Are you insanely busy, too? This was my Tuesday…

I’m sure I’ve told you this before, right? Tuesdays are my favorite days. I’m a busy mom. I know all moms are busy, but some days I think I’m insane in the membrane busy! I could cut out a lot of things in my life. Maybe, I should. The problem with that is when I look at what I could cut out of my days, I can only think of the things that I want to do, FOR ME! Like this — being here, with you. Sharing. Venting. Call it what you want. No. I’m not giving that up any more than I’m giving up coffee. I’m. Not. Giving. Up. Coffee.

Anyway, it seems like everything happens on a Tuesday. Don’t go jumping to any fabulous conclusions, though. I’m not just talking about the good things. I’m talking, all things! Whether they’re good, bad, horrific, or fantastic, Tuesdays always seem to be that day for me. I was born on a Tuesday. Maybe, that’s why?

Well, here’s what my BUSY looked like, yesterday…

Tuesday

5:30 a.m.

I can’t sleep. I have to sleep. I deserve to sleep. I don’t have to get up until 6 a.m. today. Dear Lord, puhhhhleeeeassse just let me knock back out for 5 minutes. No…. Laying in bed. I’m mad now. I want that half hour. I need that half hour. SLEEP, ever-thinking brain! Go. Back. To. Sleep!

6:00 a.m.

Don’t scream in my ear! Please stop screaming in my ear. Okay. Okay. I’m up. KIDS! Mommy is up. Okay? okay.

7:00 a.m.

You’re going to be late! I swear you are going to be late. You better not be late! Come on kids! Pleaaaassseee don’t be late. We’re always late. Oh God…. we’re going to be late.

8:10 – 8:20 a.m.

Dropped off oldest. He’s late! Drop off middle son. He’s late! 

8:45 a.m.

Drop off triplets. They are not late. But, they won’t get out of the van. Wait. They’re out of the van. Oh… NO!!!! Stop running. You can’t run in the parking lot. Pleeassse? HEY!!! That’s dangerous. Get back here! IT’S A PARKING LOT. KIDS CAN’T RUN IN PARKING LOTS!!! I’m not going to chase you. I won’t.

Fine. I’m going to chase them. I’m not happy about this…

9:00 a.m.

Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t. Do. It. Everything is fine. I’m fine. Don’t drive until I’m fine. Remember that day I was upset and distracted and accidentally almost got hit by the train. Yeah. That day was not cool. No hard morning is worth being so distracted you don’t see the train coming. I have a point. I’ll just wait a moment. Hmmm…. Facebook. I guess I’ll check in while I sit in this parking lot, waiting… for a what? A do-over. YES! At 9:15, I’ll just pretend I got a morning do-over.

9:15 a.m.

What? Wait. Was that gas light on when I left the house? Probably. I have to get gas. Shoot. I’m going to be late!  No. I have that important call at 9:30. I have to get gas. I’m going to run out of gas. Then, I should get gas. I’ll take the call in the car. Except, I need those files at home for the call. It’s okay. I’ll get gas. Then, I’ll go home.

9:45 a.m.

I’m home. Why hasn’t she called? My heart has been racing for 30 minutes thinking I’d be late for this call and she doesn’t call? The kids aren’t home. No one is home. Curse like a sailor! It’s fine. Everything is fine. It’s still early. No. I woke up FOUR HOURS AGO. FOUR hours should be some type of productive. What have I done? I dropped off kids, got gas, checked Facebook, and said all those words loud enough for the neighbors to hear? Oh yea. Mom of the Year Award. I can see it now…

10:00 a.m.

Seriously, she’s not going to call. I should call her. Talking to her is my number one priority today. This is an important call. She said she’d call. She will call. I should do something productive while I wait. The morning is almost over. Dinner. I’ll make dinner. Wait… wth? I didn’t wash the dishes yesterday? I have to wash those dishes now? What am I going to cook with if I don’t wash those dishes, NOW. I do NOT want to wash those dishes. I have things to do. I’m busy. Fine. I’ll wash the dishes, because I’m going to cook dinner, NOW!

