At What Point do you go from Mom to Maid?
This is supposedly a Wellness or Healthy Living Blog so I really don't write much about personal issues and home life. When I do, I rationalize it as being for mental health. This is one of those times. I am normally a pretty perky person. So much so that my boys often ask me to tone it down in the mornings and NOT be so perky. I'm normally in a pretty good mood, but today find myself pretty grouchy. The problem is I am completely taken advantage of by these beings in my home who find it appropriate to do very little for themselves and expect someone (uh, me) to come behind them and "fix things". This means clean up after them, find the missing baseball hat, wash a pair of pants on a second's notice, allow them to take a 20 minute shower while everyone else waits, pick them up at a moments notice, drive them here, yonder and where without a thought. And the list could go on and on and on.
As I'm typing this I'm not even sure I will publish it. I don't want to sound so snarky, whiney and spoiled. I am a Mom. I am a wife. I get that and all of these things go with the territory. That's all good with me. I love the role. I love being in this season of my life. Also, I am very fortunate to have time to do these things for my family. That's right, The Husband doesn't escape my wrath this morning. I guess I'm the only one around here with working hands to make up a bed or fingers to call the plumber . . . I digress. I am saying that I so appreciate my life and know that my boys, husband, home and homelife are a gift. However, at what point do I stop being their Mom and simply become their maid?
Currently, in the mindset I am right now, I think it's when I get up extra early to make a good breakfast and only one will actually take the time to eat it. And sometimes that one will complain about its contents. I think it's when I am the only one who seems to see and pick up the empty food and candy wrappers and plastic bottles in their rooms. I think it's when I am the only one who realizes that trash cans are placed conveniently in said rooms and that it actually doesn't take much energy to put said trash in said cans. I think it's when I am expected to find missing sweat pants, hats, and school shirts. Mind you, I have never and never plan to wear any of these items of clothing that I am expected to find. I think it's when I am expected to purchase new running shoes, baseball cleats, football cleats or whatever you want to place in the blank here, on a day's notice. I think it's when it is assumed that I really do not do anything worthwhile from the hours of 8 am until 3 pm. I think it's when I seem to be the only one who thinks of feeding the dogs, buying and then feeding crickets to the leopard ghecko that also lives with us, not to mention cleaning up after and bathing those dogs and cleaning out the nasty habitat of the leopard ghecko. Also, if I live in a house full of boys why is it that I seem to be the only person capable of changing a light bulb? These are just a few of the times that I feel as if I've crossed the line from being a Mom to merely being a maid to these beings living in the home.
So, I know I may be complaining a whole lot more than necessary and likely, I'm not doing anything that other Moms out there aren't doing. I will confess, though, that I already feel better after getting this off my chest. I have probably made my boys sound terribly lazy and thoughtless. They are really good boys and at times can be heart-breakingly sweet and thoughtful. It's just that there are times I think that I've had enough and they need to be put in their places. This is one of those times. And if I have to hear one more time that I will miss it when they are gone I might just hit someone. I know I will miss them. Heck, I'm already dreading next year when the First Son goes off to college. I know I will miss him. However, I cannot for a minute imagine that I will miss the dirty underwear and socks that litter the floor in and around his room!
So, what do you think? Do you ever feel completely taken advantage of? Am I merely sounding like a bad Mom? Is it just too much to expect these boys to look after themselves and take control over their stuff? Any ideas for me on this one? Are you thinking I need to be put in my place?
Feeling so much better now! My mental health has vastly improved! I hope yours too if you were feeling a bit like med! Have a Happy Day!
As I'm typing this I'm not even sure I will publish it. I don't want to sound so snarky, whiney and spoiled. I am a Mom. I am a wife. I get that and all of these things go with the territory. That's all good with me. I love the role. I love being in this season of my life. Also, I am very fortunate to have time to do these things for my family. That's right, The Husband doesn't escape my wrath this morning. I guess I'm the only one around here with working hands to make up a bed or fingers to call the plumber . . . I digress. I am saying that I so appreciate my life and know that my boys, husband, home and homelife are a gift. However, at what point do I stop being their Mom and simply become their maid?
Currently, in the mindset I am right now, I think it's when I get up extra early to make a good breakfast and only one will actually take the time to eat it. And sometimes that one will complain about its contents. I think it's when I am the only one who seems to see and pick up the empty food and candy wrappers and plastic bottles in their rooms. I think it's when I am the only one who realizes that trash cans are placed conveniently in said rooms and that it actually doesn't take much energy to put said trash in said cans. I think it's when I am expected to find missing sweat pants, hats, and school shirts. Mind you, I have never and never plan to wear any of these items of clothing that I am expected to find. I think it's when I am expected to purchase new running shoes, baseball cleats, football cleats or whatever you want to place in the blank here, on a day's notice. I think it's when it is assumed that I really do not do anything worthwhile from the hours of 8 am until 3 pm. I think it's when I seem to be the only one who thinks of feeding the dogs, buying and then feeding crickets to the leopard ghecko that also lives with us, not to mention cleaning up after and bathing those dogs and cleaning out the nasty habitat of the leopard ghecko. Also, if I live in a house full of boys why is it that I seem to be the only person capable of changing a light bulb? These are just a few of the times that I feel as if I've crossed the line from being a Mom to merely being a maid to these beings living in the home.
So, I know I may be complaining a whole lot more than necessary and likely, I'm not doing anything that other Moms out there aren't doing. I will confess, though, that I already feel better after getting this off my chest. I have probably made my boys sound terribly lazy and thoughtless. They are really good boys and at times can be heart-breakingly sweet and thoughtful. It's just that there are times I think that I've had enough and they need to be put in their places. This is one of those times. And if I have to hear one more time that I will miss it when they are gone I might just hit someone. I know I will miss them. Heck, I'm already dreading next year when the First Son goes off to college. I know I will miss him. However, I cannot for a minute imagine that I will miss the dirty underwear and socks that litter the floor in and around his room!
So, what do you think? Do you ever feel completely taken advantage of? Am I merely sounding like a bad Mom? Is it just too much to expect these boys to look after themselves and take control over their stuff? Any ideas for me on this one? Are you thinking I need to be put in my place?
Feeling so much better now! My mental health has vastly improved! I hope yours too if you were feeling a bit like med! Have a Happy Day!
