Jeremiah has been sick since Tuesday and Isaac since Wednesday. Because it looked like niether of them were going to recover before school let out for Christmas, yesterday it hit me that if both Jeremiah and Isaac were going to be home I would never have any time to wrap Christmas gifts (I made only a small dent in the task during my gift-wrapping open house.) I'm not one that can get out of bed before the rest of the family and clean the whole house or stay up late after they've gone to bed and do anything besides veg in front of the TV or computer (curse you Facebook!) so I was doubtful that I would be able to get much wrapping done during those times either.
Anyway, I was venting my concerns to my mom yesterday and she offered to have the kids down to her house so that I could tend to Jeremiah and get some wrapping done. I gratefully took her up on her offer. Jeremiah joined me in the family room to watch "The Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Toomey" (a fantastic movie, BTW) while I wrapped furiously. During this time my MIL dropped by and asked if Kenley would like to stay the night at her house. I then went down to my parents house to retrieve the children. When I got there Isaac was sitting under a blanket, even more pale than usual (which apparently is possible,) snuggled up against Gammie while she bound a quilt. He was obviously not feeling well. Within minutes he was laying on the floor asking, "Can we go home?" Usually, when it's time to leave Gammie's, he's clinging to the computer pleading, "Can we have a sleepover?"
Anyway, sometimes I feel like a bad mom. I feel bad for sending my sick boy to someone else's house and not nurturing him like I should have. (To be honest though, I didn't think he was that sick. I thought he was in the recovery phase.) Although I'm sure he received love and nurturing from my mom, it really should have come from me. And then I feel kind of bad for sending Kenley to Nana's house. I hadn't seen her all day, I saw her for a little bit at my mom's and then sent her off with Uncle Gabriel.
Although I'm wrestling with my guilt, I'm really thankful that my kids have such a good relationships with their grandparents. It's truly been a blessing for our family to live close to both of our parents. My kids know them and love them and get to see them often. That's something I never had... my maternal grandparents passed away before I had a chance to know them and my father's parents lived 2/3 of the way across the country. Anyway, I'm thankful to know that even though I'm not always the best mother, I have my mom and Jeremiah's mom to help fill in the gaps.
Friday, December 19, 2008
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5 comments:
You would have felt guilty for not sending the kids off to spend time with Grandmas who adore them---and stressed about wrapping. You are a great mom, and your whole family is blessed when you get a chance to have a few hours away. I hope everyone feels better soon!
It's so true! I hate that we see Nana and Papa once a month or every couple of months and my parents a few times a year. You are lucky! Well, lucky to have grandparents who are willing to take the kids off your hands. And no, you are not being a bad mother. You need a lift too, otherwise your children would never receive your affection!
I know what you mean. Sometimes I feel bad dropping the boys off with grandmas and grandpas, but they both love is and they have such a great relationship. It great to see them interact and get so excited when you tell them they get to see they grandparents. Plus, sometimes you just need a break to refresh and remember why you stay home with them.
Sick or not, send them over to family if you can. Kids may be the one reason (maybe only reason) I miss living close to family. When I have to go to the dentist or anything else I always have to find someone to watch Genevieve.
You should move here and I'll take your sick kids if you'll take my obnoxious kid. (I've asked you to move out here like twice in the last 24 hours. I'm a little nostalgic around the holidays.)
Hey Gwennie Girl--Save the guilt for something more deserving. If this is the source of all your guilt, you must be living a good clean life. Besides, we love it. We get to play when they're here and I wouldn't offer if I didn't want to. So enjoy!
mOm
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