;)
When the kids go to school, a fantasy.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 2:13PM Next week, all of my kids will be in school for the first time. Some parents might feel a bittersweet sense of melancholy and excitement over this milestone. I’ll save you that cliche. I’m excited for them, but mostly I’m totally thrilled to recapture some independence from my kids. To reclaim an identity independent of being a mother. People keep asking me what I’m going to do with my time when the kids are at school. Generally I glare at them and say that I will do all the stuff I do now, just alone. You know, the laundry and bread and groceries don’t leave when the kids do. When I’m feeling friendly, I tell people that I’m going to write. But there will be so much more than that.
Here’s what I’m going to do.
I will eat whenever I want, or not at all. I might drink beer with lunch. I will write all day long. I will listen to NPR and hear every story from beginning to end. I will listen to loud music or no music at all. I will spend all morning in the art museum in front of one painting, then write about it all afternoon. I will sit on the beach in a sweater when it’s cold, writing and eating an apple. I will run if I feel like it. I will buy groceries at the speed I choose, with no arguments about cereal. I will write about the produce manager singing in the deli. I will read whole chapters and articles without interruption. I will have tea with friends, uncensored. Occasionally I will nap. I will kidnap my spouse for lunch sometimes and make people gossip. I will hang out at the library for hours, reading and writing. I will plan and build and write and make. I will figure out what I’m going to do when I grow up.
Then I’ll be waiting with snacks when the kids rush through the door.
It Looks Like I'm Doing Nothing..., Sonars, Writing in Words 
Reader Comments (3)
That sounds like a lovely existence. Sort of like what I will do when I strike it rich!
*SIGH*
Ok, so most days probably won't be like that. But people have to dream!
I'm excited for your new-found *you*-time. Enjoy! And yes, let's catch up soon. Miss you too. Please give the Sonars and Partner my best first week of school ra-ra cheer!