As the holidays approach, my kids are coming home, eager for cozy beds, homemade meals, and cherished playtime with our loyal pup, Max. This has got me pondering… what if I took a little break from all this parenting?
I adore my two boys, but their absence has prompted me to reflect on my own life changes while they’ve been off growing up. They’re busy navigating school, making friends, and seeking independence, while I’ve been quietly shifting in my own way. To them, I’m just Mom, always present in our home, fulfilling my role as their caregiver.
But what if, during their time away, I explored some of my old hobbies that have been sidelined? What if I considered new career paths? What if I found out that I actually enjoy a life with less responsibility? Would that make me a bad mom?
My home has a different vibe now. I’ve simplified things: small bottles of laundry detergent, a dishwasher that only runs twice a week, meals that last for days, and breakfast that sometimes consists of nothing more than a giant cookie and a cup of tea.
The greatest transformation has occurred in my closets and drawers. Items that had collected dust for years caught my eye. I tackled the kids’ outdated school projects, notebooks, and art supplies, tossing away what they no longer needed. Even my sock drawer saw some action; I finally parted with those long-lost singles that had been waiting for their mates. In the past, I might have just shoved them into the laundry room as makeshift dusters, but not this time. They went straight into the trash.
The chaotic kitchen drawer filled with random odds and ends? Gone. Now I’m questioning how many dishes two people truly need and what else I can let go of that I once believed was indispensable.
I’ve also given away the exercise bike that had long been neglected, reclaiming the space for myself. My camera, a once beloved creative outlet, has been revitalized—no longer just a tool for documenting life, but a means to express myself once again.
As for schedules, I’ve lost track of due dates and assignments. There’s no frantic late-night rush for school supplies or last-minute poster board runs. My to-do list has shrunk from a lengthy spiral notebook to a few sticky notes.
I still receive emails from my kids’ former schools about volunteer opportunities, but I’m not quite ready to sever that connection. It feels too new to accept that they aren’t around full-time anymore.
Last night, my partner and I watched a film about a French chef, and it struck me: I’ve completely forgotten about my dreams of traveling to France, Canada, Wyoming, and well, just about everywhere.
Now that my kids are returning, I’ve missed their familiar calls and laughter. Yet, I’ve also realized how much I’ve missed myself. It took their absence for me to clear out the old and make way for new possibilities. Just last week, I dusted off my notebook and started crafting to-do lists for our family once more.
So what if my kids come home to find a slightly different mom? I’ll still be the same loving mother, but perhaps I’ll embrace some new aspects of myself. They’ll be different young men, too. Will we still connect? Will we fall back into our old patterns, or will we ease into new dynamics? Only time will tell.
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In summary, while I’ve been busy rediscovering myself, my kids are returning home, bringing their unique changes and growth with them. The future is uncertain, but it’s filled with potential.
Keyphrase: rediscovering motherhood
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