Mum of seven, living the hectic, crazy and never dull life!
My own personal packing was done in about 5 minutes flat as the laden down car practically reversed out the driveway without me. With every available space in our red bus filled, and a bum on every seat, we set off on our marathon journey.
Car trips have taken on a new meaning since the children’s arrival. Gone are the days of leisurely drives. Nowadays it’s all about bribery and distraction and trying to make sure child number six doesn’t swipe child number seven’s soother en route!
Undeterred by his brothers, the five year old continued “yes I think it is a planet, but I don’t think foxes are realâ€. The seven year old wasn’t entertaining this notion at all “of course they’re real†he said “I’ve seen one†“Yes, but he was probably trying to sneak up on you like a mud monster†the five year old replied. “I love Spiderman†said the three year old. “I’m going to be a daddy when I grow up†said the five year old, “not a mummy, because I have a willy, like Spidermanâ€. “I love Spiderman”, said the three year old once again.
I attempted a little gentle persuasion to encourage the younger children in particular to go asleep and said that their daddy and I would carry them into bed once we arrived. “But we’re not tired†the five year old protested “we just have itchy eyelashes.â€
It’s summer break and school is out
There’s parents on the brink
Of panic at the thoughts of it
It’s driving them to drink
The children have a different view
Of the weeks that stretch ahead
With no early starts or busy days
Do they need to go to bed
At 9 o’clock or even ten
Sure the sun is in the sky
And if you try to coax them in
You know that they will cry
And cry and moan a little more
Protest that it’s not fair
Cos Johnny, Sam and Sarah too
Are playing over there
And on the days the sun’s not out
The rain has come instead
The little darlings everywhere
Are bouncing on the bed
They’ll tell you that they’re really bored
They don’t know what to do
In spite of having many toys
That fill a room or two
The squabbling starts, “he hit me first”
Your nerves are all a flutter
You count the days up in your head
And “pleasantries” you mutter
But though you think you’ll lose your mind
There’s something to remember
When school is out, there’s one great thing
No homework til September!