The late afternoon lull

You know the one?  It is an all too brief moment and fits in somewhere between manic school runs, homework, juggling hungry children whilst trying to cook tea, stopping the fighting, smoothing over the arguments and hoping that a few more minutes screen time will just give you that few minutes to sit down with a nice, hot cup of tea.

Oh.  No.  Before your bottom has even made it anywhere near the sofa, there are cries of “MUM, can you wipe my bum.”

You try and convince the the child in question that they really are old enough to do it themselves and will yourself onto that comfy spot with your cuppa, but no the child will not, cannot and won’t let you.

“Mum!” You shut your eyes and silently count to ten before smiling through gritted teeth.  “He called me a ..”  Here we go again, back into the ring to call time.

“Mum, I can’t find …” Off I go to find the ‘lost’ thing and yes it is where I said it would be.

“Mum, I’m hungry.”

“Mum, I’ve spilt my drink everywhere.”

“Mum, I need …” Yes, you need the thing that is right next to you, yet I have to fetch it.

Why is it never; “Mum, go and have a sit down and drink your tea.”

So it goes on and suddenly a moment of tranquility falls over the house.  They are all fed, watered and occupied.  There is no fighting, no arguing, no complaining.  One child is on the computer. One child is watching television or playing on their iPad and the other playing.

Heaven. That cup of tea is still warm. The sofa is so comfy and for five or maybe even ten minutes, I am not needed.  There is lots to do of course, when isn’t there?

I pick up my iPad and flick through emails and social media.  Then I feel guilty.  This is my late afternoon lull.  I know that the children have probably had too much screen time but it is nice not having to be referee.  I know that I really should get down and play with my daughter and spend some quality time with her but it is nice to have a few minutes to myself.  I know I should be interacting with them in some way.

Feelings of guilt creep in.  We should be sat at the table doing something together.  I should be talking to them more.  I shouldn’t be so selfish.

But it is only a few minutes.

Sure enough almost after my allotted ten minutes is up, there is someone shouting “mum” again and wanting food, drink or a problem being sorted.

The late afternoon lull is over for another day.  It didn’t last long.