As the mother to 3 bubbly girls under 5, I can say a thing or two or perhaps 10 about parenting toddlers. My life is in competition with roller coaster rides. The following fun facts will tell you why.
1. Nursery rhymes are my favourite songs. While doing chores, I sing the ABC song, "Humpty Dumpty" and more. My niece, who has a one year old daughter unconsciously sang aloud "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" in a public place until someone had to ask her if she had kids. I laughed my ribs away when she told me.
2. Bath time is confusing. I go into the bathroom for a shower and pour the kids body wash unto my sponge. Halfway through the shower, I realise I chose the wrong soap. That's what I get for scrubbing kids all the time.
3. TV time is toon time. Sometimes I just want to curl up on the couch and watch Mercy Johnson mending shoes in "Caro the Shoemaker" but the girls will persistently say, "Mummy, can we watch Curious George?". In order to let my ears rest, I put the cartoon for them and probably end up watching it with them and laughing together.
4., Phone calls are chaotic. I hardly go through a phone conversation without saying things like, "N, don't pull the baby's hair. S, if you want to pee, go to your potty.Take turns with that toy. Don't go upstairs." Sometimes they choose to do the wackiest stuff when I'm on the phone. Two days ago, as I gisted with my Mom, my hair got decorated with all manner of hair accessories.These little beings can be mischievous.
5. There's no end to cleaning. I clean, clean again, then clean some more. After breakfast, I clean, after learning time, I clean, after play time, I do a massive clean up. Sometimes I just leave the house as it is and wish it would clean itself.
6. They are enemies to your napping. At some point in the day, I feel a desperate need to nap. I lie on the couch to steal some sleep while they play or watch TV. Shortly after, S starts pulling my feet, "Mummy no, don't sleep. Wake up!" Urrrgh Can't they just understand? Mummy needs a little break. When I was younger, I had an uncle whose greatest way of punishing my brother and I was to yell, "Go and sleep!" We hated him for that. But right now I just wish someone would punish me with sleep.
7. Going out is a huge project. I start preparing them about two hours before an outing and sometimes I still end up arriving late at my destination. Sometimes, when they are all dressed up, you hear a small voice saying, "Mummy, I want to poo."
8. I hardly shop for myself. When I get into a store, I am so attracted by the cute girly stuff that I forget about me. I go to buy shoes for me and end up buying dresses for them. It's hard to avoid unplanned shopping for them.
9. Sometimes grocery shopping turns into a "catch me if you can" game. I normally put my 2 year old into the shopping cart and put the groceries by her. That's dangerous because she starts opening up the groceries before I even pay for them. So sometimes I just have to let her walk. Apart from filling the cart with things I don't need she sometimes starts running and giggling. Funny to her but definitely not funny to Mama.
10. I celebrate bedtime. After a long tiring day, I usually can't wait to get them out of my life for a little while. When I tuck them in, I breathe a sigh of relief and thank the Lord.
Bonus point: Multitasking is my new surname. I'm always doing several things at once. While breastfeeding my youngest, I update my blog and supervise the older ones as they play. I cook, do laundry and teach ABCs at the same time. There's always so much on my plate so multitasking is a must.
Some days I feel like I will lose my mind but I still pull through somehow. Nothing beats the experience staring into the love-filled eyes of these little cuties and hearing them profess love for you. I always remind myself that they won't be this young forever. So I cherish everyday because a day that passes by is never coming back.
Which of the above points do you relate to most? Don't just read and stay quiet ooh. Type something in the comments section and make me smile. Motherhood rocks! Hope you had a sweet mother's day!
Bella Oma says
I surely had a good laugh!!! I can relate even though I have just one toddler! I cant imagine what i'd do when and if I get to number 3!!
You are doing great!! Happy Mothers day to you!!
Precious Nkeih says
Awww Bella, thanks for the compliment. I'm blushing. Lol. Dearie, if you get to 3 you'll still pull through somehow. I'm glad you had a good laugh. Thanks for commenting!
Happy Mother's Day to you too!!
