Tonight as I was attempting to make dinner, I decided this was true. Either that, or I never knew how in the first place. Or no one can ever get anything done with a toddler. Seriously-- how does anyone do anything with a 17 month old for whom you are their only entertainment? Wesley has gotten all too used to mommy-time play-time ALL-the-time that it makes simple tasks like making dinner much more insurmountable.
Tonight I was finishing the dinner that I actually started last night because last night I abandoned it and drove thru Taco Bell. All I was making was this delicious salad but I felt like it took an eternity. Mostly because I was constantly interrupted by my little monkey.
Last night I recorded what Wesley did in the time it took me to wash the mud off of, kill the caterpillars living in, and chop the head of Napa cabbage that recently came to me from a Massachusetts farm.
- Got into a forbidden cupboard and pulled out as many sandwich baggies as he could before I could catch him 4 separate times.
- Sat in time out for this after the 3rd time
- After the 4th time, I knew the message wasn't coming through so I escorted him to the toy chest in his room and closed the door behind me. :) That bought me maybe 3 minutes
- He then tried to use his set of play keys to open the shut door, then just knocked and yelled until I came to the rescue.
- Got into 3 different boxes of cereal and sampled bits of each.
- Helped me push the button on the salad spinner over and over and over
- Dumped half a bag of cereal ALL over the floor. At least he kept eating it once it was spilled...
So as I worked on dinner tonight it was pretty much the same story as last night. This time it was a cup of water he poured on the floor instead of cereal. At one point he was playing in his room when he started making his distressed cry. I rushed in to find that he had managed to climb into the 2nd drawer of his dresser but couldn't figure out how to get out. I'm very very glad that dresser didn't tip or break like it should have... yikes. (I wanted to take a picture, but the mothering instinct kicked in too fast here. It was really quite a feat).
All of this is really just to say, I know there are people who accomplish lots and lots with toddlers... How on earth do they do it?
Take for instance, my awesome sister-in-law who has 2 little boys, currently in law school and completing a demanding internship for a judge. She manages to cook fantastic, organic, gourmet deliciousness for her family on a regular basis using muddy, buggy, fresh produce as well. To me, that is quite a feat in and of itself. On top of that, she teaches Sunday School every week and takes her boys to do awesome fun things and goes on dates with my cute brother (her cute hubby). Sigh. I don't think I'll ever be that cool.
Or look at my friend Stephanie who is soon to have her 4th kiddo and already has 3 busy little boys. She is my idol of domesticity. She runs an awesome, adorable and inspirational blog, knits the sweetest tiny sweaters for all the new babies around her, makes practically everything from scratch including 8 loaves of bread a week, and always posts new and wonderful recipes on her blog so I know she also manages to feed her family every night.
Then there's my sister Lana who I will never be as cool as, no matter how hard I try. That's just what happens to little sisters... She's in the Relief Society presidency, runs carpool no less than 46 times a day or something, cooks AWESOME food including BREAKFAST! (this has always impressed me since I
I could go on and on and on about people I know that are doing amazing things while I struggle to wipe the dirt from a cabbage leaf and turn it into a salad. These 3 women were the first that came to mind tonight as I mused about my non-skillage. So I hope someday to hone my skills and become the Domestic Betty in my mind, with perfectly coifed hair, wearing pearls and a dress I just finished sewing while I pull out my perfectly cooked roast from the oven and have all the side dishes already arranged, all served piping hot and at the same time. Why is it that I struggle with dinners so much, dangit?
Anyway, in the meantime, if the 3 of you toddler mamas read this post, just know that I think you are each wonderful Domestic Betty's and I hope I can be like each of you. Thanks for being role models.
9 comments:
I feel your pain, Staci. Salads always seem like they'll be a quick meal, but I swear they never are because it takes so long to wash and chop all of the vegetables. The only time I really have dinner ready at my ideal time is when I have it in the crockpot or make it during M.'s nap--and let's face it, there are so many other things I'd rather be doing during her nap, so I don't do that very often. Usually I end up doing the final dinner prep (or all the dinner prep) after Dave gets home from work and can either entertain M. or finish her treatment.
But if I AM trying to entertain Madeline while cooking dinner, it usually works best to either give her something new and interesting to do or get her more involved with the cooking. Her usual toys will quickly lose their charm and she'll grab my hand and try to drag me away to do something fun, but if I pull a chair up to the counter and give her something to do, she's usually much more content to let me cook. Sometimes I'll let her play with water and bowls in the sink or let her rummage around in the silverware drawer or do whatever else comes to mind. Even if she dumps all the water on the floor, there is only one mess and it's fairly contained--plus it gives me a good incentive to wipe up the kitchen floor, which I could always stand to do more often.
Anyway . . . that's what comes to mind, but it's certainly not a smooth or quick thing every day. And anyone who seems to be getting everything under the sun done is probably letting something else slide. Everyone has to make choices about what's most important to do. Good luck!
Practice helps. Wesley won't ALWAYS be into everything! And, you will get the hang of it as you settle into the new place. It takes time. Just roll with the punches.
I am writing this comment after waking up at 4 a.m. my time, because my body thinks it is still in eastern time, taking a woman to the airport by 5 a.m. and getting breakfast (oatmeal packets) on the table for the guests to eat before they head to the races today. When will I get used to my own time zone?
I often think back to when I only had one and how I got NOTHING done. I've wondered how I was so pathetic. And then my twins entered preschool . . . Two mornings a week I have only Owen with me. He's just a few months older than Wesley, and I tell you what, they are some of the most frustrating hours of my week. I love him and love having the one-on-one time with him, but without siblings around, he is attached like glue to me. I can't get a thing done, except to love and play with him. So while frustrating, I've gained a new appreciation for moms of one! It is harder in some ways. Hang in there! Someday you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish . . . and with many more running around.
You're an awesome power woman and domestic goddess yourself! I think that the only thing harder than 1 kid is 1.5 kids. Or maybe 1.5 kids + 1/2 caterpillar.
And the only worse than that is 1.5 kids, 1/2 caterpillar, and comparing yourself to anyone else. So just don't go there. :)
Love you lots! Thanks for kind words.
Staci... I can barely run my household, and all I have is a Levi. I look up to you!
Been there, done that... You're not alone. :) The 'pay-off' makes it all worth it! I know you're an awesome Mom! You were taught by the best! :) Big hugs! And your Mom is right, just roll with the punches. The important thing is that you are THERE and smiling for your little ones!
Holy cow. Where are you? Connecticut huh? So baby # dos on the way. How wonderful? how far along are you? And what are you guys doing in Connecticut anyway?
Just wait until Wesley's old enough, or rather not old enough, and is begging you to use the knife to chop the lettuce himself! Every stage seems to have its pluses and minuses, but just remember, no one stage ever lasts forever (even though it may seem like it). I'm with your friend who said siblings make it easier. He will entertain and be entertained by Little Miss Avarell before you know it! Hang in there!
I forgot to tell you about the Magical Bean Box. I've seen kids of all ages spend hours in this thing. Just get a good sized container and fill it with beans and various containers, scoopers, etc. Only get it out when you really need it, like while making dinner. It will take some coaching to help him remember to keep the beans in the box, but, as I said, it's magical.
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