10:30 a.m.

The. Call. Half washed dishes. No dinner. Of course.

11:00 a.m.

Oh no! My online class! Shoot. Why now? WHY now? This is great. Just great. I can’t get into this class. OMG, it’s 11:20. I’m so late! Whatever. I’ll miss the live class. I’ll watch the replay later. While I’m on the computer, when am I going to get the email. Should I have gotten it already? Maybe I should email her. No. I’ll wait. I really do need to send out those other emails, though. That was on the schedule for 10:00. It’s already 11:30 a.m. I need to send those emails, now.

11:45 a.m.

I have to pee. I have to pee. I really have to pee! If I run to the bathroom, I won’t pee my pants. I can’t stop potty-dancing. I can’t run. I can’t walk. Keep dancing. It will pass. It will. I knew I shouldn’t have held it. I should have gone in the second bathroom while the kids were brushing their teeth this morning. Why do I always hold my pee? I can’t be the only woman who holds her pee! I’m going to pee and then I’m going to finish the dishes.

12:00 p.m.

I have to cook dinner. I can’t cook dinner. That post! It’s due by 2:00 p.m. I can’t be late. I have to pick the kids up at 2:00. WHY am I still in my pajamas? I need to take a shower. No. I need to do that post! I’m going to finish my post.

1:45 p.m.

Finally. Finished that post! Double happy dance! About to leave and friend stops by. Do I have to pee? No! Okay, I do. But this isn’t my pee dance. It’s my happy dance.  I got an email earlier that my post from the other day was selected to be run for an ad. I also got that call I told you about. Yes, the Disability Rights Attorney. Just in case. Advocating for your kids is hard but I won’t stop. Oh! MY KIDS! I have to go get them, NOW!

2:05 p.m.

Crap! I’m five minutes late. I’m sorry, Teacher. Huh? Andres ran away from you and his Aide? You didn’t know where he was for a little? He was trying to do it again, right now? Oh. Okay. I’m really worried about all his bolting. How is that possible? He seems to know less letters now than he did in the beginning of the year? The environment is too much for him, I think. Even with his Aide, I think it’s too much. You do, too? Yea, we need to talk about that at the next IEP meeting, next month. ANDRES!!!! Come back. Stay with mommy! KIDS!!!! Wave goodbye to Teacher as I abruptly end the conversation and run for the kids.

HEY!!! That’s dangerous. Get back here! IT’S A PARKING LOT. KIDS CAN’T RUN IN PARKING LOTS!!! I’m not going to chase them. I won’t.

Fine. I’m going to chase them. I’m not happy about this…

 

2:15 p.m.

Put your seatbelts on! We have to go! Shhhh!!!! Hello? Yes, this is her. What? Pedro’s 504 meeting today at 3:30? Oh, yeah! I was just about to call you. Umm…. I don’t really know what to do. I don’t think I can make it. The triplets started their ABA Therapy again, yesterday. It’s from 3:30 to 7:30. Yea, I know. That is crazy! It’s terrible. They were supposed to have enough people for each child when the Regional Center assigned them the cases, but that wasn’t true. They have only one Tutor who is doing two double sessions, 2 hrs. each boy, and Kaitlyn still doesn’t have a Therapist. Their bedtime is 7:00 p.m. I guess it’s not anymore.

Yes! PERFECT. Thank you. I’ll attend via phone conference. I was hoping that would work.

2:25 p.m.

OMG! Put your seatbelts on!!! Who wants to go to the store to get a little treat? You do? All of you? Great! Put your seatbelts on!

2:30 p.m.

Okay. Everyone hold hands in the store. Good job! You want those chips? Okay! Nice staying together, cuties! I’m so proud of you. I love how you are following instructions. Okay. Give me the chips…

Oh. Um, hold on, Sir. Maybe I left my wallet in the van. Oh….. I’m sorry, Sir. I did not leave my wallet in the van. I must have left it at home.

