When I regress into "adult childhood"
9 February 2015
What a different weekend from my usual fare…
Friday I whisked my two older lads down the M1 to Winchester, where my parents live.
I don’t know about you but I most definitely associate staying at my parents’ with holiday time.
Why?
Quite simply because I regress to a form of adult childhood when I am with my parents.
As mothers we spend our time looking after others: the children and probably the husband/partner/cat/dog/hamster.
Not much would get done if I didn’t have my huge “Family Planner” diary with everyone else’s dates and commitments in it, as well as my own.
Yep, I’m the one who…
… organises doctors’ appointments
… the orthodontist
… the dentist
… hospital visits
… checks homework
… goes on complex quests to find a costume because school is having a Super Hero day TOMORROW!
… meals
… food shopping
… childcare
… music practise
… ferrying to concerts, rehearsals, trips, early pick-ups, late drops-offs, friends’ houses, parties.
Everything really.
And sometimes I just feel like taking a deep breath, sinking into a squashy sofa and letting someone else take the reins and do the organising.
So anyway, I decamped on Friday taking along the two older lads with me (Mr Small had too many matches and tournaments to take part in so Daddy stayed at home and had that job!).
I got there Friday evening and – oh bliss – a meal was ready for us.
Hurrah! I get to eat food that isn’t cooked by me!
I get so BORED of my own food sometimes!
Saturday I had a big article to write (deadline tomorrow so kinda urgent) and it’s quite a serious one – not like when I chat to you here! – so I sat and worked all day.
Yet it didn’t feel like work as the sunshine streamed into the room.
Mid-morning I was called down for coffee.
How civilised.
Later on I was presented with lunch.
Wonderful: no cooking, no washing up!
By 4pm I had just about finished the article.
Woo hoo! I grabbed my coat and wandered into town past beautifully appointed Victorian villas and medieval houses, quirky pubs, the famous Winchester College – Britain’s most expensive public school – the cathedral, a sea of enticing restaurants…
… and entered my favourite café: Chococo.
Oh the luxury of a beautifully crafted, skinny, dry cappuccino accompanied by a handmade chocolate!
I wiled away the time with my parents, Mr Big and Mr Middle – the latter can be quite well mannered when required!
And then we headed off to my favourite fish restaurant for a relaxing meal out.
Relaxing with two kids in tow?
Well yes - there’s a sort of dynamic in my family that goes like this: 2 kids = manageable 3 = mayhem!
But the best bit of the weekend has to be this…
… wait for it…
… my beautiful, kind, generous, loving mama had prepared an entire Big Batch Cook for me to bring home.
No cooking for me!
So my Sunday was, indeed, a holiday.
Thank you Mama. I’m so very lucky to have you.