The Mental Load…
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It’s the mental load. The constant buzzing, and running through of all the things in your head. The never-ending list - and that’s just the necessary stuff.
It’s getting all the kids out the door to go to school. Bags packed. Wondering if there’s anything you’ve forgotten to sign. Whether it’s library day, or the day they get tested for something.
Making sure they’re all dressed and fed, before you even get a look in. Or a chance to shove some cold, leftover Vegemite toast in your mouth. Or not at all, because it’s better them fed than you. You can deal with the hunger pains, or just band aid it with another coffee.
It’s the constant loading and unloading of children into cars. The crying child. The one that never wants to get strapped in. The runner, who thinks it’s hilarious to play chicken amongst angry school drop-off parents. It’s the child that doesn’t listen. The one standing idly by, while you’ve called their name 16 times because it’s their turn.
It’s the making sure that everyone in the house is taken care of before you. The juggling of your day. It’s making sure everyone has had enough food, enough water, or enough love and attention. While still remembering to eat.
It’s sitting down to breastfeed the baby, and listing off the never-ending cycle of jobs, and thinking about how much time you’re wasting by sitting down. Then feeling guilty for wishing away such precious time with a tiny person who’s already growing way too fast.
It’s getting to the end of the day, and finally sitting down, only to remember the load of washing you left in the machine, or the lunchbox that’s still left to be made for tomorrow. Your desire to be still, for just a minute, or to read that book that’s been on your bedside for the last six months - will have to wait a little while longer.
A new perspective
It’s never ending. It’s complicated. And it’s often hidden by a smile, and the endless love you have for them.
So instead of focusing on the ONE thing I forgot to do for you today, how about opening your eyes to the MILLIONS of things that I DID do. Because for every ONE thing that I did forget for YOU, there were a MILLION things that I forgot to do for MYSELF.
