Mommy fatigue- That unaccomplished, unexplained and undeciphered feeling.
So a real long weekend with 4 days of school holiday has punched me in the face with the Mommy fatigue- wherein by the end of Day 2 i'am unexplainably exhausted, worn out and (no surprise) sleep off halfway through bedtime story(to be woken up twice by my ever chipper 4.8 year old). So what exactly did i do to get so tired?Ask me, I dare you! Because honestly i am as confused or astonished(as some of my single friends point out) about what i do on a holiday with my little one?
So my highly spirited child is not into television or any activity that requires the use of the amazing invention that provides comfort to the backside namely sofa/chair/bench/bed/even floor! She is heavily into role playing(with me) and been so for the past 1.6 years(yes i have been counting). After my initial excitement of participating and being involved in her role playing which could extend anywhere from 1 hour to 5 hours at a stretch , i started getting worried and read and researched a lot on the why's and effects of role playing on children. Reassured by the fact that role playing is critical and a sign of children coping with situations and dealing with it better, i grudgingly continued with my part in the role-play. After many days and months of roleplaying which was now taking over my life and ignoring the games/puzzles/toys in the house, i realised my mommy fatigue was getting to me.
I figured that if role playing was a coping mechanism, my LO seem to be coping really well. But was I? So on holidays I made plans to spend more(than usual) time in the playground or have playdates. But no sir, role-play holds on to us even while we are playing ball , sliding down, swinging high up and follows us even in the sand pit. So much so even with a fun day outdoors (devoid of role play) , when we return home with exhaustion tailing behind after 5 hours of fun in the sun, she is still ready for some role play while i make dinner!
This behaviour made me speed dial the brother(a psychiatrist) who instantly dismisses it off as a sign of creativity. Easy for him to say, When i play School-School, Bank-Bank, Doctor-Doctor for hours on end. But reassuring nonetheless and worth grinding teeth , screaming internally and plastering a smile and faking enthusiasm at the active role i'am bestowed with.
So after a day of fun in the sun, football in the playground, role playing , and cleaning up after role playing(oh!did i forget to mention we use props?), hunger tantrums, sleep tantrums, tiredness tantrums and of course other home chores like cooking,laundry, cleaning- which now seem like stress busters!). When the day ends with no tangible results to see, the fatigues becomes questionable.
Now that LO is fast asleep, should i read a book, Skype with family, whatsapp friends, netflix, watch a movie , eat dinner or just hit the bed. The last one wins, hands down! Anyone for role playing sleeping beauty? Dibs on Princess Aurora!! Zzzzz
So a real long weekend with 4 days of school holiday has punched me in the face with the Mommy fatigue- wherein by the end of Day 2 i'am unexplainably exhausted, worn out and (no surprise) sleep off halfway through bedtime story(to be woken up twice by my ever chipper 4.8 year old). So what exactly did i do to get so tired?Ask me, I dare you! Because honestly i am as confused or astonished(as some of my single friends point out) about what i do on a holiday with my little one?
So my highly spirited child is not into television or any activity that requires the use of the amazing invention that provides comfort to the backside namely sofa/chair/bench/bed/even floor! She is heavily into role playing(with me) and been so for the past 1.6 years(yes i have been counting). After my initial excitement of participating and being involved in her role playing which could extend anywhere from 1 hour to 5 hours at a stretch , i started getting worried and read and researched a lot on the why's and effects of role playing on children. Reassured by the fact that role playing is critical and a sign of children coping with situations and dealing with it better, i grudgingly continued with my part in the role-play. After many days and months of roleplaying which was now taking over my life and ignoring the games/puzzles/toys in the house, i realised my mommy fatigue was getting to me.
I figured that if role playing was a coping mechanism, my LO seem to be coping really well. But was I? So on holidays I made plans to spend more(than usual) time in the playground or have playdates. But no sir, role-play holds on to us even while we are playing ball , sliding down, swinging high up and follows us even in the sand pit. So much so even with a fun day outdoors (devoid of role play) , when we return home with exhaustion tailing behind after 5 hours of fun in the sun, she is still ready for some role play while i make dinner!
This behaviour made me speed dial the brother(a psychiatrist) who instantly dismisses it off as a sign of creativity. Easy for him to say, When i play School-School, Bank-Bank, Doctor-Doctor for hours on end. But reassuring nonetheless and worth grinding teeth , screaming internally and plastering a smile and faking enthusiasm at the active role i'am bestowed with.
So after a day of fun in the sun, football in the playground, role playing , and cleaning up after role playing(oh!did i forget to mention we use props?), hunger tantrums, sleep tantrums, tiredness tantrums and of course other home chores like cooking,laundry, cleaning- which now seem like stress busters!). When the day ends with no tangible results to see, the fatigues becomes questionable.
Now that LO is fast asleep, should i read a book, Skype with family, whatsapp friends, netflix, watch a movie , eat dinner or just hit the bed. The last one wins, hands down! Anyone for role playing sleeping beauty? Dibs on Princess Aurora!! Zzzzz
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