It's certainly something we take for granted- quiet time- and in this age of constantly being plugged in, it's something we rarely get anymore. I actually had more quiet time when I was working than I do being a stay-at-home-mom. Yesterday, however, I got a much-needed respite. In my hectic day, I had misplaced my keys and needed to get to the school on time to get the kids their lunches. Stuart picked me up and I eventually found my keys (underneath the kitchen table). Steve and Mom took Robert, Abby, and Alex for me and I finally got the chance to spend some one-on-one time with Mazzy. We read the latest book they're reading in class,
Where the Red Fern Grows. It's one that I loved both as a student and as a teacher when I taught fifth grade. It was nice- reading together. It's something I took for granted. I've read to Mazzy every day of her life since birth but after gaining three more kids, it's been a luxury I sadly haven't had time for in the race to get four kids to bed. I miss that time together with her. I wish I had the chance to have that one-on-one quiet time to read with all of the kids each day, every day. Maybe one day I'll figure out how to make that happen.
Right now I'm at the library with Abby. I remember coming here with Mazzy at this age. There are some new things- computers with headphones that have audio/visual books for kids loaded on them. You can virtually rent books now for your Nook or Kindle, but there's still the smell of crayons in the kids' section, the hush and quiet always associated with libraries. I'll pick up some brochures on Story Times to take Abby to (which I have yet to make happen).
There's always a sense that I'm short-changing someone. Going from one to four- I was able to invest so much more time and energy into Mazzy. I had so much more QUIET time. But after reading with Mazzy, having her beat me YET AGAIN in Carcassonne, and a snack, she was ready to have the kids come back over to play. Quiet time was then definitely over. There was the volume of talking that rivals that of a stadium even though they're right next to each other. There was the alternating of getting along, as well as meltdowns and fighting. And there was lots of laughter. So there's a lot to be said for LOUD time too.
