July 22, 2009
I have been home with my twins for five years now.
I don’t mean to insinuate that we never leave the house. I don’t even mean to say that I haven’t gone on trips without them. I just mean that for for five years I have been the primary caregiver. I have either been a stay at home parent or a work at home parent for their entire lives.
I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful husband who doesn’t mind that I now travel for work. (Yes, I blog as a career. I know, life is tough, right?) I am also lucky enough to have parents and in-laws who are always ready and willing to help take care of our children whenever we need anything.
To be fair, sometimes they are willing to help even if we just want to do something. Yes, I am fully aware that I am one of the luckiest people in the world.
My point is that I spend a lot of time with my children. A LOT. Seriously, me and the kids are together ad nauseum. Sometimes it is nice for us to get away from each other. I need a break from them and they need a break from me.
Plus, when Grandma is with them all day long they get to do pretty much whatever they want. (I mean that in the nicest possible way. Grandparents are supposed to spoil their grandchildren. It is part of the circle of life.)
Usually when I travel for blogging business the kids don’t seem to miss me at all.
Somehow this time has been different. They are fine all day long, but at bedtime my son wants a lullaby.
The lullaby can only be sung by me.
Two nights ago it was in over in the quiet area by the restrooms at the Pittsburgh meet up. Last night it was in a corner near the front door of The Greenhouse Tavern. Tonight I stood in front of Lola singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to my son while my dining companions ate dessert.
I feel like Faith Hill in that old cell phone commercial that always made me so mad.
It is fun to go on road trips to blogging conventions. It is fun to be a grown up for a couple of days. I enjoy going for more than 24 hours without having anybody wipe their nose on my shirt and being able to go to the bathroom without having someone walk in who has an urgent need for a banana.
But even at BlogHer, where I can talk about social media and blogging platforms and streaming video I never stop being a mommy.
I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Cross posted on the MomRoadTrip site where Devra and I are currently driving to Chicago.
Posted by Goon Squad Sarah @ 12:01 am • Parenting
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July 22nd, 2009 at 8:09 am, William Says:
Banana’ are addicting you know.
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:21 am, Tammy Says:
He is so much like Eric in that way. Last time, when we came back he was VERY clingy. Needing to touch me almost all the time.
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:19 pm, Stephanie Nichols Says:
Thanks, you made me get all teary-eyed. Again.
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:33 pm, patois Says:
It’s those urgent needs for bananas that always get me.
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:24 pm, DCUrbanDad Says:
Can I have a banana?
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:09 pm, Jaye @ canadian-mom.ca Says:
Mmmm bananas
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:13 pm, Lori Says:
You will be pleased to know that Matt (with help of LumpyheadsMom) has now conquered the banana.
We are hoping for no banana induced drama in the future.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:04 am, Jungletwins Says:
Awwwww, very sweet that you sing to your kiddos, even when away.
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:17 pm, Your Mother Says:
Well jeese – I TAUGH you that song, you’d think I could have filled in!
July 24th, 2009 at 8:20 pm, Trenches of Mommyhood Says:
This was perfect, Sarah. Hope you’re having fun!
July 26th, 2009 at 10:24 pm, JavaMom Says:
Awwww. Another blogger and I were talking about how although we have been away from our kids before, we missed them more this trip and I think it is because on this trip we were all talking about our kids. It’s terrific, however, that through technology you are able to provide a little bit of “mommy love” — lullabies over the cell aren’t the same as being in mommies arms but gosh that’s better than nothing! When it was too loud I texted a simple message to my husband’s phone for my 5 year old and later called them.
Sweet post! I wished I got to see you more at the conference!
July 28th, 2009 at 11:51 am, lisahgolden Says:
I’m glad that no one wiped their nose on your shirt at Blogher. When I used to travel a lot for work, I would take a photo copy of a few of the pages of whatever book my kids were reading and we would read together over the phone before they went to bed. That is one of my favorite memories of when they are small and I had to work.
July 31st, 2009 at 8:56 am, jennifer ozuna Says:
Isn’t it sweet to always know you’re needed? I get giggles thinking of you singing in your phone amongst strangers…kind of funny, but it’s sweet.
I’ve been reading you on and off for a year or so. Thanks for all your great posts!
December 31st, 2009 at 6:29 pm, Sarah and the Goon Squad » 2009: That Went Fast Says:
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