Stop throwing stuff in the store! STOP! I promise, we’ll come tomorrow. Mommy didn’t bring her wallet. I’m sorry! We don’t bite. That hurts! Okay – stand up. We have to go. Mommy is sorry. Let’s go! Kids, we’re leaving. We don’t spit!

2:40 p.m.

Put your seatbelts on! We have to go! We don’t spit! Okay. We’re going to leave in a minute. Mommy has to make some calls before I drive. I need to make some Doctor’s appointments and call a lady.

3:10 p.m.

Okay. Hurry! We have to get in the house. Are you hungry? Mommy is going to make you something special. No, we can’t go back to the store. I told you, we’ll go tomorrow. I know. I’m sorry. We don’t bite! Stop pulling her hair. Owww! Use your words. I don’t understand. Are you mad? Is that why you threw your shoes at mommy? See mommy’s eye? It’s all red. Because you hit me with your shoe!

3:20 p.m.

Cartoons! Do you want cartoons? Please, let’s watch cartoons. The therapist will be here any minute. I’m going to make you some sandwiches! YUMMY! Right? Don’t you love sandwiches? No? Here…

Please eat these sandwiches! OMG – eat those sandwiches! Your person will be here any minute.

3:25 p.m.

Hi! Yes, this is her. I thought our call was at 3:30? Yea, I know it’s 3:25. No, you don’t have to call me back. Now is fine. Wait – can you hold on? Someone’s at the door.

Hi! Enrique, it’s not nice to hit her with the door. She can’t leave. We have to let her in, my love. Come back! I’m sorry. Can you just find him? He’s probably going to hide and I’m in a 504 Meeting phone conference. I’ll chat with you when I’m done.

Hi! Are you still there? Thank, God!

Oh no! The older kids. I forgot to tell them I couldn’t pick them up. Oh, I guess they figured that out. I see them walking up the driveway now…

4:15 p.m.

Enrique still won’t work with you? Not the table! Don’t throw the table! Let’s talk. Do you want to talk about it, sweetheart? I know you’re mad, but if you keep breaking mommy’s things then I’m going to get mad, too. That’s not okay. Use your words. Okay. Mommy has to work. I need you to stop hurting people and throwing things. Be nice to your person. I’m going to work…

Kaitlyn, get out of the fridge. Remember? You have to ask. Your tummy is going to hurt. OUCH! That hurt. No. That’s not true. I’m not the worst mommy! You had one sandwich. Three sandwiches are too many.

4:30 p.m.

I have to pee. I have to pee. I really have to pee! If I run to the bathroom, I won’t pee my pants. I can’t stop potty-dancing. I can’t run. I can’t walk. Keep dancing. It will pass. It will. I knew I shouldn’t have held it. I should have gone in the second bathroom while the kids were brushing their teeth this morning. Why do I always hold my pee? I can’t be the only woman who holds her pee! I’m going to pee and then I’m going to finish the dishes.

Oh no! It’s almost 5:00 p.m. I have to call that place before they close. Oh shoot! Soccer practice! I can’t take them. What am I going to do? The Therapist isn’t allowed to stay with the kids. Maybe she can wait in her car 1/2 hour while I run to drop them off? That seems mean. But, this isn’t my fault! Four hours? Ridiculous! We have lives. We have things to do! Why don’t they have people? Why did they say they had people? Ugh!

I know! Yea, he can take them to practice.  KIDS!!!! Get ready for soccer practice. Eat. Do you have homework? Are you sure? Are you lying? Really, you don’t have homework? Eat! Get dressed. Dad will be here any minute to take you to soccer practice. No. No, I can’t take you! What’s the difference? Dad will take you! Eat. Get dressed.

Triplets! Leave the Therapist alone. We have to be gentle. Do you remember the rules? We have to be gentle.

5:00 p.m.

OMG! It’s 5:00 p.m. I didn’t get dressed today. I’m still wearing pajamas. I have to get ready for my sponsored Twitter party at 6:00 p.m. DRAWING! Who wants to draw? Mommy has to work. Okay? Please, leave the Therapist alone. Let her work with your brother. Leave your brother alone. Ouch! That hurt. Be gentle. Use your words. Mommy has to do her work. We don’t want mommy to get in trouble. Yes, mommies can get in trouble if they don’t do their work. Yep.