Precious Nkeih says
Dear Anon, are you looking for similar sites to mine? Not sure if I understand you. Please explain further...
Anonymous says
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Bongjoh says
Hmm love all your postings... I'm still a university student but am also looking impatiently to be a parent and a father someday (To my two dream kids). So Precious, what does Mr N do to pertaining to parenting? waiting......
Precious Nkeih says
Thanks Bongjoh! Parenting is better when both parents are actively involved. As a potential father, it will be great to join forces with your wife to ensure that your kids are well raised. It is not called help, it is called parenting.
Joy2Endure says
LOOL Hilarious. Roller coaster ride for real. Not a mum but after helping with a long line of nieces and nephews, I sure can relate to this. Mothers rock!
Precious Nkeih says
When you look after kids, you experience this to a large extent. Mothers rock indeed!
Bongjoh says
Thanks for the kind words dear Engeyaka.. I'll stick to ur parenting advice. You guyz rock!!
Wan Tatavi says
I totally relate to all 10 and more. I have 3(toddlers) like you. Its awesomely tiring.. Yep. I remind myself to losen up and just enjoy the moment while it last. Thanks for the laugh..
Unknown says
I totally relate to all 10 and more. I have 3(toddlers) like you. Its awesomely tiring.. Yep. I remind myself to losen up and just enjoy the moment while it last. Thanks for the laugh..
Precious Nkeih says
Glad you can relate, Wan. We really have to enjoy the moment while it lasts. Thank you for reading!
Angele marie says
Hahahaha I relate to all eventhough I have one toddler ( boy). He only has two speed settings which are fast and faster. Grocery shopping for me switched to online shopping and delivery because he saves his biggest tantrum for the shopping centre. He throws the biggest fit because I refuse to pay for a chocolate bar and other sweet treats that he likes so much. I know I will catch up on my sleep someday but I will never catch up on this toddler years, so I try to enjoy the chaos.
Precious Nkeih says
Lol at two speed settings! No in-betweens. Those tantrums in grocery stores are the most embarrassing. My now 3 year old used to do that a lot. Please enjoy the chaos while it lasts. I'm enjoying mine in my own corner. Lol
sylvia madubuike says
hehehe no 7 got me cracking, my daughter does that always, makes me go to church late attimes. your girls are cute, abeg reserve one for my son o. *winks*
Precious Nkeih says
Sylvia, make wona prepare Bride price well ooo. Thanks dear.
Anonymous says
I relate more with point 6. After a very tiring day having to cope with them, also girls, work and sometimes church, when I want to rest there is no way not to talk of the baby that cries at night. But you know amidst the tiredness, you get some relief when you just see them curdling around you and raining down kisses on you
Noela says
Oh the worst is when you finish dressing up your baby for an outing and when you're ready to go, she poos, it's like you can just die, being a mother is like being on an adventure, indeed mom's rock
Precious says
Oh Noela! When you say yes to motherhood you say yes to "wrongly timed" poop sessions. Motherhood rocks indeed.
Cynthia says
Oh my Goodness!! u swelled up my day. This has been my biggest contemplation ever since I fathomed that I am a mother . Often times, I ask myself if I thought this marriage was going to be void of kids.....Just one toddler and I find myself sometimes grumbling....''Papa God! Who send me eh?'' is the question I catch myself muttering under my voice.....In this far away South Africa where u slice spinach and take her to her potty by yourself at the same time....It took me another 3 years to conceive. One of the things that beam me up is when she returns from the day care and sings the songs she learned.....The Holy Spirit is my strength oooo
Precious says
Oh the shock that comes with motherhood! I smiled throughout as I read your comment. It is truly a roller coaster ride. Enjoy every moment with your little one, dear. May God continue to give you strength.
Doris says
Motherhood truly rocks. In the midst of all I usually tell myself they are growing up, soon all this will be over. I thank God each day when they all in bed trusting that none wakes up when sleep is sweetest. Enjoy the moment.
Precious says
Thank you, sis. Enjoy the moment indeed because it won't last long.