How Holiday Break Changed Me: The Before & After

Yesterday marked our official first day back in school (thanks to that ridiculous excuse for a “Snow Day”).

Looking back I realize that each day of our Holiday Break, there were profound changes in our family; my parenting changed, my kids’ behaviors changed. I also made soulful changes within myself in order to embrace the uninterrupted time with my children.

As I reflected on our new state, I made a list of befores and afters to try to help my children understand what was happening to them and to their parents.

Readers: feel free to add to my list or just add your own version to my rendition of the Befores and Afters of Holiday Break.

Before Break:
I thought arts and crafts were an awesome way to pass the dead time inside the apartment.

After Break:
If I find one more puffy sticker on the bottom of my sock or glitter in my bra, I am going to sue Elmer’s, Melissa and Doug and Oriental Trading Express.

Before Break:
I tried to spend quality time alone with each of you whenever I could.

After Break:
Mommy is the only one who needs quality time with Mommy any more. Alone. With my own air to breath. With food that is not chewed up and mushed, and no sound whatsoever. Just deep, dark, unmistakably-silent, aloneness.

Before Break:
I was planning on registering you at the best school in our neighborhood for preschool next year.

After Break:
I will be registering you at a school that other parents may not have loved, but they offer early drop off, extended day AND A HOLIDAY CAMP. You’re going to love it!

Before Break:
I fed you oatmeal or yogurt for breakfast because they are so nutritious.

After Break:
I will never again fill your plate with anything that splatters, separates into tiny, wet, small pieces or sticks in cracks and therefore cannot be cleaned with a dust-buster. Yogurt and oatmeal are now the bane of my existence. Cheerios will be your new best friend. And the dust-buster will be mine.

Before Break:
I loved that you all had a toy for every mood and season. That way you would never feel bored.

After Break:
The act of “dumping” toys has changed my whole attitude toward your play things. “Dumping” has been declared illegal in this home. Any toy that was “dumped” between Dec. 26 and Jan. 6 was promptly repackaged and donated to our neighbors. (Sorry neighbors.)

Before Break:
I believed it was developmentally appropriate for you to throw tantrums.

After Break:
I realized that parents are also in the developmentally appropriately range when they throw tantrums.

Before Break:
I went crazy finding toys I really thought you would enjoy, and so that you’d feel joy of opening perfect gift after perfect gift on Christmas morning.

After Break:
Those gifts have not provided me with any added down time. The neighbors now own most of your presents anyway. When asked what you got for Christmas, you only remembered one gift… and it wasn’t even from us. Next year, we will ask the Joneses to give us back your toys. We will rewrap them and then buy one new one…hopefully the one you will remember.

Before Break:
I thought kids were much better off playing creative games rather than watching TV.

After Break:
I will pay you to watch more TV. Please watch Mickey Mouse’s Christmas one more time. PLEASE?!?

Before Break:
I felt like Daddy had no perspective on what it is like to serve the needs of a preschooler and two toddlers from sunrise to sunset.

After Break:
There were a couple of moments where I saw him “get” it. Thank you my love for those belly laughs. I love you more now than ever.

Lisa is a stay-at-home, blogging mom of 3 girls ages 4, 2 and 2. She lives in an apartment in Brooklyn, New York where if she can also squeeze in some fun, a sense of humor and a glass of wine, then it all seems manageable….some days. Before she was a mom, she taught elementary school and loved it. She blogs at Forever Five Blog and you can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.