Kids suck time & patience but nothing beats it
Put it on Wish list
ONE minute my girls are swinging on the monkey bars in the playground, the next we’re in the rapid injury clinic.
My five-year-old twisted her ankle badly and we waited five hours at the clinic to be seen. I was working so my partner brought her in.
Facetiming me from the clinic, a thrilled Eila declared: “I’ve had an Xlay mammy, I’m in the crinic, I’m getting a lolly.”
She arrived home with her leg in a walking boot, an alternative to a cast.
Cue my seven-yearold daughter stropping around the house feeling left out saying: “Nobody gives me as much attention when I hurt myself.”
The jealous mood lasts a whole day. Nobody tells you that you’ve to be a child psychologist when you become a parent.
I brought out the old nugget of Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird whose famous phrase stayed with me as a kid.
It goes: “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...” “Sir?” “...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”
We had a family meeting about empathy and walking around in other people’s shoes. Erin now
Playing with children appears to show more compassion for her sister.
I could relate to a survey this week which found 82% of parents are spending less than 10% of their time on themselves as hobbies and pastimes are sidelined.
More than 55% of parents surveyed said their physical health has gotten worse since becoming a parent. Time is our greatest enemy while kids suck hours and patience out of you.
But the rewarding bits outweigh the tantrums and the drudge because nothing beats hugs and kisses and when they tell you they love you.
Nonetheless, a lot of parenting is putting out fires and trying to get work done in the midst of daily domestic stressors.
IF you want a bit of a laugh I’d recommend watching Irish Wish with Lindsay Lohan.
The Irishisms in it are so bad they are brilliant.
It’s silly and a bit of a cringe fest, but if you’re scrolling on Netflix in search of chewing gum escapism it’s worth a watch.
Linday Lohan stars in Irish rom-com