And Mother Takes All

Over the past week, I have been inundated with messages from disgruntled readers asking why I haven't updated my blog*.

Well, the answer to your questions (okay, question), is simple. It is school holidays. And in school holidays, Kerri The Blogger is challenged to a duel by Kerri The Mother (who has just obliterated Kerri The Wife, Kerri The Friend, Kerri The Worker, Kerri The Walker** and Kerri The Housekeeper) and is utterly defeated.It is true. Kerri The Mother has completely taken over. Every second of my day, every ounce of my strength, has been taken up with all things Children, and I feel that there is nothing left.

I try to make time for myself. I really do. I know that a Happy Mother makes for a Happy Child, that I am the backbone of my family, and that if I don't take care of myself, how can I possibly take care of my them? Well, these are terribly good theories and I am sure that they are very valid. But - just like the theories of rocket science are very valid - that doesn't mean they can be put into practice by just anyone.

My kids, you see, aren't all that good at entertaining themselves. The two year old can occupy herself for short periods of time (during which there is massive destruction of property, massive consumption of inedibles, and the occasional wee in her pants), but then she insists on sitting on my knee, whether I am attempting to compose an important email, or am standing at the stove cooking dinner.

My eight year old daughter doesn't require much attention, but this is due to a severe addiction to television, rather than any inner resources. She can park herself in front of the television for six to eight hours, which brings me some respite, but has unfortunate side effects, like headaches (for her), a dazed expression (her again), speaking in an American accent (ditto), and major parental guilt (that one would be me).

My ten year old son, on the other hand, is unable to occupy himself for more than... well... at all, really. I can take him out all day for exciting activities (like, you know, grocery shopping) and within ten seconds of walking in the door he will be 'bored' again.

Now, obviously I don't give in to his constant pleas to entertain him. But neither can I completely ignore them. It's hard to, when his face is pressed against mine, especially when I am attempting to go to the toilet.

So for now, my friends, Kerri The Blogger has had to take a back seat. Kerri The Mother has taken the throne.

She's dying to abdicate, though. And when school goes back, believe me, she will.

*Okay, so one reader. And admittedly, it wasn't an email, it was a telephone call. And no, it wasn't disgruntled, it was more of a general interest question. But what does it matter anyway? It's MY blog and I'll exaggerate if I want to!
**Who makes very rare appearances, so is fairly easy to quash