Tuesdays are Mommy & Son days at our house . . . at least until he enters “real school”. This day is meant for my little guy and me to savor these last few months of his pre-school life so I can keep a bit of that stay-at-home-mom feel I want to give my family. Sadly, Mommy & Son days are often not as good as they sound. Many times, my Tuesdays are not a loving, connected day filled with fun for me and my kiddo. Instead, they are me playing catch-up or get-ahead with work while telling my little guy to hang on just a minute because now he’s home while I’m working. This morning, as I sat down to play catch-up, he increasingly got on my nerves. First it was asking for something every 10 seconds. Then it was chasing the dog. Then it was dumping all of the toys out of all of the bins in our living room. I caught myself griping at him and saying less than loving things through clenched teeth. And feeling guilty . . . in the very worst “I’m such a bad mommy,” kind of way.
Suddenly, I had an epiphany. I send him to a day school so I can work then and I kept him home on Tuesdays so I could enjoy that time with him. Why not do just that? Why not use the time I carved out as intended? Was there really anything on my plate so urgent that it couldn’t wait until I put him to bed this evening? I decided to put down the computer and to take him to lunch and then hit the park. It was a beautiful day out and the afternoon was simply wonderful. I loved playing, chatting and snuggling with him. I felt like a good mommy.
Although this blog is dedicated to photographers who are mothers, I write much more on the business and art of photography and less on motherhood. Sometimes, I feel like my life is more of the business and art of photography and less of motherhood. It is such a delicate balance, and I’m afraid very often my scale tips towards work. Today, however, motherhood weighed in victorious, and I’m hoping it does every Tuesday from now on. I’m hoping my words will inspire those of you who are juggling so many tasks to put them down for a moment and just enjoy your family. After all, aren’t they what we’re working for? I’m sending happy mommy vibes to all of you! Have a great day everyone.
(Here’s a favorite pic my hubby snapped just after trick-or-treating . . . I love this little dude!)
by Emily
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