More to life.

Posted by Theresa on October 7th, 2012 . Filed under: Personal .

For the last 2.5 years, my life has been consumed with parenting.  It has been consumed with pregnancy, breastfeeding, crying babies, cuddling babies, tantruming toddlers, teething, mountains of laundry, mountains of dishes, baby spit-up, diapers, 3 meals a day, snacks, milk fetching, toy cleaning up, sweeping, bedtimes, reading board books, abcs, kid’s shows, YouTube, crayons, play dough….and, well, you know.  You do the same.

 

I know it’s only been 2.5 years.  A lot of people have done it for a lot longer than that.  Granted, this last year with three very young children has been particularly challenging…

But on top of doing all this stuff, day in and day out, for so many hours a day, I’ve been using my free time to talk about it.  Here…on Twitter…with my friends…with my husband.  My ENTIRE LIFE has literally been CONSUMED.

 

I just need a break.  There is more to life than parenting.

I haven’t been blogging much here lately.  I’ve been writing a fair bit for Crunchy Twin Moms, and that’s been great.  But here?  I don’t know.  I’m not sure what to say.

I read somewhere that the average blog lasts for about 18 months.  I’ve been writing this blog for almost 2.5 years.  I’ve loved it.  I’ve needed it.  I’ve immensely enjoyed spilling out my feelings, sharing stories, and hopefully entertaining you once in a while.

 

But lately?  Lately, I just don’t want to talk about parenting anymore.

When I’m not parenting, which isn’t very often, I don’t want to talk about it.  I want adult things.  Adult conversations.  Adult activities.  No kids.  No parenting.  Adult stuff.

 

So, when I’ve had a free moment lately, I haven’t been using it to blog or tweet, like I used to.  Maybe I will again, but for now, I’m just not into it.

We’ve reached a bit of a plateau around here.  My babies are one year olds.  My toddler is creeping up towards 3.  Things have calmed down.  I’m having a chance to breathe and sleep and feel human again.  And I’m taking the time to re-find myself.

So, I am very sorry that I haven’t been here much.  It’s not you, it’s me.  I’ll probably be back, because I love to write.  And parenting isn’t going to end.  And I really hope you stick around for when I do write again.

 

Do you ever need a break from talking about parenting?  What do you do in your non-kid time?  I’d love to hear from you!

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  • Apple

    I tell my hubby that all the time. He gets to leave the house and have adult conversation (even if it is just about work). I stay home and all I have is twitter for my adult talk. He doesn’t get it. With my non-kid time I usually read or art journal. As long as it’s quiet I don’t really care what I do. haha :)

    • http://www.highheelhippiemommy.com/ Theresa

      EXACTLY. And the majority of my talking on Twitter has been ABOUT parenting, so I just haven’t been there as much, because I just don’t want to talk about diapers and rashes and not sleeping. lol!

  • http://twitter.com/MaryBeth_Martin MaryBeth Martin

    After 7 years I finally have some me time now that all 3 kids are in school. (btw typing 7 years makes me want to cry…how did they grow so fast??) I decided to start back to college for ME this year. While I find it challenging balancing being a wife, a mom of 3 in school who need my help with all of their homework etc, and my own school work it makes me feel like I am actually accomplishing something in my life. How sad is that? I am a mommy to 3 wonderful, well mannered kids ages 6 and 7 and I don’t feel like I have accomplished much. I have signed the kids up for 4H and Girl/Boy Scouts to get involved in our new community and meet new people. Sorry for the rambling. That’s my update and what I do in my “spare time” ;) Enjoy your break and we will be here when you decide to write again. Hugs!

    • http://www.highheelhippiemommy.com/ Theresa

      I love the update! Thank you! I love that you’re back at school and finding things to do with the kids!

