Five Minutes Peace

Do you ever have days with your little ones, where all you want to do is to pull your hair out?  I hope so, because I absolutely and very definitely do.  Don’t get me wrong, I love every moment of motherhood but even the best of us mums crave a little breathing space. 

A friend made a rather fabulous confession whilst we were sipping champagne in a bar together the other day. Fabulous, because it suddenly made me feel like I wasn’t alone in feeling no less than a little ruffled each day. She stated that she was a “train wreck” and she’s not even a mother yet so I figure I’m just about ok…for now. May I add now that she’s absolutely NOT a train wreck in any shape or form. Though we definitely all feel like one, at least maybe 3 times a week?!

I’m particularly on edge at the moment because I’m in the throes of setting up my new business. I have days of utter confidence and others of sheer panic. A baby and a business, who am I kidding?

My ultimate therapy is getting outside into the garden and doing something a little green-fingered. Nothing seems to heal in quite the same way – fresh air, exercise and getting your hands grubby with something other than dirty nappies and continual snotty tissues. Get out with the little ones or whilst the bubbas are sleeping – either way it can be a fabulous way for parents and kids alike to let their hair down.

We spend hours at home with our kids, chasing from endless toddler groups so it’s a rare and beautiful feeling to get out and do something un-pestered for an hour or so.

Now let me introduce you to my gorgeous daughter Tallulah-Jane. She is two years old and a delight, most of the time.  However, she has to be kept busy or else she goes stir-crazy. So every day, be it rain or shine I hoick the poor little thing into garden.

Nothing makes me happier than seeing Tallulah with fresh-air induced rosy cheeks whilst rooting about in the mud searching for worms. I warm my hands on a cuppa whilst she triumphantly brandishes the yukky wiggly things far too close to me for my liking – you’d think it would be The Small Child that was afraid of insects, not The Mother who works in gardens for a living.

So drag them (kicking and screaming if you have to) into the great outdoors because I can guarantee it’s easier to entertain them outside. I have to hurdle several strong protestations regarding “Beebies” (any mother who says she doesn’t let the kids watch it is lying…aren’t they?)  but once Tallulah is out there, she’s in an imaginative world of her own. She transforms from one of those need-to-be-entertained children, into my very own independent adventurer and I get five minutes peace and quiet…bliss.