As I walked toward my desk, I instinctively shouted, “Boys! Where did my chair go?”
My younger son, who is 10, yelled back, “It’s in my blanket fort! I need it for my blanket fort!”
Let’s unpack this. When I approach my desk, I’m fully focused. I’m prepared to handle bills, complete work tasks, or write something meaningful. I’ve pulled myself away from whatever distraction was tempting me (seriously, have you heard of thredUP?), and I mean business as I make my way to that desk.
Now, even though I’m a 43-year-old mother of two energetic boys, a part of me seems stuck in the past—specifically, my older sister days when all I wanted was to be left alone with my books and have my belongings untouched. Why are you even in my space?!
When my children were younger, my older sister tendencies didn’t surface much. They were small and mostly reliant on me, always nearby or in my lap. Sure, they had their moments of annoyance, but they weren’t moving furniture or stashing my belongings in hidden places, so I didn’t often think about those earlier years. But now, as my boys have grown stronger and more mischievous, that 14-year-old version of myself has resurfaced, and she is undeniably irritable.
“Listen, son,” I said firmly, “I understand you think you need that chair for your fort, but I need it so I can sit and handle our bills and finish my work. Please return it to me, and remember, taking furniture from my room is not acceptable.”
Funny enough, all the other chairs in the house had also made their way into this fort, but apparently, my little office chair was crucial to its design. By making him return that chair, I felt like I had just ruined his entire world and earned the title of the worst mother ever.
Honestly, I’m fine with that title. Someone has to take on that role, and I’m happy to do it. That way, it doesn’t have to be you! You’re welcome.
I also discovered that my free weights had become integral to the structure of this elaborate fort when I attempted to lift them. (They may seem impressive, but they only weigh 8 pounds and are wrapped in colorful plastic. Perfect for fort construction.)
And don’t even get me started on my pool towel! It has been claimed by one of my children, constantly wrapped around them, leaving me with my newly purchased version adorned with bright pink flowers. I thought it would be unappealing to the boys, but they clearly have no qualms about it.
Recently, while I was away on a business trip, my husband took our older son to obtain his learner’s permit and shared a picture on social media of our child behind the wheel of my car.
My car. Being driven by my child.
“Great job, buddy! I’m so proud of you!” I texted my son that evening.
“Thanks for taking him! But why is he driving my car?” I messaged my husband.
They didn’t reply. I suspect they were either in the blanket fort or out driving around in my vehicle.
Conclusion
In conclusion, navigating the chaos of parenting while dealing with the echoes of my past self can be challenging. If you’re interested in exploring options for family planning and home insemination, various resources are available. For instance, check out this informative post on terms and conditions here. Additionally, you might want to consider the expertise offered by Make a Mom, a reliable source on this topic. For further reading, Kindbody is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
This article humorously reflects on the challenges of parenting and the unexpected return of the “older sister” persona, revealing the struggles of managing a household while maintaining personal space.