  • http://josepmendes.wordpress.com/ Joseph Mendes

    Plateau? Time for another baby, then! ;)

    • http://www.highheelhippiemommy.com/ Theresa

      lol! It could be, it could be…not sure if we’re ready for that yet. ;)

  • Keeley Proudfoot Heni

    ~I appreciate your blog because sometimes I just need someone to talk to and don’t feel like I can talk to my little one. Since there’s no other adults in our home at present I feel alone when I’m having particularly difficult parenting challenges;although my sister and mom do help when I get stressed and need a break. My question is this; I am trying to fight my urge to be pregnant right now because it doesn’t seem responsible. I am married to a non citizen and we are not in the same county so being pregnant and having a baby could cause a lot of delay in both our lives if I’m in a position where I’m in need of a lot of respite. But I am almost forty and my only child is not five so I am ready for a baby and think of it constantly. I cannot think rationally about this situation and need an objective non judging opinion of my thinking process because I don’t think anyone can truly be supportive of my having a baby alone with no income when i already have one child who takes all my time and a husband is not here. I feel I am at a crossroad and need to make a decision. On the one hand I believe there is no right time to have a baby; you just feel it and that’s how you know your ready. On the other hand I don’t want to have a child who would’nt be able to see his father or hurt my husband by giving birth to our child when he is not here in the country and it feels like a big problem to me because I am ready to have a baby!

    • http://www.highheelhippiemommy.com/ Theresa

      Wow, that’s a really tough decision! Especially at 40, if I wanted another baby, I would probably want to do it as soon as possible, personally! But your situation is very complicated. Not sure how to help you! Good luck with your decision.

  • Marcy (@mightymarce)

    My question to you is, why does your blog or twitter have to be about *just* parenting? Why not use this space to explore other aspects of your life, other interests, etc? There’s no reason why this blog can’t change and evolve along with you as life goes on. It also doesn’t have to, of course, and if it’s time has passed there’s nothing wrong with that, either. But I think there can be more potential for flexibility here than you may think. ; )

    As for me, I’m trying to get back into photography more. It was so hard to find the time for it after Quinn was born, and I’ve really missed that creative outlet and have felt like I stagnated or even went backwards in my skill level and creativity. So I’m trying to focus on that more again.

    • http://www.highheelhippiemommy.com/ Theresa

      Thanks Marcy,

      Yes, you’re right. I don’t have to feel as pigeon-holed in this blog as I feel. I’m just all over the place right now. Lost, even. If I had another clear direction or two, maybe I’d feel more comfortable exploring it. lol!

      Photography is so awesome. I wish I was good at it! Kudos to you for feeding your passion. :)

  • Sarah Clark

    Well….I am pretty much going to freak out if you stop blogging. WTH?! But I would agree with the others- it is your blog. It can be about whatever you want and I am sure whatever you want would be interesting to me. You have done fashion stuff- whatever. I know mine has changed with time. Sometimes it is just therapy for me, other times a way to express anger safely, and sometimes it is about birth (which is the original intent for me). But I would love to keep hearing your voice.

    • http://www.highheelhippiemommy.com/ Theresa

      Thanks Sarah! I’m sure I will keep blogging, I just need a little bit of a break. :)

  • Meg

    Hey Theresa! I just wanted to say I love reading your blog! So blog about whatever! Even if it’s not about babies, parenting etc. I just love reading what you write. Your good at it! :) I totally understand how you feel though, but hopefully you can find something else to write about :) Glad you are finally getting some time to yourself & some much needed sleep! Im happy to hear that things are a bit easier for you now. All the best xo
    -Meg (@Treehuggz)

  • Raquel Molczan

    i totally understand how you feel. i absolutely love being a mom. always dreamed about it. after an unwanted c-section (placenta previa ruined my plans for a water birth), I struggled with PPD. It was that unnatural surgery, along with my daughter struggling with severe colic/ reflux, and not wanting to breastfeed that did me in. i had battled with GAD and major depression since my pre-teen years, but this was different. All i did for almost 6 months was bounce her up and down, clean up after her vomit while trying to tune out her her piercing cries. (but never did i let her CIO or attempt CC). she was always carried for the most part. she is still to this day high-needs and spirited. when she has her tantrums, i regress back to those tough times. i feel like i’ve aged so much these past 16 months. i’m really worn out and like you…i really need a break :(