Mom’s lunchtime: Right before that blessed period called naptime, in which all moms look forward to a little peace and quiet; occurs a tragedy called lunchtime. This time of day is most taxing, and all moms who make it through, deserve a medal for bravery. However, the only badge most mom’s get for surviving mom’s lunchtime, is in the form of refused and flying food.
Mom’s Lunchtime ~A Tragedy:
Cast: A frazzled mom. A colicky baby. A busy toddler. And an energetic preschooler.
Location: A house that was “just cleaned yesterday” but looks like a tornado went through.
Curtains open on a messy living-room/kitchen area; the baby is crying while the toddler screams. The preschooler is saying she’s hungry. You cannot hear it, but the mom’s stomach has processed past growling and is now snarling because the toddler ate most of her snack.
Mom: Begins nursing baby while reading a book to the toddler to calm him down, the preschooler listens as well.
Baby: Finishes nursing and smiles at mommy.
Mom: Begins burping baby and also picks up toddler to place him in high chair.
Baby: Feels gas pains which causes him to stiffen out like a 2×4 and bonks heads with the toddler.
Mom: Tries to comfort both baby and toddler, and miraculously they both calm down. She puts toddler in the high chair and baby in the rock ‘n’ play.
Preschooler: Opens fridge and wonders what’s for lunch.
Toddler: Bangs hands on high chair while making a “joyful noise”
Mom: Tells preschooler the food options in the fridge, while getting spaghetty-o’s out for the toddler.
Preschooler: I think I want spaghetty-o’s.
Mom: Anxiously peers into the spaghetty-o’s bowl and decides there is enough for both kids. She warms the spaghetty-o’s, puts them out in bowls; then quickly dumps her food onto a plate and tosses it into the microwave.
Toddler: Refuses spaghetty-o’s.
Mom: Warms baby-food.
Toddler: Refuses baby-food.
Mom: Warms lasagna.
Toddler: Refuses lasagna.
Mom: Warms meatloaf.
Toddler: Decides he will eat meatloaf, only if mom puts it on the fork and then puts the fork on the tray.
Mom: Reheats her lunch and sits down. Puts another piece of meatloaf on fork for toddler.
Baby: Waaaaaah!
Mom: Picks up baby and stuffs a bite of food in her mouth. Puts another piece of meatloaf on fork for toddler.
Toddler: Decides he’s full and smears the rest of the food around on his highchair tray and into his hair before throwing it to the dog. Then begins crying to be let down.
Mom: Juggles baby in one arm while hastily wiping the toddler down with a wet wipe, then mom lets toddler down.
Toddler: Goes and plays.
Preschooler: Asks if she can be done now.
Mom: Asks preschooler to take just one more bite.
Preschooler: Pouts, but takes a tiny bite and goes to play.
Mom: Sits down and stuffs a few more bites into her mouth.
Baby: Waaah! Burp. Then spits-up all over himself and mommy.
Mom: Grabs wet-wipe and cleans up baby.
Baby: Fills diaper.
Mom: Changes baby’s diaper and goes back to her lunch. It is cold so she reheats it for the 3rd time. She sits down and takes a bite.
Preschooler: Calls out that the toddler is headed up the stairs.
Mom: Jumps up, chases toddler and rescues him from the stairs.
Toddler: Waaaah!
Mom: Places toddler with his toys and goes back to her food. It is cold AGAIN. She makes a distasteful look, eats a few more bites and tosses the rest.
Curtain closes on the preschooler asking to play a game, the toddler crawling for the stairs, the baby crying, and the mom… Mom? Mom!?!
And, we have a run-away!
Note: The preschooler and toddler are two darling kids that I nanny and love dearly, however I am really only mom to the baby. Just to clear up any confusion. 🙂
just loved this post! I know exactly how you feel. And for some reason am having another to throw in the mix lol. however I am wondering how other mommas have went about their busy days with older kids while breastfeeding the baby. When I had little ones before they were all little and paid no attention to what I was doing with the baby. Now they are older and school age, and boys, I am wondering how to go about this. Because of course I don’t want it all out there for them to see. Maybe you have some awesome method, or just an awesome cover that you use that enables you to move about caring for the other children while feeding all at the same time. thanks!
Well… I have no magic blanket 🙂 To be honest, we’ve had enough issues with nursing that I am unable to move around while he eats. The toddler is pretty good about playing in his toy area while I nurse the baby, and the preschooler will distract him if he starts somewhere he shouldn’t be.
As far as the nursing goes…. I have uhem, rather large bottles and yes, they are out there for all to see when I’m nursing most of the time. It really depends on the ages of yours sons and your comfort level, but here is my oppinion. I would far rather my sons see breasts being use the way God created them for, rather than the sexual way the world portrays them.
thank you very much for your reply, I do appreciate it!
This charming story reminds me of my own childhood, my mother had five children under five years of age and frequently my 3 male cousins, I dont know how she did it…God bless all mommies.
Oh my! 5 under 5 is a bit crazy I’m sure! 🙂