It seems to be a secret—the fact that we parents actually sometimes (often?) prefer our kids’ company and hanging out doing the family thing to other options. I don’t know why, but people often assume that parenting is overwhelmingly hard and that I must be aching to get away from my teenagers (or, when they were younger—preschoolers, pre-teens, etc.) and do something “grown-up.” Sure, sometimes I do like a little adult company, but to be honest, I often prefer just being with my kids and spending time as a family!
Now, granted, I am a parent on purpose. And, as a single parent, I have always worked and had to move around in the adult working world, in addition to taking care of my family, so there is some built-in balance there. I’ve also dated and I do have adult friends to do things with—but sometimes I would much rather go to the movies and out to dinner with my kids, or just hang out at home in our bare feet watching movies and eating popcorn—than going out on the fanciest date at the fanciest restaurant. Honestly!
I tend to get a little irritated because people assume that being a mom is boring or overwhelming and that I am dying to get away from my kids. Well, sometimes it is overwhelming and I do need a break—but it is NEVER boring. EVER! Since my kids were little, I often can’t wait to walk through the door at the end of a long day and even if things are messy or hectic, having a kid or two sit across the counter on the high stools while I prepare dinner as we tell stories of our respective days is absolute perfection.
I don’t think I’m particularly anti-social or overly-domestic—but family life is the life for me. I enjoy my kids’ company and doing all those things that other people assume to be drudgery. I like the unpredictability of family life, which is just the opposite of what many people assume it is like—they think it must be so dull and ordinary and stressful. Sure, it can be darn stressful, but it feels like grand living to me!
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