Down with chores!

There is a poem called Slow down mummy, that I was reminded of this evening. I'll include it at the bottom of my post, but you can also find it here.

In this crazy world, where the days, weeks and months fly by, we get so caught up in the pace and the routine of life that we constantly have to remind ourselves to just...chill.

The week has been pretty hectic, and this morning on my way to work, I had a plan (yes, I'm always planning) rolling around in my head that would culminate in me and the girls spending some quality time together tonight. However, it was just a plan and I had loads to get through during the day before I could even think about the things I would need to do to make that plan a reality. Then two things happened...J's teacher called me to discuss the separation anxiety she seems to be experiencing at the moment, and a special young man I know, wrote a prayer that cut to the core.

My plan was put into action! I called my little girls and asked them to bath and be in their pjs by the time I got home. This being completely abnormal, I was met with some resistance (children also like their routine) but once I had explained the plan, they were keen.

Down with routine! Down with chores! Tonight was going to be ours!

I popped into good old Woolies, and then arrived home to find two sparkly clean little girls waiting for me at the door. We drank strawberry milk and ate chocolate chip cookies on my bed. We turned up the music and sang out loud. We chatted and danced and bounced and giggled. An hour and a half later I dragged myself away from the fun, remembering that we had to get back to some kind of normalcy to at least eat dinner, and that El's homework still had to be done. By then the munchkins were starving. They were both eager to eat and then to jump into bed so that J could listen to her Big Sister reading the bedtime story...a great way to incorporate reading homework into the evening routine (one just can't avoid that word!).

In just 90 minutes of quality time with my children, when I didn't have to cook or search for pyjamas, pack lunch boxes or look at my phone, I was able to completely connect with them, on their level, and remind them, with my actions more than my words, of how much I love them.

So, they went to bed a little late. So, I spent the time once they were in bed catching up with some of the stuff I would have done while they were in the bath. So what! It can't happen every night, and that alone makes it a treat worthwhile indulging in!

Slow down mummy, there is no need to rush,
slow down mummy, what is all the fuss?
Slow down mummy, make yourself a cup tea.
Slow down mummy, come and spend some time with me.

Slow down mummy, let's put our boots on and go out for a walk,
let's kick at piles of leaves, and smile and laugh and talk.
Slow down mummy, you look ever so tired,
come sit and snuggle under the duvet and rest with me a while.

Slow down mummy, those dirty dishes can wait,
slow down mummy, let's have some fun, let's bake a cake!
Slow down mummy I know you work a lot,
but sometimes mummy, its nice when you just stop.

Sit with us a minute,
& listen to our day,
spend a cherished moment,
because our childhood is not here to stay! x

~ R Knight