Ever since the last remaining nanny was fetched by her insecure husband, Lloyed and I decided to go with the flow and accept our fate. That meant taking turns in all our responsibilities as a couple, parents and business people. It has been a miracle how we have been doing so far especially with the demands of each of our professions. But of course with God's help, everything has been manageable.
We are still on the lookout for staff who could help us out but like most of us parents, finding good help or even just help is but a challenging feat. But let me share with you the lessons I learned after living the "American Life" in Cebuano soil.
1. Your child's cry is music to your ears. Whether it's a legit cry coming from a toddler or a made up dramatic scene from a boy of 4 or 9 years, they all carry a symphony of emotions that can shake up your senses. So if you don't have a nanny and househelp and the crying won't stop even if the list of chores seem to grow, make sure you master these three things: a.) look your child seriously in the eye and reassure him/her that things are going to be fine b.) distract him/her with your humor and if all else fails c.) take a deep breath and transcend to a higher place until you reach a state of silence. Pure, calm, roaring silence. You'll master this after three tries.
2.) Art is fun. Colors make the world vibrant. So if you see your white wall with scribbles or your bed/floor with piles and piles of colorful toys, APPRECIATE. Because that's what they call Abstract. Just make sure to put on your super steel soles or else be prepared to scream because these tiny lego pieces come in the middle of the night, they're scary. You never see 'em coming because they're so little! But the pain they strike reverberates from your sole throughout your whole body! If you had a choice, you wouldn't want them to see the light of day.
3.) Know that nothing ever gets lost when there's three kids in your house. They just get misplaced. Oftentimes you find them when you don't need them anymore. You realize you try your best to organize everything but you're too tired from all the cooking, scrubbing, washing the dishes, doing the laundry on top of your responsibilities at work. The chaos seems to have developed its own system that everything somehow falls into place ALL the TIME. And even when you can't find your coin purse at that moment you needed it, you rely on the belief that one day when the time is right you will. Yes girl, you will.
4.) "Me" time or "Hubby and Me" time is reduced to a total of more or less one hour. Two would be a gift! In between the chores you divide yourselves with and the work you have to do in between. The conversations about regular things not related to children, work or expenses can be compressed in less than 60 minutes. Most times even less. Yet even so you are fulfilled knowing that you are sharing your life with the most supportive partner who shows so much love and care for you especially in the most challenging times.
5.) You become more stretchable than rubber. Who would've thought you'd be able to cook 5 meals in one and a half hour? Or bathe three children all at once in a span of 15 minutes tops. Or think of your PowerPoint presentation for your management meeting while doing the laundry? Who could've imagined that you could devise a system of clearing a pile of dishes and pots in the shortest possible time? Yet through this all, you manage to keep a smile on your face and a heart that is full. Because at the end of the day, you see your beautiful children and your wonderful spouse all wanting to make every moment with you count.
2.) Art is fun. Colors make the world vibrant. So if you see your white wall with scribbles or your bed/floor with piles and piles of colorful toys, APPRECIATE. Because that's what they call Abstract. Just make sure to put on your super steel soles or else be prepared to scream because these tiny lego pieces come in the middle of the night, they're scary. You never see 'em coming because they're so little! But the pain they strike reverberates from your sole throughout your whole body! If you had a choice, you wouldn't want them to see the light of day.
3.) Know that nothing ever gets lost when there's three kids in your house. They just get misplaced. Oftentimes you find them when you don't need them anymore. You realize you try your best to organize everything but you're too tired from all the cooking, scrubbing, washing the dishes, doing the laundry on top of your responsibilities at work. The chaos seems to have developed its own system that everything somehow falls into place ALL the TIME. And even when you can't find your coin purse at that moment you needed it, you rely on the belief that one day when the time is right you will. Yes girl, you will.
4.) "Me" time or "Hubby and Me" time is reduced to a total of more or less one hour. Two would be a gift! In between the chores you divide yourselves with and the work you have to do in between. The conversations about regular things not related to children, work or expenses can be compressed in less than 60 minutes. Most times even less. Yet even so you are fulfilled knowing that you are sharing your life with the most supportive partner who shows so much love and care for you especially in the most challenging times.
5.) You become more stretchable than rubber. Who would've thought you'd be able to cook 5 meals in one and a half hour? Or bathe three children all at once in a span of 15 minutes tops. Or think of your PowerPoint presentation for your management meeting while doing the laundry? Who could've imagined that you could devise a system of clearing a pile of dishes and pots in the shortest possible time? Yet through this all, you manage to keep a smile on your face and a heart that is full. Because at the end of the day, you see your beautiful children and your wonderful spouse all wanting to make every moment with you count.
And every alarm you've struggled to wake up to just to prepare breakfast, every little thing you had to put off for yourself and every ache in your body after a long day's work in and out of the house is simply worth it. <3
Tandaan mo: Stretching improves your strength. Makes you stronger. But also remember that drinking milk gives you stronger bones. Ngye!
ReplyDeleteNow you know how my life was when you were growing up. The difference is that you and your siblings were not a whining bunch so I never had to deal with the whining. I salute you for handling it well. I believe Love is the motivating factor that enables parents to do the seemingly impossible tasks become accomplishments. Kudos. Remember though that when you get the hang of doing things by yourselF, a new aide comes and you will have to contend with the adjustment of having your routine changed, sometimes with dissatisfaction of how and why this or that things is done. Anyway, life's always like that. It gives us bouquets of surprises all the time, from big to small stuff. All you need to do is savour every moment. May you will always be blessed. May God open the floodgates of Heaven to pour on you blessings that you have never hoped for or imagined. All the best everyday and especially today - HAPPY BIRTHDAY! From your anonymous Mom.
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