I think my fingers are going numb. I didn’t know I could type this fast. Whoa. My fingers are flying! Phew! I can’t believe I pulled it off. I’m ready for this Twitter party!

Woohoo! Let’s get this party started…

6:30 p.m.

I’m almost done. Just another half hour. Because mommy is working. I can’t look up. Mommy has to look at her screen. Ouch! Let the Therapist do her work. Don’t say that to her. NO! Mommy did not say she will get fired if she doesn’t do her work. No. I didn’t say that, kids. I said MOMMY will get fired, if I don’t do my work!

How about some cheese? Give mommy the cheese. No, I can’t make spaghetti. Just eat the cheese. Everybody loves cheese. You love cheese. OMG! Eat cheese! Mommy is working. CHEESE IS GOOD!

7:15 p.m.

I’ll make you some more sandwiches. I know mommy didn’t make dinner tonight. I always make dinner. We can have sandwiches tonight. Sandwiches are good. Yes, they are! You are all tired. That’s the problem. I know. 15 more minutes of your brother’s therapy and then you can take showers!

You have to take your showers. It’s bedtime.

7:30 p.m.

Okay! Have a great night. I know, they were definitely in some moods tonight. They’ll warm up to you. It’s just been one of those days. Okay – drive safe!

7:35 p.m.

Come on. Let’s get you all showered! Eat your sandwiches first. Ouch! Okay. That’s enough. Use your words or we will not go to the store tomorrow.

9:15 p.m.

Go to sleep! Oh…. Hi, Antonio & Pedro. How was soccer practice? What? You’re hungry? No. No, I didn’t cook dinner today. How about some delicious sandwiches? What? You do like sandwiches! Don’t lie. Yes, you do! Just eat a sandwich… Fine, I’ll make them. Just jump in the shower.

10:00 p.m.

Finally. My turn to take a shower. Wait, I’m taking off my pajamas, showering, and putting on new pajamas? How can it be 10:00 p.m. already? OMG! I still have so much work to do…

10:30 p.m.

I have to finish that one post. I better do that now. There is no way I can do it tomorrow. I’m too busy, tomorrow.

11:30 p.m.

Phew! I’m glad I got that done. I really need to review the blog posts now. That can’t wait. Tomorrow is the deadline. I’m not going to wait. What if tomorrow doesn’t go right and I miss the deadline? No. I’ll do them now.

Wednesday

1:30 a.m.

It’s tomorrow? How is it tomorrow?! I’m so hungry. That’s right, I didn’t cook dinner. OMG. Look at those dishes. I hate dishes. Stupid dishes! I’ll do them tomorrow. I mean, today? Today is tomorrow, now? I’m so tired. I’m hungry, though. I should eat. There’s nothing to eat. I better eat a sandwich. I don’t want a sandwich. Forget it. I’ll just eat tomorrow. I mean, today. Whatever! I’ll eat later. I’m so tired. I’m going to be so tired, tomorrow. I better make my to-do list for tomorrow. I won’t remember tomorrow, because I’ll be too tired. OMG! There’s no school tomorrow. It’s going to be a hard day.

2:00 a.m.

Hi, bed! I’ve missed you today! Good night.

2:30 a.m.

OMG! Please let this be a dream. I can hold it. I can hold it. I can’t hold it! I have to pee. It’s not a dream. Of all the terrible things to have to wake up for… I hate peeing. I don’t have time to pee. Peeing is stupid!

6:00 a.m.

Don’t scream in my ear! Please stop screaming in my ear. Go back to bed. You don’t have school today. It’s a mommy-and-me day! Puuuhhhleeaassse go back to sleep. Mommy is tired. Okay. Okay. I’m up. KIDS! Mommy is up. Okay? Okay.

What time stamp can you most relate to? Share in the comments! We’d love to know.

By: Alicia Gonzalez