the second I walk from your classroom door. But in that moment, some of the little things that make the morning so frantic make a little more sense.
This morning I lost it because neither of you could find your school shoes. What none of us remembered was, they were in the kitchen on a sheet of newspaper because you had both wanted to polish them together after school yesterday. You both did such a great job and looked so smart going into school!
This morning I lost it because you both seemed to take an age to eat your breakfast. What I missed was the fact that this was because you were both sharing the day ahead and the things you were excited about with each other. A conversation that was calm, cooperative and simply, beautiful.
This morning I lost it because Harry, you came downstairs with what seemed like more toothpaste down your jumper than went into the sink. A quick, hassle-free jumper change would possibly have made me grateful for your independence and desire to follow the routine, and appreciative of your help in doing these things for yourself.
This morning I lost it because you both insisted on pushing the acoustics of the living room to bursting point whilst getting dressed as you sang your way through the songs you are both learning in school. But if I’m honest, I can’t think now of a better way for you to start the day! Your happiness is often clouded by our need to stick to the routine and my need to think straight. Keep singing kids!
This morning I lost it because you were walking to school soooo slowly. There I was, watching the minutes pass with each step and urgency takes over. But Emily, look at all the conkers and leaves you collected for the collage you said you wanted to make. I’m sorry I forgot we were going to do that.
This morning I lost it because you announced to me, 2 minutes from the school gate, that you left your homework at home. I had told you last night to put it straight in your bag as you’d worked really hard on it and didn’t want to leave it at home. But you didn’t. And you left it at home. But now I remember why. You were so proud of it, you wanted to show it to Daddy. He was home late and told you he’d look at it when you had gone to bed. We looked at it together and talked about how wonderful it was. Then we put it on the table.
This morning I lost it because, I am human, I am a Mum and you kids matter to me. This morning I lost it, but now I understand, and I just wanted you to understand too. I lost it because sometimes Mummies do, but then sometimes, we ‘get’ it and we smile … And we do it all again tomorrow!
Love from Mummy
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A candid post on a very familiar scenario. Thank you for sharing.
Brilliant and so true.
I lost it this morning because as we were about to leave the house I realised that my son didn’t have any socks on, even though i had been telling him for the past 10 minutes to get his socks and shoes on. But on the way to school he held my hand and said sorry that he forgot to put his socks on but he was too busy checking on his older brother who was upstairs in bed not well.
I spend most of my days rushing from one place to another i forgot to be mindful of whats happening around me.
We’re only mum’s after all!
It’s great to read some honest parenting for a change! The yummy mummy’s on social media don’t seem to have issues like the rest of us!
We all loose it ! What’s important is the little ones will soon forget with all the love you show them – it’s us adults that feel it more ??
Love this brings back memories and if you really read it everyone should step back and give it some thought
I love how honest this is. I have a 16 week old baby and boy do I find it difficult. I never used to be phased by anything, but now I lose it over the silliest things. I’ll break down and cry over absolutely nothing. I never used to cry before, but since becoming a mum my emotions are through the roof. I don’t imagine it will get any better as he grows up either.
I lost it a few weeks ago and ended up cutting my arm and headbutting a cupbosrd so hard my son had to drag me away and the neighbours thought I was hammering nails in the wall!! We all lose it sometimes, it just needs someone there to help you cope!
I could have written this Clare, mornings are such a challenging time in our house and I often lose it completely. A good reminder here!
This is me every day. The guilt is unbearable. I always try and see the positives though and this is beautifully written.
I am sure most of us have had a similar experience at this hectic time of the day!