This time of year, it is insane with the elevation of Pumpkin Spice this and Pumpkin spice that. I do not know who the genius is that developed this crazy marketing ploy, but they were definitely onto something. Because apparently even Jimmy Fallon knows it’s not Fall until Pumpkin Spice lattes are being crafted in the coffee shops. I had a good laugh recently when I heard of a hardware store posting on their marquis that they had “Pumpkin Spice” tools! Hurry! Rush into the hardware store before they sell out!
It got me thinking, wouldn’t it be nice if there was some an extra ingredient that could be added to Motherhood at this crazy time of year when schedules shift, kids start back with the petri dish of germs, the events, practices, homework, team pictures, dances, parent volunteer hours and the holidays all converging at the same time? Some magical additive to make it all more manageable?
Recently Ice and I attended pre-school orientation for Little Bee. We squirmed in our seats through all the Do’s, Don’ts and Be Sures. We had been handed her very first homework assignment of her academic career that is just a seedling right now. We were off to Do Good and get her started on the path to sharing with classmates and the proper use of a glue stick.
Standing in line at pre-school for Little Bee on her second day I heard the Mom behind me tell her son they forgot to dress him like the color of the day and bring a coordinating item for show and tell. Now by this time we had forgotten to even DO the homework Bee was assigned to bring on the first day and now on the Second day we had failed yet again!
I laughed, turned around and blurted out
“We forgot to wear red today too! We’re just gonna roll with it!”
She replied
“This is my third child, I’m not really worried about it!”
“Mine too!” I said. “I think I know a few people who might let this bother them all day. Congratulations, YOU are one highly evolved Mom!”
Let it Go. That’s my extra ingredient. That is my Pumpkin Spice.
In that moment, it became so clear to me just how much I have let go of since my first two were younger. How much needless stress, worry and fear of judgment I have left in the dust. How it’s okay to be the one who screws up. It makes all the other Moms feel less alone and sub-par. It might make someone who usually finds themselves always feeling three steps behind stand up and cheer
“It’s not my turn this time!”
And I say, good for her. I am happy to help.
Now don’t get me wrong, stress and the desire to have well-mannered, well-prepared kids and the like are still lurking out there somewhere sometimes. Like when I want to have lunch out with friends and I simply cannot subject them to one more biscuit thrown at the wait staff, one more crayon broken and eaten for good measure. But mostly for my reaction to it all! It gets tiring.
Which brings me to my second ingredient. Sleep.
My advice – get it whenever you can.
Like this post? Catch me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/titanimom
© Jennifer Scheidt and Titanimom, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jennifer Scheidt and Titanimom with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
2 Comments
Pumpkin Spiced Latte’s make me a better person too! Cheers!
I am not so sure that Pumpkin spice late is making me better person but for sure it is making me so happy person. Cheers and Happy Holidays :)))