I Heard That

Recently my mother-in-law offered to watch both of my daughters so I could get some things done around the house.

I of course jumped at the chance after a few twinges of guilt.  Do you ever feel guilty about needing an extra hand occasionally?  I guess I have a Supermom complex.

At a picnic we once had when our oldest was only one, someone had asked me caustically, "so what DO you do all day?"

She was a mom herself.  Of course it had been awhile since her daughter was little. I remember being taken back by that question since I could account for every minute of my day.

It took me over a minute to respond since I was reeling with shock at the woman's tone.  Also, considering many of the women in my neighborhood are stay-at-home moms.

I have a to-do list that will keep me busy until 2020.


The day my mother-in-law watched the girls:

As I folded laundry downstairs, I could have sworn I heard the youngest crying.

Not possible since she wasn't home.

Then, I thought I heard Emily playing in the living room.

Not possible since she wasn't home.

It turned out it was the cat playing with one of Emily's stray lego blocks.  Normally, our cat hides in the family room away from the girls.  Smart cat.

Then, I thought I heard my daughter's kids music CD playing.  I hadn't even had the tv on.

Not possible since Emily wasn't home to switch the CD player on.

It turns out it was my husband's computer game that he never switched off.

I even went to the grocery store and almost got one of those gigantic, unwieldy car carts.  I stopped myself, thank goodness.  Boy, would that have been a sight...

A grown woman sans kids walking through the grocery store with a car cart would probably have gained some attention.

Even when the girls weren't there, they obviously were still on my mind.  Maybe next time will be easier.  I can only hope so.

By the way, forget the Mommy guilt.  I couldn't believe how much stuff I was able to get done. I had forgotten how much I could get done when I could work uninterrupted.  No toy, potty, or snack breaks for the little ones.

Do you ever hear things when your children are not around?