10 July 2008

5 Minutes Peace


This has always been one of my favorite books-ever since I read it to my nephews years ago. It has also become my mantra, "If only I could have 5 minutes peace!"

Take this morning for example. I do try to get up and showered before my boys get up, but this morning I couldn't do it. I was up at 5:15 yesterday and couldn't fall back to sleep and, as a result, was slow moving today. So, Andy got ready and left, leaving me to try and get ready with all of my boys in tow.

I told Peter (8) that I was going to jump in the shower. He is very good about watching his brothers while I do this. (I figure it is good practice for 3-4 years from now when he will be old enough to babysit.) About 30 seconds after I get in the shower, Drew (5) arrives in the bathroom and plops down on the toilet. Hello? We have a second bathroom. Do you really have to stink up the room while I shower? Moments later, Michael comes in, pulls back the curtain, and yells, "Mommy!" Umm...trying to teach the boys modesty...this was not what I had in mind. I quickly finish and jump out. I didn't even get a chance to shave my legs. It is summer, and my legs right now look like they do mid-winter when I can hide them behind pants. So I try to get ready, but now I have Drew asking me to check that his heinie is clean, and Michael wanting to brush his teeth. I say, "Boys, can you please give Mommy 5 minutes?" Peter's response, "You mean 5 minutes peace? Like the book, right?" Yes, exactly like the book.

4 comments:

Amy said...

We are constantly trying to explain 'peace' and quiet but I don't think they'll get it before they are grown...ha!

Anonymous said...

One of the first casualties of motherhood - privacy. Everytime I go to the bathroom, someone's either knocking, screaming my name, or jamming their tiny fingers under the door. It makes it impossible to concentrate! I'll check out the book. ;-)

Gramma 2 Many said...

Therese, I hate to dissapoint you, but it never ends. I still cannot take a shower in peace and I do not have children living with me. Just that I do not seem to make it in there before Olivia arrives for her day with me. I think I have finally convinced her that she does not have to strip down and join me. That Gramma likes to take her shower alone. She will still stand on the other side of the curtain with millions of silly questions, popping her head around the curtain to see if I am finished yet. Gotta love her. BTW she is #3418

Anonymous said...

I am so with you. I don't know what I'm going to do when Elizabeth stops taking naps. Ugh, I have to get off the computer now. She just pooped and she stinks. When is this going to end????