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| Who will I play Toddler Ping Pong with now hubs is back at work? |
It’s the big back-to-work day and I’m not ready. I’m the lucky one – it’s my husband going back to work, not me. This time last year I was delighted to get back to “my ship, my rules”, but this year I don’t want him to go. Who will I play toddler ping pong with? I already have holiday nostalgia – looking back with my prosecco-tinted spectacles at all the lovely family moments we shared. With the sound turned down by the power of hindsight, I needn’t remember that I was cursing him for not buying the right kind of batteries or that he was querying why we had seven Chocolate Oranges in the house but no loo roll. Despite these gooey memories, I’m cool with Christmas being over. I’m happy it’s the new year and all that. It’s not a festive comedown that afflicts me. I just feel a little lonely. Sure, I have my gorgeous little toddler still at home when the other two are at school. And I’m never without my good pals Dishwasher and Washing Machine. Old Washy certainly won’t notice that the man of the house has gone back to the office – but I will. He makes me laugh when I drop a tub of brandy butter on my new slippers. He dilutes the madness of our household. When I want to divert our toddler so I can concentrate on the other two / the inside of my eyelids, I just need to say, “Where’s daddy?” and off he trots. Last January, I was relieved to pack him off to the train, the poor dear. Generally I prefer to be left to my own devices, to not feel like I need to justify my being at home by ostentatiously trotting in front of him like a dancing pony, a laundry basket on my head, juggling kids’ reading books and nutritious homemade lasagnes in my ragged hooves. Perhaps because he has reassured me that he values my role at home, or perhaps because I’ve finally realised that he doesn’t notice what I’m carrying unless it is a tray of cocktail sausage rolls, I feel I can relax a little (as he’s always telling me to do). And now he’s going! But, as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Or crosser – one of the two. I’m sure by tonight I’ll be tutting because he’s home at 7.31 instead of 7.30pm. But my toddler will be delighted to have finally “found Daddy”. Are you sad or glad when your partner goes back to work? How different things were last year: Off To Work You Go – Please Dear!
March 13, 2022
Don't Leave Me! – Wry Mummy
maximios Blog
It’s the big back-to-work day and I’m not ready. I’m the lucky one – it’s my husband going back to work, not me. This time last year I was delighted to get back to “my ship, my rules”, but this year I don’t want him to go. Who will I play toddler ping pong with? I already have holiday nostalgia – looking back with my prosecco-tinted spectacles at all the lovely family moments we shared. With the sound turned down by the power of hindsight, I needn’t remember that I was cursing him for not buying the right kind of batteries or that he was querying why we had seven Chocolate Oranges in the house but no loo roll. Despite these gooey memories, I’m cool with Christmas being over. I’m happy it’s the new year and all that. It’s not a festive comedown that afflicts me. I just feel a little lonely. Sure, I have my gorgeous little toddler still at home when the other two are at school. And I’m never without my good pals Dishwasher and Washing Machine. Old Washy certainly won’t notice that the man of the house has gone back to the office – but I will. He makes me laugh when I drop a tub of brandy butter on my new slippers. He dilutes the madness of our household. When I want to divert our toddler so I can concentrate on the other two / the inside of my eyelids, I just need to say, “Where’s daddy?” and off he trots. Last January, I was relieved to pack him off to the train, the poor dear. Generally I prefer to be left to my own devices, to not feel like I need to justify my being at home by ostentatiously trotting in front of him like a dancing pony, a laundry basket on my head, juggling kids’ reading books and nutritious homemade lasagnes in my ragged hooves. Perhaps because he has reassured me that he values my role at home, or perhaps because I’ve finally realised that he doesn’t notice what I’m carrying unless it is a tray of cocktail sausage rolls, I feel I can relax a little (as he’s always telling me to do). And now he’s going! But, as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Or crosser – one of the two. I’m sure by tonight I’ll be tutting because he’s home at 7.31 instead of 7.30pm. But my toddler will be delighted to have finally “found Daddy”. Are you sad or glad when your partner goes back to work? How different things were last year: Off To Work You Go – Please Dear!