Children

[rimturse]

Don't get me wrong - I'm fond of my friends' children, and I believe they are fond of me as well. I really enjoy visiting my friends with children. Also, there's nothing better than cuddling a baby on your lap, feeling their soft downy head against your chin. BUT! Since my friends have become parents, it has been impossible to have a normal phone conversation with them. I've figured out that the best time to call is in the evening, after the kids have been put to bed, but still something child related always pops up - and my originally offer of calling back later is gratefully accepted. Only, when I call back later; something always pops up again. It's not that I call often, either. Now, I'm not complaining - well, I am, but I'm not blaming my friends or their children. I know they are rushed off their feet AND I know it's easy for me to say this, since I don't have any children myself. However, I am wondering if it really is THAT difficult to find half an hour of uninterrupted time?


Siofra -third try:

Took another glance at the painting yesterday. Became convinced it was the eyes. Held it up in front of a mirror and it became very obvious that it was the eyes - and that there might be some issues with the overall shape of her face. Altered the position of her eyes and eyebrows, changed the shape of her face slightly, added a few strands of hair, gave her wider lips and increased the shading. Took a better picture this morning and resubmitted. *crosses fingers*


Plans for today: Do two reviews, answer e-mails, finish painting bathroom, tidy up, put together orders, go to post office, pack beads - and if there's more time after that: Write and paint.

Comments

i have to say YES

[tyarky.livejournal.com]

it is THAT difficult to find even half an hour of uninterrupted time.

being a mom to two kids, my kids are bigger now though,
i can say, yes, been there, done that.
and it is THAT difficult,
especially with much smaller children.
after you've put them to bed,
you have to do the other things you couldn't do when the kids were awake,
maybe laundry, maybe house cleaning, maybe the husband needs to be taken cared of, too...
and sometimes you just need some quiet time on your own.
and then after you've done all the things that should be done,
you're either too tired or it's too late.

i must say that at times women also need their girlfriends.
it's just that having kids requires so much time and energy.

one of my married and with kids girlfriend told me just the other day how FREE she felt just being alone shopping for flowers at migros. she really really needed some time on her own.
she and her husband sometimes forget to or are too tired to eat.
they have 4 kids, 2 bigger ones and 2 small ones.
by the time the kids have eaten, have been cleaned up,
they're just too tired to take the trouble to even eat.

Re: i have to say YES

[frigg.livejournal.com]

I do understand that they are busy and tired. I'm often exhausted after just visiting! :)

However, I'm talking about half an hour every 3-6 months. I AM calling long distance from Switzerland to Denmark...It's not so much the lack of time that bothers me, though. It's more that I ask if I'm calling at a good time and they say "yes, sure" and yet I spend 2/3 of the time on the phone waiting while they yell at the husband or at the kids who have crawled out of bed. Sigh...ah well, if it really is that difficult, then I guess I'll just have to wait for the yearly visits to catch up with them.

Re: i have to say YES

[tank-boy.livejournal.com]

oh yes, I know that situation. And I think it's not the same with all families. Some people's life is truly dominated by their children and they really don't even have a minute for themselves or for their friends... until one day they collapse. Others seem to find a way how they can reserve some space for friends and their own needs.

I know that you can't compare people in different situations. Some are more privileged and have someone to take care of their kids or just know better how to set limits, others have a big heart for everyone and everything, neglecting their own needs. And also children can't be compared... some babies and kids are easy-going, not very demanding and letting their parents sleep, work and enjoy themselves, others rob their parent's sleep, patience and health... But all parents deserve to have some space and time for themselves, but often they don't have or postpone this need. and some parents just don't let go... they wouldn't trust some relative, friend (or even husband!) to take care of the kids. And this is what I really don't understand: people who wouldn't give away their kids!