Spring break is finally here, and my offspring couldn’t be happier. The much-needed hiatus from the grueling homework and extra-curricular schedule is always nice. However, the time off will be a mixed bag for me.
This week will be a precursor of what’s to come this summer – a little taste to whet my appetite. The euphoria I’m feeling over not having to drag them (or me) out of bed in the wee hours, deal with bickering over the bathroom, and run the roads from 2:00-8:00 p.m. will be short-lived. I’m simply not hungry for squabbling siblings, and I’m speaking from experience when I say that I’ll need a break after spring break.
Gosh, this would be so much more fun if I was writing to all of you from a posh, tropical resort instead of going off on a rant about how I anticipate the week “going down”. Our esteemed financial advisor (me) ruined everyone’s plans by announcing some months ago that since we’re putting braces on one, and buying a truck for another, we have just enough money to stay home and enjoy each other’s company.
Within the first 24 hours, there will be a major disagreement amongst my little darlings over exactly what constitutes spring- break fun, and where to allocate the time and money provided. Adding to that monumental issue is the sad fact that my children have been cursed with two first-born stick-in-the-mud parents. My and Jeff’s finer points don’t rest in leisure-time activities.
When it comes to making entertainment decisions, our house is as much divided as the Democrats and Republicans. Jeff and I are the evil conservatives, and our children represent the more free-wheeling Democrats. Unfortunately for the kids, we are the party currently in control of the house and fiscal matters.
Jeff took the week off as well, so we’ll have all sorts of family fun. I’m almost giddy just thinking about it. Misery loves company, and I can’t think of a better person to share all that (sibling) love with. I predict that before the week is out, we’ll all be reminded of the truth in the saying, “absence makes the heart grow fonder”.
I don’t mean to sound as if I don’t enjoy the company of my family. It’s just that I’ve become jaded by spring-break past. As a young, inexperienced mother, I started off with visions of sunshine, backyard fun, butterflies, rainbows, and Hallmark moments.
Those dreams shattered over the years as I dealt with bickering, “I’m bored”, and playing cops and robbers so realistically that 911 was called. Don’t worry, there were no real injuries, but the “good guy” hung up on the operator before he made an actual report, and learned that the police still show up. How about that? The officers even stayed to chat for a few minutes; I think they realized they may have been needed at my house for a whole different reason.
I’ve decided I will survive. My middle child has actually provided the answer to what will save my sanity: Time goes by much faster when he’s NOT at school. Funny how that works so well for him…I can’t seem to catch that break.
Tags: spring break