Thursday, February 9, 2012
Like an Island
Writing is a solitary thing mostly, but lately I feel connected to other writers, so I don't feel as alone when I'm writing.
This past week, I haven't made much progress on my WIP, mostly because I've been super tired, a little sick, and I have a pinched nerve in my good hip. And there's the thing where my kids come first. I haven't had much time to be alone.
We pay big dollars for really awesome preschool so I can write for not quite three hours a day three days a week. On Tuesday, the teacher walked my child to my car (that's what they do at pricey preschool) and looked at me with an expression that made me worry what my small person had done wrong.
Apparently her look of disappointment was directed at me. Tuesday was parent day, and I had missed it. She told me I could come tomorrow, on Wednesday, on my last writing morning of the week during the time I had set aside to get caught up on my WIP. I said, "Of course I'll be there."
Parent morning was really fun (and there were lots of other parents who had also missed Tuesday). I did about thirty activities with my little guy and was scolded for helping him clean up. My motto is helping is a good example - their motto is the kids need to be empowered to do it themselves.
Apparently my little guy can use a paint brush to spread glue and then clean up the sticky mess all by himself with a sponge with no assistance from anyone. At one point we did a puzzle, and I dumped the pieces out. He said, "No dumping, Mom." They have music class on Wednesdays, which I thought just involved singing a song as a group, but apparently they have a Kindermusik teacher come in with tambourines and shaky eggs to do a mini class with them.
Today, I can't write. My small person is home this morning - Thursdays are our day together. I wish I could find some time to be isolated so I can get caught up with my writing - but it's not going to happen today. Maybe later tonight. Or tomorrow.
As someone who has plenty of free time to write, it's not that great. Really you have to enjoy these years because in 9-10 years the kid will be a teenager and start hating your guts for the next 9-10 years. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI choose to believe the teens just pretend to hate their parents.
DeleteIf I had all day to write, I probably wouldn't write much more than I do now. I'd just write for an hour or two and then feel guilty about not writing more.
Sorry about the obstacles! I have so been there on forgetting kid stuff. I sometimes joke that I forget I have children. I couldn't have been the at home parent.
ReplyDeleteSo interesting the opposing teaching philosophies... Sounds like your little guy is doing great.
The older two have had a lot going on. I was relieved that I was not the only one having to do a make-up day. :)
DeleteGreat post. Cherish this time with your children. I got tired of people always saying, "Enjoy it because you'll blink and it will be over." Well ... maybe it didn't happen quite that fast ... but I wonder how they jumped from being preschoolers to seniors in high school. My kids never really went through the teenager-hating-parents stage. I'm sad to think they'll be leaving soon (I have 2 HS Seniors).
ReplyDeleteBottom line: There will always be time later to write. Enjoy this time with your children.
I think it would be tragic to pass up on the special moments with my little guy (and older ones). (Mine don't hate me either - they think I'm funny.)
DeleteWhat a sweet post. It is hard, isn't it? I cannot write on work days. I can't seem to combine the two different energies. Some people can. I need my at-home quiet days. I like 3 days a week to write too. I'd like to play with glue and glitter too, though.
ReplyDeleteThis morning, we got out stampers, glue, glue sticks, markers, stickers, and store-bought valentines (which we glued onto the poster board). And we sang songs. If it's not a day he remembers, I definitely will.
DeleteI can't write with him because he tries to take over my keyboard and help me write.
I never hated my parents when I was a teen. I briefly thought they were aliens though.
ReplyDeleteNothing like a guilt trip from a preschool teacher, huh? At least you had fun yesterday!
I was convinced I was adopted...or abducted...or just found like a lost puppy.
DeleteI had a lot of fun with my little guy yesterday - and his friends.
It can be so hard finding time to write with kids. ;)
ReplyDeleteIsn't it crazy how people can have such different ideas about how to do things? I would have helped him clean too :)
It's Montessori - their goal is independence. My goal is good manners. :)
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