I'm taking them to the playground so that they can play with other children.
Inevitably, as soon as we enter the playground Ari asks me the same question each time:
"Can I go on the swing?"
It's like the curse of death.
Look at him! He's so happy on the swing!
But here's the thing, if he goes on the swing, that means that I cannot sit down on the playground bench and space out. I have to do work. I am required to stand there with him and push him.
Not only do I have to stand there and push him, but generally where I am standing is in the sunlight, so I am uncomfortable standing there and pushing him. Meanwhile, he's having the best time ever!
I feel guilty. I know I should entertain his love of the swings. I know I should do that because it'll make him happy, but I am exhausted. What I want to do is take a break! We are at the playground so that my kids can play and I can sit down.
Am I alone in this?
Am I a giant asshole?
Please don't say yes.
I already feel guilty.
Do you push your kids on the swings?
I feel you on this. Nadya loves the swing but I feel I have already completed mommy duty by taking
ReplyDeleteThem to the playground. It's times like these where I am glad they are 7 1/2 years apart. I can shamelessly put Peter to work at pushing Nadya. My problem is when Peter wants to play a game, then all resting is over.
Look at it this way, if you make the effort, you will be rewarded with an awesome smile like the one above. Then in the future you can spend time going over those pictures and thinking about what a great mom you are for bringing out that smile.
Now that is awesome! You have a guaranteed swing pusher. You're right. Maybe play the game or push the swing or whatever and then take a break. And an awesome smile is rewarding!
ReplyDeleteI adore you and this post. Thanks for speaking out on all those things parents, and soon to be parents (My hubby and I are sort of trying) worry about and feel- You give me the courage to be myself, when I finally become a Mommy. XO Sophie Delgoad-Watson AKA Sophiqua Jenkins
ReplyDeleteSophie! I adore YOU! It's comments like this that make me want to keep writing. I hope the fertility goddesses bestow you with a baby soon so we can go to the playground and make our children play on the monkey bars like civilized people. xoxo
ReplyDelete