I’ll be the first to admit it, I don’t play with the kids enough. There’s always something to do. Some meal to make or room to clean, somewhere to be or conversation that has been put off and needs to be had. My answer is often, “Just a minute, baby.” “I need to just finish this one thing.” “I’ll be right there.”
And I don’t think I’m always wrong. I do have meals to make and shit to clean, because even though there are rules about only eating at the table – every-damn-thing is sticky! All the time! Why? How did this happen? How are you and your hands and your face and your knees always covered in some disgusting gooey substance? Someone needs to keep us from living like a bunch of frat boys, because you small people are the reason we can’t have nice things!
Then, once in a while there is time and not vacation at a resort time, but good old fashioned time to spend with them just to play. Not at Jump-til-you-barf, not at the movies or an organized activity, just to actually play. And when these moments happen, they are magic.
Because I’m A Badass. That’s Why.
We had a rare moment. We were away from the world. There was no internet or cell phone access. We had feet of fresh snow, tons of sleds, and two bad-ass mamas to play with these four little kids and boy did we play! We didn’t only play with the kids, we played along side of them. The daddies took off for the day and the mamas were tubing, sledding, building jumps, hauling kiddos behind the snowmobiles, and laughing our butts off.
We only went inside for hot cocoa and a bite to eat. Plus a quick game of Guesstures (which by the way is way more fun with two adults) before heading back out for more. More tumbles into the powder, more doubled over in laughter, more freezing fingers and toes, and more play. And when the kids were too done for more, us mamas got the daddies fresh back from the river to suit up and pull us behind the snowmobile. We wanted our turn to try and make it around the track just once! (Mostly to show the children how it’s done.) And our kids watched from the warmth of the cabin in the picture window. They watched their mamas be badasses. Have our own fun and teach them by example how life is to be lived.
Making Time to Play with the Kids!
Now with summer right around the corner, I’m promising myself to tap into this moment and make it my mission to carryout my badass intentions and get out there and play with my kids. I promise to slip and slide. I vow to run through sprinklers (fully clothed). And while I know I’ll fit in changing sheets and cleaning toilets, and trying to get a meal on the table that everyone will not only eat but no one makes gagging sounds during, the play will stay with all of us. In our muscle fibers, in our laughter, and hopefully the kids will remember their mamas not only as the toilet cleaners and butt wipers but as the badass mamas who can whip the kids around a corner while they hold on for dear life and laugh like wild banshees.
Mama life is tough. There are schedules to keep and humans to keep alive. Mamas don’t get enough time to be the “fun” ones. We have to be rules and regulations while so many others get to be the fun ones. Grandparents, auties and uncles, babysitters, and often our partner get to have all the fun. So, every once in a while with no guilt say f- it. Jump in the pool or the sand or the grass and roll around with them. Get dirty, eat junk for lunch. Let them have cookies first and do it with abandon. You’ll thank yourself. (And they’ll look at you just a little differently – because who knew mama could be so WILD!?!?)
Guest Blogger – Founder of The Mama’hood
Hi, I’m Allie.
When I’m not at the mama ‘hood my favorite thing to do is enjoy our amazing city with my husband and our two boys. We love to ride bikes to City Park, hang at the amazing museums, and cruise to some of the great watering holes (when we’re not at all the sports practices & games).
~Allison Schneider
I feel so fortunate that I get to call this work. Who else gets to wake up every single day and help families celebrate life & love? I love that I get to tell their story. It is incredible to be able to create a moment in amongst all of the chaos that is parenthood, where moms and dads can really just focus on the amazing family that they created. I am pretty lucky if you ask me! Are you are looking for a family photographer? It would be an honor to craft a completely custom portrait experience for you! To learn more, drop me a note at hello@erinjachimiak.com or click here.
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