Juggling
If you're a working parent I'm sure you'll be able to relate. But I still feel horrible. I doubt there's much anyone can say that will make me feel better.
It happened this morning. 4+ inches of snow on the ground. Mommy's getting ready to go back to work after being home sick for the last 2 days. Baby Mallory is hungry, but frustrated because that runny nose she has isn't making drinking the bottle very easy.
My mind is on getting that snow off my new driveway, patio and sidewalk on our corner lot. And I'm hoping to start on it before Mommy leaves for work at 8am.
Not gonna happen! It's just not in the cards today.
The bottle wasn't working. Mallory can't breath while trying to drink and becomes fussy. So...off I go to get some Gerber Peaches in a jar. She finishes that in record time but is still hungry. Now Mary is off to work. "Bye-bye Mommy." My mind is still on getting to the driveway and sidewalk.
Mallory finishes a jar of Gerber Bananas, which "daddy" discovered are very good by the way.
I put Mallory in front of the TV. It's about 8:15am and Sesame Street is on. I figure if I get outside as fast as I can, I should have the sidewalk cleared by 9am and just in time to tune in to the Doodlebops on Toon Disney!
I strap Mallory into her little swing that sits real low to the ground. It's pretty cool. Has some tropical sounds that play and little characters that hang above her to look/grab at.
When I came back inside to check on her today about 10-15 min. later, I find her leaned forward flopped out of her chair! (it sits real low to the ground)
My heart jumps in my throat as I immediately think the worst and yell "Mallory!", running to get her. She moves as I startled her and I pick her up.
I'm searching her for any bumps, bruises or blood. (My god I've turned into my paranoid father.) She seems fine. In fact, she's looking at me like "What's the big deal? I was taking a nice nap." I can't help but shake and actually shed a few tears. How could I be so stupid!? I should have known better than to leave her in the house for that long unattended.
I thought having her strapped into her little chair it would have been fine and she couldn't possibly go anywhere. Let alone lean forward and fall out.
Being a working parent takes a lot of juggling. And sometimes clearing the sidewalk, mowing the lawn and those other household choirs are just going to have to wait.
I wondered if I should even write about this in my blog. But I've never claimed to be perfect and it shows here. I'm not afraid to admit when I've made a mistake. Mallory is not hurt. Another lesson learned.
Feb 5, 2008 at 3:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
I realized today on the way to taking my 7 yr old daughter to school that she is more important than anything. We were going to be running late for school and I made the comment that the road was slippery. My daughter looks at me and says "So what if we are late mom, as long as we get there safe is all that matters". I realized she was right. Wether it is taking your kids to school, shoveling, or taking out the garbage. It can all wait.
Feb 2, 2008 at 7:24 a.m.
Suggest removal
Like I said before--no one is perfect. We as parents learn from the mistakes we made growing up and try not to let our children make the same mistakes we did. Mallory is growing and trying to do things she think she can. This proves your little girl is growing and learning. Some learning experiences she will have will be fine(today's lesson) some will not(the first time she decides the couch is a diving board), but they will all teach her and you and Mary as parents. Good luck!
Feb 1, 2008 at 2:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
JB,
Every parent in the world has had "that" moment. Funny how children force your priorities to change. Let the neighbors gossip about the long grass and snow covered walk. You have "real" work to take care of.
((hug))
~Rose
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