“Mom, I am going to the bathroom!” yells my son from his upstairs bedroom. My husband looks at me with a puzzled look on his face while I bounce our now 20 week old daughter on my lap. Now, this declaration from our son might seem quite ordinary to my fellow parents out there. But, he is 12. Yes, ladies and gents – I am a wife and mother of 2, who also happens to be the keeper of all things. This includes the poop schedule of everyone in our home (Yes, this includes my husband).
My husband and I both work outside of the home. Currently, I am on an extended maternity leave. My 12 year old is for the most part quite independent – of course that is when he is in the mood. His alarm goes off every morning for school and while he usually hits the snooze button 3-4 times, he eventually wakes with enough time to brush his teeth, put on a decent outfit, and grab a semi healthy breakfast item from the pantry before he rushes outside to catch the bus. Of course in the midst of him getting ready I am half asleep running around screaming while looking for his gym uniform, his lunchbox, or his chromebook to throw in his book bag. My mornings are rarely smooth and most naturally I catch myself getting frazzled and have to scale it back a bit. Did I mention through all of this 99% of the time I am chugging a coffee or a chai? Ok ya’ll, I admit, our morning routine is basically a glorified mess.
Now one might ask: what exactly does a keeper of all things do? Well let me break it down for you. I am the one who remembers when he needs lunch money added to his account, or to pack his lunch on specific days since the main entree is not to his liking, which day his progress reports come home and need to be sent back, the one who fills out the thousands of permission slips that come home and need to be signed. (Seriously, is the papermill at school ever going to quit? *eye roll*) The one who knows which day sports signs ups are, the one who keeps up with all of the PTO meeting minutes, fundraisers, school events, school dances, doctors appointments, playdates, sleepovers, oh and his cell phone activity. Don’t even get me started on that! This of course is all in conjunction with juggling a newborn on my hip or my boob (literally).
Low and behold I became the primary parent by default. At times I sit and wonder how the heck I was designated this position. Where was my husband when my kids were handing out this role? Is it because I spend more time with them? Is it because I am more fun? (In my head I like to think this is true, while my husband might disagree).
Don’t get me wrong, I am extremely grateful for my beautiful family. My husband and children are my everything. Some days ya girl just needs a breather! Momcation anyone?!
