Being off on maternity leave has been a revelation in so many ways.
I've learnt so much about myself and not all of it good.
I'm no longer so weedy since I became a fully paid up member of The School Run Club.
When I was working, I used to drop off the kids to their various places (one to school, the other at our childminder), run back to the car and drive like a loon to the office. It didn't matter what the weather was like because I'd be heading to my warm and dry desk.
Now that we're having what seems like the longest winter in the history of the weather, finding a parking space, having change to get a ticket, dealing with the cold/wind/rain, cheering up The Peaceful One who is normally in a foul mood at this time of the day, and trying to keep The Goddess asleep has become a mammoth task.
Everyday brings a new challenge but patience, treats, and the gritting of teeth gets me through it.
Another thing I've learnt is staying at home means constant mess. I'm not massively tidy, but since being home, our house looks like it's been burgled on a permanent basis.
I can't bear it. In fact I've started to develop slight OCD tendancies.
'Um, can you not mix the colours of the Play Doh please.'
'So you've finished with the puzzle, can you pack it away before you get out your cars.'
Clatter, crash! That's the sound of the entire box of lego being tipped on the floor. Ok, keep calm, deep breaths. The children are only actually playing with their toys. But OMG half of it is under the sofa.
Snip, snip, snip. 'I'm just making cards for all my friends mummy.' So why is most of the art cupboard on the floor?
Frankly, glitter is the devil's dust.
Grr!
Naked Barbie's, marbles, dolls clothes, teeny tiny little shoes for Polly Pocket, Transformers parts, Play Mobile bits, endless unidentified arts and crafts projects, balloons from party bags, twigs, Hama beads, the list goes on.
I'm living in a trashed nursery.
And don't get me started on the laundry.
I want clarity and I want it now!
Why can't my house be like the ones you see in Living Etc or The White Company?
Clean lines, storage for everything and not a sticky fingerprint in sight.
Because it wouldn't be much fun that's why.
Oh.
