Uncategorized

The difference between us

Whenever I go anywhere with all three of my children aged five and under, people can’t but help to observe (aloud) that I have my hands full.  Whether they think I am crazy, or are in awe or are disgusted, I don’t know.  But they certainly like to tell me (as if I don’t know) that I am a busy lady.  When they say such things, I smile and chuckle and my life of conquering toddler meltdowns goes on.

And though being a mom keeps my plate pretty full, I also manage to participate in the women’s activities at church,  sell Mary Kay, and of course, blog among other things.

I think I am pretty normal, but I am totally baffled as to why people are so baffled about all the things that I fill my time with.

For example, there is this woman at my son’s preschool (we’ll call her Jan) who is just constantly amazed (or so it would seem based on her comments) as to how I get it all done.  “You have three kids and you do all that?  Wow, ” she says.  Followed by, “I can’t even imagine.  I  have such a hard time with just one kid.”

Seriously?

To her credit, her child is a handful,  and I am not out to offend parents of only children either, because parenting is tough no matter how you slice it.  But Jan’s comments make it sound like she is just totally overwhelmed with her life and doesn’t have room for any other activities.  Everytime I see her she seems frazzled.  I mean, he’s toilet trained.  I feel bad for her, because she seems legitimately stressed, but I don’t know how to relate.

And then last night as I looked around my dirty house it dawned on me.  As I shuddered at the laundry everywhere and the cereal ground into the carpet and the milk spills on the pergo I figured it our.  As I smelled the bathroom smell that I can’t quite extinguish and stepped in something sticky I suddenly knew.  Deep within me I just knew.  Well, okay, fine.  I assumed.

Jan has a clean house.

And I don’t.  I don’t have time (or desire) to clean!  I’m way too busy don’t you think?