New Year: Same Old Me
As a kid I just loved the anticipation of a new school year. New teacher, new shoes, new books covered in new contact, new opportunities. And I loved school so by the end of the holidays I was ready and raring to get back into it. As a teacher nothing much changed! New students, new shoes, new books x 28, new opportunities. And I still loved school just as much. As a full time stay-at-home-mum though, everything is different. Don’t get me wrong. I love my choice to be home with the kids. It’s just that there’s no holiday from mothering little ones. No chance to recover from the year that has been and look forward to the one that’s coming.
New Year’s Eve, once a social calendar highlight (and definitely cause for a new outfit), now comes and goes without fireworks. Many of us don’t even see the new year in anymore, because we know that New Year’s Day means nothing to a toddler who will be up at 5am regardless! To top it all off, there’s nothing much new to help us celebrate the newness of the new year. I was thinking about all of this while sweeping the floors the other day. No, actually I was wallowing. My conversation with myself went something like this: Me: Everyone has something new and exciting this year except me. My amazing husband has amazing work opportunities because, well, he’s amazing. My daughter is going to kindy, which everyone knows is one of the most amazing places in the world. And everything is amazing to my son because he’s 15 months old. Me: Woe is you. Me: Yes, woe is me. Nothing amazing here. Same old me sweeping the same old mess off the same old floors with the same old broom. Me: You could get a new broom. Me: That’s ridiculous. Me: No it’s not. You used to get excited about new books, and they were for the new year’s work. Would a new broom help to re-energise your housework for the new year? Me: Maybe. Me: What if it was one of those really funky patterned brooms? Me: Now we’re getting somewhere. Me: Or you could just cover one in contact... Me: Ok, you can stop now. (Hopefully I’m not the only SAHM who has complete conversations with herself and I haven’t just scared away all my readers!) Being a full time mama isn’t like any other job on the planet, but in some ways it’s still a job. There are things to organise and tasks to get through and goals to reach. And while I don’t think of myself as a “housewife” there sure is a lot of housework wrapped up in raising kids. So maybe getting some new tools to help me be great at my job for another year isn’t such a silly idea. I’m thinking a gorgeous new diary for keeping organised. New hands-free mummy bag for juggling toddler+child+stuff. New steering wheel cover for countless car trips. And why not new shoes as well?! But first stop... swanky broom. I’m going to be sweeping in this new year in style. ___________________________________ Catherine Oehlman is a SAHM currently being raised by a terrific toddler and a curious crawler. Her background in primary education, love of the mothering journey and compulsion for writing collide on her SquiggleMum blog. Cath encourages other parents from all walks of life to maximise the time they spend with their children. 8 CommentsFeedAdd Comment |
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I’d love to write a pumped-up post to kick start “twenty ten” but to be honest, I’m not all that pumped up about the new year.
Monday, 11 January 2010
Looks like Im going back to work soon.
But Im sure I will find the old me somewhere.
Monday, 11 January 2010
I'm sure this year will be full of excitement for you, even if I understand the concept of going to bed as usual on New Year's Eve (but can't bring myself to do it).
Monday, 11 January 2010
@Nicole - chin up buttercup. Things have a way of working out...
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Thursday, 14 January 2010
This year my youngest (of three) heads off to kindergarten and for the first time in many years, the new year has brought some "new" things into my daily routine as well. I'm looking forward to an awesome 2010.
A funky new broom sounds like a good way of reminding yourself that your new year can be exciting and "colourful" as well. I'm looking forward to reading about your journey this year.
Friday, 15 January 2010
You describe my feelings about Motherhood so eloquently. I love it, too, but it is neverending just like the housework and the hours we keep.
Christine
Saturday, 16 January 2010
@ReadingUpsideDown - You won't know yourself this year, with all your kids at kindy/school! Hope 2010 is exciting and colourful for you too
Monday, 18 January 2010
PS - I loved your prangs/pride post - hilarious! And you're so right - we all do silly things sometimes but it doesn't stop it from being absolutely humilating