It’s working

I think that even if your plan isn’t working, the overall scheme is.

I say that as someone who isn’t home-schooling kiddos, so it’s possible that I have no idea what I’m talking about. But I think that rolling with the heretofore inconceivable concept of working and home schooling AT THE SAME TIME (noting that you’re on leave this week Mate, but still) sounds like a noteworthy achievement. I mean, that is a totally bonkers concept that no one would have dreamed into existence just a few months ago.  Kids have got to be learning a shit load about problem solving and adaptability through this exercise. Or something. Will just fucking rolling with it be the fourth R for this generation of school kids? Perhaps. 

I had a plan about what I was going to write today too, but alas. I spent the entire day with a teething baby and a four and a half year old who sure does like to ask a lot of questions. It’s not a very inspirational scenario, and  It’s only at the end of the day that I’m getting to put finger to keyboard. 

All I feel like saying now is how much I like this corner of my bedroom. I don’t know where to put that Kusama poster, but in the meantime I like looking  at it here. 

I had a plan

I had in my head the post that I wanted to write today but as I think we all know, planning some writing in your head is not the same as writing that thing. What I should have done was write it last night, once the kids were in bed and my brain was still halfway working. But like a fool I didn't do that, expecting - for some reason - that I'd be able to write it today. You see, I took a few days off work this week, and not working has meant that I haven't felt quite as bled dry as I had been previously. But today 'school' started. Needless to say, at only 11:30am I feel completely bled dry. But it's recess now so I'm writing this different post. As this is as far as I can remove my brain from the day, (ie. not at all).

I sort of had high hopes for school starting. That it would add structure to the day and tasks for the kids to complete. But with Newbie in grade 1 he needs a fair bit of help and with Baby generally being a child that lacks motivation, is easily distracted and doesn't want to do stuff, he needs basically constant monitoring. So my hopes have sunk somewhat. But it is only day one and I guess the only way is up. Although I guess down is also a possibility if I'm honest.

Kudos to those guys revisited

I'm always accidentally saying things that are probably making people feel bad about themselves, but let's just hope they think I'm a dipshit rather than feel bad about themselves. I'd be cool with that. I can't think of any examples of this because last night as I lay down with Newbie I prewrote a  blog post in my head based on the premise that K didn't write a blog post and then she went and spoiled it all by posting! And we all know that my brain isn't capable of thinking that much in a 24-hour period.

I was going to write about how I thought things were rough for me on Tuesday, but single mum life must have been really getting K down because she couldn't post. But then she did. Still, it didn't sound easy.

It's funny about being a temporary single parent. For a few days it's kind of great. You can do everything you want the way you want to do it. You can feed your children and yourself foodstuffs that your partner may consider "not a real dinner" like soup. Or chopped up vegetables and a boiled egg. You don't have to wait for him to get home either. When I'm single parenting the kids are always in bed way earlier than when LB is at home. And then I get to choose whatever I want to watch on Netflix without having to consider anyone else. It's great. And then, theoretically, I'd get the bed to myself. Except the children always think that LB's excuse means there is no reason for them not to sleep in my bed. Sigh.

However, after two or three nights of this it really does become bullshit. Like there is no one to go to the shop to buy beer and you have to brush the kids' teeth every night. And you have to clean the kitchen after dinner. Ugh. Word up to all the single parents out there because doing all the jobs all the time is bullshit. Lucky for K Appleheart comes home today. She must be pumped. I hope he brings her a bottle of whiskey from duty free.

Touching the void

Wednesdays are my days at home with KB. We get up and have a play, then go to the market for coffe, or Nino as KB likes to call it (an abbreviation of babycino). We usually go for a play in the park before heading home for a middle of the day nap. Nap time is a brilliant thing. You can lie around AND get things done if you're lucky. Most importantly, you get to regroup. This is pretty essential if you're going to make it through the afternoon play session, followed by the dinner/bath/storytime/bedtime marathon. 

I know older kids don't have naptime, and I know their parents just have to manage. I admire those people every day. But today, I AM that person. KB is refusing to nap. That means no regrouping for me. No cup of tea. No putting the washing out in a leisurely fashion. No food prep. Etc. etc. blah blah blah. I thought I was months away from this kind of thing. 

I'm not handling it well. I'm engaging in a little multimedia parenting while I figure out what to do next.