Summer is half way over, and it is just now getting hot. Weather-wise
it has been a cool, wet summer. This means the grass is very green and the mosquitos
are feasting.
It’s our first summer in the new house and we are enjoying it.
The first 4th of July party was a success. The big back yard proved
the perfect setting for all that is expected; yard games, eating, drinking,
playing and general debauchery. Jonathan even surprised me by renting an “inflatable
babysitter” or bounce house.
Right now the girls are currently taking mid summer swim
lessons. This was not a well planned or thought out event. It was all brought
on because Caroline freaked me out. Each and every night, right before she’d
close her eyes to go to sleep, she look up at me worried and say “Momma, I don’t
want Maggie to go under the water.” Well neither do I! The first night I
thought it was a fluke, but it became as regular as nighttime prayers. Seriously
kid, what are you doing to me? Each night I have to reassure her that Maggie is
safe in her own bed and no where near water.
She got into my head man. I had to DO SOMETHING.
So here we are, in the only lessons that had availability for both of them at the same time. They are every night Monday –
Thursday for two weeks. Here I am, week two, telling all of you working
mothers, THIS WAS A BAD IDEA. I’m going to skip through the normal every day routine and
just focus on what we now have crammed into the short two hours after work but
before bed time.
The bell rings at and
I’m off – bolting from my desk to fight 12,000 employees all of whom are also
trying to get somewhere equally important. I’m cursing traffic the entire way
to the sitters house, weighing the idea of racing home for a bite or giving in
and getting fast food. I ensure I have a bag packed with their swimsuits,
swim diaps for Mags, towels, my swimsuit and appropriate pool attire (flip
flops, not the heels I wore to work). Once I wrangled the children from the sitter
into their car seats, we are back in the car, cursing more traffic and settling
on fast food. At every red light I’m slinging french fries and nuggets in the vicinity
of the back seat. We arrive at the pool and I try to gather ALL THE THINGS
before I unload the two children. They continue to fight with me as I insist
they eat the APPLE SLICES TOO. Backpack on, still in heels I sling the little
one on my hip and hold tight to the other one’s hand as we weave through the
parking log and toward the pool bathroom. Once inside we all change clothes. One
child undoubtedly escapes to run around the pool bathroom naked with NO SHOES
ON, busting in on a poor soul trying to use the curtained room to change. My
naked children do not understand your sense of modesty lady, can’t you tell? Finally
everyone is changed. Then Caroline has to pee. wah wah
Finally we are dressed and ready to swim. We go find a bench
and wait. For them, this is the hardest part. I mean, the pool is right there. But guess
what? The class hasn’t started yet so we wait. I’ll get the timing right by the last day
of class…
Once class does start, I make solid eye contact with
Caroline’s teacher. You see this one? I’m leaving her with you now. You see her
right? I have to walk away and you are now responsible for my BABY.
I then proceed to the mommy and me class, strap the
unwilling youngest into the floatation device and reluctantly get into the
pool. I make happy faces and noises to try and encourage her despite the “no,
no, no, no, no” coming from her mouth. Listen kid, you’d better get used to
this cause your sister is having crazy premonitions about you and water! After she
gathers that the barrage of emphatic no’s are being ignored the hitting and
scratching ensues. Here’s the thing with Maggie. It isn’t the water she’s
objecting to, it’s that this swim lesson is not what she wants to be doing at this exact
moment in time.
Finally – after what seems like an eternity, but has only been two minutes – Dada arrives. Maggie cries with joy and relief. I echo
her sentiments. I tag out and wrap a towel
around my translucent skin. Then I take my perch where I can see both
classes keep my maternal watch.
By the end of swim lessons, we are all worn out which results in a
usually a tantrum or two (only one has been mine so far). The children and bundled up like sausages in their
towels. We carry them to the car and get home. Once they go to bed, I fire up the washing machine, repack the bag and prepare to do it all again the next day.
OMG, don’t do it this way!
I will admit that Caroline is doing great and she is being
stretched outside of her comfort zone, sometimes crying the whole time, but
hopefully feeling brave and accomplished when it’s over. UPDATE Last night Caroline was pushed way
beyond her comfort zone. She was hysterical the majority of the class. I
practically had to restrain myself so as not to intervene! But I totally trust
the instructor. When we got home she said “Momma, I don’t do swim lessons
anymore”. Then we had to have a talk. We’ll see how tonight goes…
Maggie on the other hand is missing the point. Don’t forget
that her well being is the whole reason I forced us all into this hectic
schedule. Ce la vie
But look at all the happy pictures that disguise the anxiety
and stress…..
