I resign

[Yuzu]

As of today, I'm putting in my resignation as wife and mother. Where do I pick up my final paycheck.

Seriously though, for the past few days I've been wondering why I signed up for this whole thing. Picking up toys, washing clothes, washing dishes, dusting, caring for the pets, cooking--it seems like a never ending, very boring cycle. And I don't even have my 'dream' family.

Please don't get me wrong--I dearly love my family. But with the drama of the past few days, the constant drudgery and the boredom, sometimes I wonder at my choices. One of my closest friends posted a picture of herself (on Facebook) going to an event. She was wearing a sparkly, backless dress, and looked like she was having the time of her life. Of course, she doesn't have kids. I felt a little jealous. I'm sure she feels a little jealous of me sometimes, too, because my life is so secure. But sometimes I'm bored with the security. Is that stupid?

Do any of you ever feel that way? Like you'd love to have a wild and crazy life that didn't include poopy diapers?

[atomic sagebrush]

I totally understand where you're coming from on that!!! I love having kids but OMG everything has to be SUCH a battle - eat your carrots already! I'm not trying to poison you LOL.

[RedCanoe]

Yes, I've had moments when I wonder wth I'm doing, lol! Like when I'm looking at pictures of my sister and her bf (no kids) flying first class to Thailand and staying at this amazing looking spa resort (just google 'Thailand spa resorts' in images and you'll get the idea) while I'm at home with three snotty kids and also babysitting her senior dog who has a bout of violent diarrhea (lovely visual, I know). Hmm, where did I go wrong?

[The Anchor]

O M G. I just fought this very battle last night. Why am I the only one that jumps when grape juice is spilled? Why is DH conveniently absent when there's a poopy diaper? Why don't I ever get to sleep in on the weekend? DH just ASSUMES that I'll get up, but I have to book an extra hour of sleep a month in advance with him. And DD is turning 4 in September and all of a sudden she's little Miss Attitude. And to top it all off, I work full time too! WTF????? I am so WITH you YUZU.

[ThreeMenAndALAdy]

I do the same thing sometimes. I have 4 kids and 2 dogs. My dh can act like one of the kids or dogs depending on the day. And I want another one!!! I have to love it or the thought would never cross my mind. But I do see people out and about and wonder what it would be like. I did have my "fun" but it's hard to see past the dirty diapers and pooper scooper sometimes.

[BeadinMom]

I can COMPLETELY relate, Yuzu...
I'm 40 and my youngest is going to be 7 in 4 days. I wonder to myself if I really want to do it all again. And it doesn't help that a friend I shared my interest in trying to conceive again is making me feel completely stupid for wanting a baby again. She flat out told me I was crazy.
And it REALLY doesn't help that we both live in a party town. It's what people do here.
But you know, girl...at the end of the day, I don't think I'll ever be sorry that I had to skip a couple of nola bull runs or mardi gras balls because I had an achy feeling that my family wasn't complete, but I might regret that baby I was supposed to have and didn't.
Somehow though, we need to brainstorm together and figure out a way to make those irresponsible people we live with APPRECIATE what we do.
Anybody remember that tv movie when we were kids (okay, this is for the late 30/40 something crowd) where the moms went on strike? It was kind of a comedy, but it freaked me out, like what if my mom actually did that?!
Maybe drastic times call for drastic measures? hehe..

[ThreeMenAndALAdy]

I'm not sure what the name of that movie was, but they remake EVERY movie now so I think it would be a great idea!!!

[Hobbermittens]

I totally know how you feel. I always envisioned my life as a mom as so much "more": doing crafts, baking cookies, building forts in the living room, camping out in the yard, playing flashlight tag, having water balloon fights with the kids..... in other words, I always thought being a mom would be FUN. But it isn't. There are great moments, but honestly, they are overshadowed a lot of the time by the kids being naughty, the struggles at bedtime, sibling bickering, me being exhausted, and hardly getting to spend a moment alone with my husband. I hate all the household stuff too, and I really don't know how I am supposed to be able to get all the laundry, cleaning and cooking done while also having fun with the kids. There simply isn't time!

I am thankful for my family, and I am glad I have children. I wouldn't trade them for anything. Even though my life didn't turn out fairytale perfect, I am happy I got the opportunity to be a mom. I know I would really feel that something was missing if I hadn't.

[skrimpy]

There is a lot of being tired, frustrated, annoyed, etc. etc. I think that's pretty normal. You're raising opinionated little human beings who tend to be, well, lazy, self-centered, and opinionated... just like everyone else, lol.

I know that there are days that are a lot harder than others. A couple of weeks ago I felt like I was banging my head against a brick wall every. single. day. with kid issues. But that waxes and wanes. Childless people have crappy weeks, too.

I have older kids now, too, and that really helps a lot. They help with cleaning (I have to follow up on their chores but they do the work). My DD1 loves cooking and she is doing great with making our lunch every day <3 To her, exciting lol! My DH helps by doing laundry with the kids so I am lucky in that - but I can honestly say that life is easier now than it was when I had only little ones. It was my two biggest that were making life tough a couple of weeks ago, but it was because of emotional/attitude stuff. They still had to do chores, lmao.

I think everything ebbs and flows and there are times when it's easier and times when it's harder ((hugs))

One of my best friends from childhood is childless (by choice!!) - she sent me a message on Facebook asking if I'd like some of the toys she has stored at her parents house for my kids, since we'd enjoyed playing with them as children and she didn't want to just give them away to somebody she didn't know. I told her I thought that they'd love that. She sent me a message back that she'll pack them up and get them to us, and that she loves seeing my posts/pictures on Facebook... that she really enjoys seeing my life and family. That surprised me so much since she's chosen not to have children herself. But it helps you remember to have perspective... there are good things about every lifestyle

[zanacal]

I can so relate to this post Yuzu. Yesterday was the most stressful day and I promised myself a beer once she kids were in bed. DH came home and drank the last 2 without asking if I wanted one while I was feeding the baby and I was SO angry at him - it was ridiculous, such an out of proportion little tantrum but I'm always at the end of my tether by the time he gets home! If I had a housekeeper I think I'd be ok