Being Mom Never 'Gets Easier'

A neighbor with a baby on her hip and one wrapped around her leg comments how envious she is of my freedom. How easy my life is.  I smile and nod my head. Inside I'm laughing...deviously. There is so much I want to tell her. But what is the point? One day she will figure it out. Being a mom doesn't get easier the older your kids get. It's just different.

I know where she is coming from. My kids are gone for 6 hours a day, Monday through Friday. During that time, I run to Target alone and have coffee with a friend. It is nice. However, when 2:30 rolls around my free time is over!

My kids bound through the door with clomping footsteps announcing I'm hungry! as they deposit backpacks, shoes, coats, sweatshirts, snack wrappers, leaves, rocks, and other collected garbage from their walk home. Welcome home, lovely children.

The chattering continues.
I'm tired.
It was hot at school.
I fell down at recess.
I need lunch money.
Can I play First in Math?

Oye! I don't have to tell my kids to use their words. They know a hundred million of them. And they use every.single. one until bedtime.

I love to hear about their day. One at a time and preferably only highlights.

Then there are the questions. It starts with Why? at a very young age. Looking back, you will think those Why? questions were adorable. One word question. A simple answer. When they get older, asking questions becomes a game. The goal: Make mom lose her cool.

First, the questions become more specific, then multi-parts, and then hypotheticals. If they get to level 4, then they start asking questions you have absolutely no answer for. Unfortunately, school age children are not content with I don't know. In fact, they believe I don't know is a way of withholding information from them. And getting that information is a completely different game they like to play.

In recent weeks, my daughter has perfected the Annoying Questions game. She loves to bring me things other people have bought and ask me how much they cost.

Hmm... I don't know. I didn't buy it.
Well, how much do you think it costs?
Three dollars.
Do you think it's more expensive than this? 
I don't know. I didn't buy it. 
Well, just guess.
Umm...no. I don't think it is more expensive than this.
How much does this cost?
I don't know. I didn't buy it.
Just guess.
Why, are you planning to buy one?
No, I'm just wondering. 
GRRR.

And the game continues until mom goes off the deep end. It's apparently a really fun game...for kids.

Neighbor, I know your tired. I know the babies cry and taking them to the store is more effort than it's worth. But, my unsolicited advice, be thankful you run the show right now. One day these kids will use their words instead of crying and whining. They will be equipped with memories and logic. And they will use all three to get on your last nerve. Just to amuse themselves. 

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