Thursday, September 16, 2010

10 minutes

Ok, we have 10 minutes until we have to be out the door for soccer and a band performance. I'm skipping dinner tonight. I have officially run out of time. I canned 19 quarts of pears and a couple of quarts of peaches today. Then Erica called and needed me to pick her up at school unexpectedly. So, I drove to school instead of showering. When we got home I showered instead of making dinner. Believe me, it's kinder to humanity that I showered and didn't make dinner instead of the other way around. The kids are thrilled because I said they could make their own breakfast for dinner. I have no idea why that is so appealing, but it is.

Now I find myself with 7 minutes to spare. Still no time to make dinner, but time for a few random thoughts. All of which just left my head...

First- if you have children in elementary school or younger and you're trying to delude yourself into thinking that life will slow down when they get to high school and can drive themselves everywhere and not need nap times and rigid schedules, stop. It is a fallacy. Reality is going to slap you hard in the face. Practice now to schedule out huge blocks of time so you won't miss them later. Also, practice just getting in the car and driving from one point to another all over town for a couple of hours now so that in a few years the seat is already molded around your derriere. Ask a neighbor what the good radio stations are and just set your controls there now. It will save a lot of headache when no one can find the songs they want. I never set mine before and they went to randomness or static. Not any more. You could also check into automatic pilot functions for places like the schools and soccer fields. That will give you a few extra minutes to just think when you're on the one-way portion of the trip that has no one else in the car.

This is not a complaint session. For the most part, the drives are a good time to visit with your child or listen to their conversations and stay up on their lives. Just one night in September I'd like to all be home at once. Maybe I'd even make dinner for such a special occasion.

Oops, over on time. See ya later!

9 comments:

Stacy said...

I can totally relate. I was actually thinking about posting something very similar on my own blog, but now that I have commented on yours, I have run out of time. Teenagers, gotta love em.

Mom O' Nine said...

I watched a segment on the Today Show today. It was pretty interesting. 50 year olds comprise the most American's right now, followed by 20 year old boys. They were surprised at what the two age groups had in common. Your post kind of reminded me a bit of it, as the 50 year old men did not feel their wives needed to be at home with the family (even when the kids were young) and the 20 year old men thought it was important. The 50 year olds thought divorce was fine, the 20 year olds did not. Matt Lauer tried to say the 20 year olds did not have life experience to know about divorce. The guy he was interviewing said they had PLENTY of experience, as most of them came from divorced homes. I just found this interesting and hope marriage is strengthened by these young ones. Also, I only have two kids at home and the youngest is a senior in high school. When I read your posts and hear about Beth's, etc. I have no clue how any of you would work full time....as it would really be an adjustment for this group if they couldn't call on me to "rescue" everyone, get what they forget, etc. Good, busy life I have. I could go on about being a "hands on" grandma, but my 7 minutes is up....Thanks for letting me go on....delete me if you like. :)

Julie said...

Shannon, I haven't blogged in a few days because I feel like all my life consists of this week is driving the CAR back and forth, back and forth. I hear ya!!!!

Julie said...

You have been my muse and now I have written a post for this week. :) Funny, but I just followed you home (a half hour ago) from THS.

Lisa W said...

So, so true! You would think my summer gas bill would be higher due to road trips and vacations. No, it's higher during the school year during the running around season of my life. And what is it about the appeal of breakfast for dinner? Why aren't they as excited about breakfast for breakfast as they are about breakfast for dinner?

NatureGirl said...

One of life's greatest blessings is that children think you are a hero when you let them have breakfast for dinner. God is merciful.

Sally said...

Well, I left a comment on Julie's blog because I read her's first. But, believe it or not, there will come a day when these will be fond memories. :)

luvmymunchkins said...

Thanks for the advice! I'll remember to be thankful I have 4 additional appendages, even when they are all clamoring for my attention at the same time. At least they're all home and I'm not molding myself to the car seat!

Joy For Your Journey said...

So true, so true!! I thought life was so busy when my kids were small. Now I am amazed at how much more I got done then than when they got older. Oh well. Eventually they all leave and you miss running them around. My youngest recently got her driver's license so now runs herself around and I really do miss the time in the car with her.

P.S. I am glad you showered instead of eating dinner. :-) Hopefully though you got something to eat later.