This is a snapshot of my former life. Money well spent. Very well spent.
Things that I miss from my former life are pretty simple.
Being sick without having anyone other than myself to look after.
Shopping alone.
Losing a whole day in the sun reading a book.
Movie marathons. Either sitting at home and watching about 12 hours of movies back to back or going to the movies and seeing a few movies back to back. Once upon a time I used to write film reviews until I realised how much I hated being a critic and I loved being a fan.
In hindsight, I underappreciated my pre-kids life in a somewhat epic way. I think though everybody probably does.
But there are still things from my old life that make their way into this one.
I’m not wallowing whenever I feel sick anymore. But I do look after the kidlets when they are sick. Last week Riley was sick. Not sick, sick. But definitely warm and under the weather. And I feel guilty writing this but I enjoyed it. She was so snuggly and I enjoyed it.
Yesterday I went on a trip with just Riley and I. It was the first time I’ve done that since Piper was born. When we got there she made up a song called ‘just mummy and me’ I think my heart exploded.
And then we went to the movies and I got to see her light up when the movie started. Actually, she lit up before then. I think she would have been quite happy to sit there and watch previews for two hours. But when the movie did start I got to watch every shriek of delight coming from the little person next to me, every riotous laugh at something unexpected, every look of wonder in her eyes. I probably spent more time watching her than I did watching the movie.
When we left the theatre she was pointing at every poster saying she wanted to see that movie as well. Be still my beating heart.
I don’t think anyone appreciates their pre-kids life until sometime after they’ve had kids.Would I go back? No. But it is nice to get to do some things without them sometimes.
I think most things are better for me now, but is it really wrong to say I miss money?! I do miss having ‘my own’ regular money.
I miss the same things about my former life….oh, and sleep, I REALLY miss sleep! And a dinner out every now and again with Jase without having to worry about how much the wine costs. But as you very rightly point out there is much joy in the new way we live….I say as the little boy in front of me spins around in circles to make himself dizzy on purpose.
I am certain that I’m more of a child now than I was as a kid!
What a gorgeous post, Zoey
I miss sleep the most and having hobbies..
I can’t wait to have some alone time with Alexa like that again. If you read my latest post you’ll see we’re at the Daddy stage where I’m chop liver. I’m so very glad that Riley enjoyed it as much as you did <3
One on one time is such a treat – I get quite jealous when I should be feeling lucky to have a husband and parents to take Mr 3 on adventures that are just all a bit much for his one year old brother. When it is just Mummy & Me 3YO time I always feel like it’s a window to the future reason for why we do this – family adventures with less food on me – a time when we can be with our kids AND wear those nice things in the wardrobe without fear of destroying them. Knowing that future is so close helps me to remember that I’m not too special to scrub half eaten food off floors – something the big corporation I once made money for AND all the ones I bought stuff from would love me to feel – impatiently forgetting that this messy, noisy, needy part is just a little pocket of my life and I only get one shot at this many cuddles. Stuff is just stuff. (but I would really love to read on Sunday lying in the Sun – after riding my bike without thinking where I’m going before I leave)
I really really miss my pre-kids life. I adore my kids, but I wish there was a way of finding more freedom. ‘Just mummy and me’ – so special.