When I was younger I couldn’t wait to stay up on New Year’s Eve! I loved watching the ball drop and making lots of noise to ring in the New Year. This year it’s a whole different story. It’s not even 8:30 yet and I am exhausted! As a single parent, I am always running around trying to get things done, especially during the holidays. There is always so much to do and I have a little helper running behind me and undoing things faster than I can get them done! If you are a single parent, you know exactly what I am talking about. By noon, I am begging for a nap, by seven, I can hear my pillow calling my name, and by ten, I can feel my mind turning to mush. New Year’s Eve is no different, in fact, I think it might be worse. With all the party preparations, I’m about out of my mind before we even get there.
Luckily, my baby is only three, so I can get away with going to bed early. When he’s a little older I’m sure I’ll get sucked back in to staying up until all hours of the night watching fireworks and banging pots and pans as the clock strikes 12, but for now I think I’ll take advantage of the baby stage and head to bed a little early tonight.
Gone are the days of staying out all night and playing with friends. Now New Year’s Eve is filled with cooking, cleaning, chasing babies, running errands, and spending time with family. And ya know what? I think I prefer it that way. The younger version of myself would probably think I was crazy, but I would much rather ring in the New Year in the comfort of my own bed tonight! I guess that really does make me an old fuddy duddy!