Finley and I are driving each other nuts. The child never stops talking and according to the ludicrously demanding little monster all my human rights died a death the day they sliced my tummy open and whipped him kicking and screaming into the world. I think he’s unreasonable about just about everything and he thinks I’m a cow because I don’t consider gluten free bourbon
Thank goodness he starts pre-school on Monday.
Oh I know. I’m supposed to wail and mourn because my baby is, at three years old about to don a mini uniform and troop off to mix with the great unwashed for four hours a day for the next two years, but really, would you consider me wicked if I told you I could dance with glee?
I’ve got visions of re-inventing my whole life in the fours a day we are out of each others hair. Of finally finding the time to make
But we’ll see. No doubt I’ll find myself hopping back into bed in freshly pressed pyjamas on a daily basis instead, or watching Jeremy when I should be dallying with my HTML…
Hey ho. Happy days!
The Summer Sale Is Here! 
The Brocante Round-Up! 
The Brocante Round-Up! 
The Autumn House
…and absence does make the heart grow fonder. Please do post a pic of him in a uniform. He truly is gorgeous. Obviously ALL from his mother's gene pool!
I love my girls dearly but I felt exactly the same way when each of them started school. Don't feel bad – a mother can only take insanity for so many hours a day without a break.
Oh I know exactly where you're coming from, I have three of them! I CAN'T WAIT FOR MONDAY!! I love them to pieces but they are not rational human beings, they are pint-sized cavemen. Everybody concerned will be so much more relaxed after a few hours apart. I'm currently making the absolute most of my precious, about to turn 1, baby boy. He's adorable, sweet, happy, obliging. And I know all too well what is waiting round the corner that will be his 2nd birthday. By which time he'll be enrolled in nursery for a few hours peace too!
I assure you that you are not alone! I'm about to go back to work after 16 months of being a stay at home mom. I have to admit that there are times that I think "Soon, the daycare people will have to take care of all of this!" That said, I love my little munchkin to pieces!
Here in the US, there is a company which runs TV commercials in August, right before the beginning of school, with the song "Its the most wonderful time of the year" in the background. Quite appropriate!
Enjoy! But you'll miss him, just the same… even while you are relaxing or fussing around… you'll think, "where is Finn?" Have you seen this web site for gluten free stuff? http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/ They advertised it on the Food Channel.
Have a fun weekend.
Enjoy the rest, but I agree you will miss him when the time comes. We just aren't robot mommies.
Annabelle ~^..^~ xo
Alison, I can so relate. I had three under five and couldn't wait for Sam, my eldest, to start school. Was totally different though when my youngest, Ainsley, started school last year though, as so less hectic with one at home and she was a very good little companion. We also moved to the country and I did not know a soul. Feel terribly guilty now of course about wishing Sam off to school. Have fun as four hours sure passes quickly and would love to see a photo of Finn in his uniform.
Oh yeh been there 4 times!To be honest I didn't miss them a bit as I was too busy (okay a little bit!) I am finally a lady that lunches now and it feels great!!!
I'm sure you'll miss him but enjoy the 'you' time. Looking forward to seeing how you develop Brocante Home. I think it's gorgeous anyway so am excited to see the ideas you have for it in your daily four hours.
Good for you , Alison! And believe me, you won't know how to spend those few solitary hours first–clean house, run errands, personal grooming, maybe some artwork?? So do what I did–sit on the couch and have more coffee in your pj's while deciding until the school bus rolls up bringing him home to mum!!
I spent my first morning alone wandering aimlessly around the house or sitting purposelessly on the couch. Didn't get a thing done because it felt so strange at first!
Doesn't take long to get used to it and the *Mommy turned grown-up* time flies by. Then when you show up at school and his little face lights up and you get the best hug of the day, it cements the knowledge that this was the *right thing* to do!
Enjoy!
