Parenting Australia

If I had a whole day to myself…

This week we are talking about pregnancy and newborns. As a mother of a 7 year old and a 4 year old, that time seems a distant memory. However, I do remember very well that it marks the end of life as you know it, and the beginning of a new life (baby’s and yours).

Sometimes that time with a brand new baby, a stranger in the house, I used to think, is really tough. Suddenly you’ve morphed into someone you don’t even recognise – either surprising yourself with your new found capabilities, or sometimes distraught at not being able to pull a comb through your hair - you’ve been so busy/occupied/exhausted.


Mihiri Udabage

Most significant for me on becoming a mum, was the all-consuming, ever-present existence of another person, completely dependent on me for their survival. And even though my children are older now, nothing’s really changed. Instead of one shadow, I now have three.

Sometimes in the dark of a slumbering household, in that six seconds between when my head hits the pillow and I am asleep, I do wonder what I would do if I had a whole day, one whole day to myself, with no time pressure to cook for, feed, bathe or clothe anyone.

So I’ve made a list. I’m a great one for lists. This one surprised me in its simplicity. I would:-

• sleep in until at least, oh, I don’t know…dawn.


• open my eyes of my own volition in the morning, instead of having them pried open for me


• catch every word of the morning news programme


• brazenly eat a Kit Kat for breakfast (instead of hiding and eating it)


• bust out one or two sit ups without colliding with anyone who may choose that same time to play horsey on my chest


• attend to my toiletry requirements…alone


• brush one set of teeth


• choose clothes without engaging in the running sideline commentary on the merits of this belt or that dress


• wear something without pockets


• bend to tie my shoelace without anticipation of someone jumping on my back


• no forget that one, I’ll wear ridiculously high heels and be free to fall over


• carry a silly little handbag that barely fits my lip gloss


• be in the car, seated, within four seconds


• have one hand free at all times (except when driving of course)


• bound up a staircase


• push an elevator button


• stand calmly on the pavement of a busy road intersection, without agitating my head off its axle looking for oncoming danger


• amble


• eat at a restaurant that has linen napkins


• fill my trolley with ice cream


• order jalapenos on my pizza


• talk to my husband


• remember something


• finish something


• go a whole day without the words Dora the Explorer passing my lips


• go to bed, not fall into bed at night, and not get up again until morning.

However, having gone to bed, I rather suspect I would dream of small fingers curled around my neck, high pitched squeals, running games that rock the house, and pillow soft cheeks to bury my kisses in, and I would wish away my day all to myself and will the morning to come too soon.

If you had a day all to yourself, what would you do? Let us know by sharing in the comment box below.

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Mihiri Udabage is a 30-something mother of two, now feeling old enough to use terms like 30-something. She loves Sundays more than Saturdays but is grateful for both. She hates ironing. In between growing up two little citizens, Mihiri spends time working on her on-line Fair Trade and Organic business www.generationwonder.com, volunteering for global charity Room to Read, doing canteen duty at school, and entering Fun Runs she has no hope of actually running. Mihiri has a husband who thinks she is loopy but who supports her anyway. She wishes she had written Twilight but acknowledges that could never happen because she can never remember her dreams. However, Mihiri is about to enrol in a screenwriting course that will see her write a movie that will knock Twilight for a six. Mihiri continues to dream...

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