With five kids and six grandkids between us, quite often travel destinations for Jim and I are tied to family. Occasionally we’ve even been called upon to take the helm of said families.
One recent foray into the high seas of life with kids and the swells of chaos that come with the territory left Jim and I feeling like we were steering the Titanic or the modern day equivalent, the Costa Concordia. I certainly couldn’t have navigated this beast of a ship on my own.
One recent foray into the high seas of life with kids and the swells of chaos that come with the territory left Jim and I feeling like we were steering the Titanic or the modern day equivalent, the Costa Concordia. I certainly couldn’t have navigated this beast of a ship on my own.
Jim and I managed to steer clear of the coastline and disaster during our ten-day voyage.
Before I launch into our saga with all the trials and tribulations that word suggests, let me say to all the moms out there, especially those raising two or more kids (given the exponential nature of multiple children, one child seldom generates enough chaos to cause insanity),
“Moms, you are the backbone of society; you are still very much overworked and underpaid!” I hope you feel appreciated, although having been there I know the kudos often takes more time than we expect.
How soon we forget what it takes to raise a family. From my lofty vantage point as a grandparent, one I relish despite what the younger generation may believe about life after sixty, the passage of time has added a soft patina to the harsh realities of a once relentless, demanding calendar of responsibilities and pressures that came with raising a family.
“Moms, you are the backbone of society; you are still very much overworked and underpaid!” I hope you feel appreciated, although having been there I know the kudos often takes more time than we expect.
How soon we forget what it takes to raise a family. From my lofty vantage point as a grandparent, one I relish despite what the younger generation may believe about life after sixty, the passage of time has added a soft patina to the harsh realities of a once relentless, demanding calendar of responsibilities and pressures that came with raising a family.
Dogs simply up the ante when it comes to fun and families.
There’s a very good reason only the young can bear children. It’s takes more stamina and drive than most Olympic athletes bring to the sport and just enough inexperience to believe we can pull it off.
Jim and I were back in Denver again, only this time the mountains were a distant memory when we waded into the waters of mommydom (well, I was back on familiar ground; Jimmy was fortunately there to man the life boat).
Jim and I were back in Denver again, only this time the mountains were a distant memory when we waded into the waters of mommydom (well, I was back on familiar ground; Jimmy was fortunately there to man the life boat).
So close yet so far away.
It took two of us at the stern to handle the job that one one-hundred-twenty-five-pound super woman does day in and day out, week after week on her own; at least until that woman, my daughter Laura, came down with shingles. For ten days, Jim and I saw ports of call we hadn’t seen in years navigating those rough waters.
Like most moms, Laura is a force to be reckoned with.
I haven’t voluntarily seen six am since retiring a little over a year ago. A boat load of caffeine did little to prepare me for the mix of chaos and split second timing required to launch four kids between the ages of 7 and 16 into their respective school days.
I’ve seen all the laundry, all the dirty dishes, bathrooms, bedrooms and floors that come with running a household. Those destinations didn’t offer anything terribly new or challenging.
I’ve seen all the laundry, all the dirty dishes, bathrooms, bedrooms and floors that come with running a household. Those destinations didn’t offer anything terribly new or challenging.
This is nothing compared to my son's dorm room years ago.
Walking the dogs did provide new vistas into the world at large and a good dose of much needed exercise; the poop patrol portion of the trip did leave something to be desired
Dog gone it, I'm always falling behind, even when walking the dogs.
although it was offset by the occasional deer sighting.
This guy obviously missed the 'no soliciting' sign out front.
I’d forgotten though the road rally feeling that comes with transporting kids to destinations invariably on the other side of the moon or the juggling act required to get two kids to separate soccer fields the same afternoon. Without the network of moms out there in the same boat, the boat certainly would have capsized.
The two step sans soccer ball.
Ask any mom and the consensus would be the same; the hours between 4 pm and bedtime are by far the most challenging. We made it through with Jim handling the evening meal and
BAM! It's Jimmy cooking up some yummy chicken tortilla soup.
me supervising homework, bath times and bedtimes while refereeing the inevitable squabbles. I'm still not sure who got the better deal with that arrangement.
Just a young man and his computer.
At the end of the day kids will always be the best part of this trip called life. Not the easiest, not the most glamorous, certainly a costly trip; but magical beyond words. Love always is.
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