Oh I'm JEALOUS
WARNING: STRONG OPINION Hello, all you "Mommies" – if that what you should be called. Why did you have all these "precious" children? So you could send them to nursery school the moment you felt a little stressed? Do you like the idea of someone else raising your 3 year old? I'm amused how you all justify shipping them off and "out of your hair". What do you think "mother-hood" is all about??? It is about being an adult and accepting the responsibility of taking care of the little being you brought into the world. Of course it's stressful – but most rewarding things are. Most of you consciously made the decision to become pregnant so I suggest you act like grownups and not try to sugar-coat or "cute up" what you are doing. Little ones should be with their mothers, NOT a day care worker. Hope you all have a nice nap. Alyssa
Motherhood is stressful. What would you prefer Alyssa, a stressed out Mother who gets so cross with her child that their relationship suffers, or a happy well rested mother who really loves spending time with her child, and a happy child who gets to play with other children, preparing him for the world, teaching him more about sharing, letting him make friends, or should he only socialise with those that his mother knows….I think there is something much stranger and controlling about not allowing children experience outside the home as small children. I'm not a mother, but I hope that one day I will be, and I most definitely will love my children and most definitely let them go to nursery. I appreciate that you have your opinion, and I have no idea if you have children, however, lots of the women who read this blog are mothers and grandmothers and have happy, well adjusted children who were sent to nursery. I applaud them all for their decision, which was made in the best interests of their child.
You need time to be an adult and, especially if there's no 'Mister' to take some of the stress, you deserve some time alone. We're not sending these kids off to boarding school for ever, just long enough to be able to have a thought that's not covered in paint, glitter, mud or snot. I say go for it, Alison and don't forget Borders is always a good way to banish the blues (it's what I did when my last started school!)
Thank you Sarah! Apparently Alyssa has not had the joy of watching her child learn and grow in leaps and bounds from the amazing experiences a good preschool and related socialization can provide a child. My son has found a much bigger world in a safe environment and is stronger and happier for it. In spite of unpleasant judgemental comments like Alyssa's, I KNOW this is not a reflection on my mothering at home or on my joy at being a mother, but a privilege my husband and I have been able to provide for him. If it was anything other than a positive experience for him, I would have him back home with me for those few morning hours in a heartbeat.
Alison – Watch Finley grow from this experience, enjoy your quiet time without reservation.
{waves to Anne below}
There is a difference between stating your opinion and being judgmental of others who have different situations and different lives than your own. My three-year-old daughter has benefitted *tremendously* from her two-day-a-week preschool. Her social skills have grown leaps and bounds (she used to be inexplicably terrified by other children), she gets exposure to more books, songs, and learning tools, and all of the manners and behavior I have been trying to teach her by myself are reinforced in a positive, loving environment.
And besides, I as her mommy (who became a single mother in an almost *identical* situation as Alison did) am now that much saner in that I get more time to keep up with my housework and the business of life.
Everyone's situation is unique, and we should respect that in addition to respecting others' opinions.
Enjoy your bit of freedom, Alison — from one single mommy to another, you deserve it!
Alison, I relish my time I get to check BrocanteHome. You have a lovely spirit and your love for Finley is so apparent. Loving mothers know their own children best and should not listen to a stranger's opinion about their mothering skills. I hope you and Finley have a wonderful week at school. (Please post a picture of him in his uniform. I love to see him.)
Well, I'm glad I've got your collective attentions. You can use whatever justifications you like but there is one thing that can't be denied: You love your children, day care workers don't!! There is an interesting web site http://www.daycaresdontcare.org that may open some eyes. I just dare you to read only a small portion of it. I'm not questioning anyone's parenting skills, just giving some balance. For the sake of your little ones who can't speak for themselves go to that site and spend as much time on it as an episode of "Desperate Housewives" lasts. That's not asking too much – is it??? Alyssa
My first time being alone was a fall day last year. It was raining and I was thrilled over plans t to cozy up with Edgar Allen Poe- I dropped my youngest off at pre-K and came home, crawled under a blanket on the couch, opened "The Black Cat" and promptly fell asleep. ahh. It was bliss- but as it turned out, my alone time was not meant to be. I had a frantic call from a friend regarding daycare for her grandbaby- I accepted and now it will be next fall before Poe can put me to sleep again. enjoy it!!