A recent mishap reminds Polly Gillespie of the extreme exhaustion of parenthood
A Recent Mix-Up Reminds Polly Gillespie of the Exhaustion of Parenthood
“I’m sorry if I sounded grumpy. I’m just so tired!” Polly Gillespie shares a less-than-rose-tinted nostalgic moment after making a big mix-up.
Remembering the Exhaustion
I vividly recall the exhaustion of having three children under four. The relentless early mornings, broken sleep, and the occasional 2 AM projectile vomiting incidents. The force with which the vomit traveled across the room, covering everything in its path, was incredible.
I remember attempting to breastfeed the baby cradled in one arm while trying not to suffocate them, grabbing the sick child, bedding, and various soggy toys, all while chanting “don’t breathe through your nose, Polly” as I rushed to the washing machine.
A Day in the Life
Oh yes, I remember waking up after just 15 minutes of sleep, accepting that it was another day with three small children to care for. A day broken up by several two-minute sessions of locking myself in the toilet to cry or scream, then starting all over again.
Places of Reprieve
There are some places parents can go for a bit of reprieve. When my kids were little, there was Lollipop’s Playland and Chipmunks. I have recently rediscovered these magical havens all over again thanks to my granddaughter.
Yes, it still smells slightly of milk, cookies, and feet. It still acts as a big plastic child-minding activity, allowing me to sit with a coffee and sigh with relief, knowing that I’m about to get an hour of… well, not quite peaceful solitude, but a comforting community.
The Never-Ending “Why?”
It’s a place where you can escape the infuriating but important question: “Why?”
- “We’re getting in the car now, darling.” “Why?”
- “To go to the supermarket, honey.” “Why?”
- “To buy cat food and toilet paper!” “Why?”
- “To feed the cat and wipe our bums, sweetheart!” “Why?”
And so it goes on.
The Coffee Mix-Up
Roseanna was very excited we were venturing out to the playland – although not half as excited as me, I must confess. Once through the padded gate, she galloped off to the castle and all the other brightly colored child treasures.
I ordered coffee and found a spot at a table. After wandering away to check the opening hours, I returned to my table, pleased to see my trim flat white waiting.
Putting the cup to my lips, I became suddenly confused as to why my iPhone had become a Samsung, and my keys were no longer attached to a Disney princess key ring. What followed was the sudden, cold horrifying realization I was standing at someone else’s table, drinking someone else’s coffee.
At that exact mortifying moment, a young mum holding a baby and several toddlers alerted me, “Excuse me, you’re drinking my coffee.”
“I am so, so sorry!” I apologized in a semi-bow. I wanted to crawl under the table, her coffee in hand. “Please forgive me. I’ll get you another one immediately! What are you having?”
“Just a flat white, thanks,” she replied. “I’m sorry if I sounded grumpy. I’m just so tired!”
The pretty young mum’s name was Lou. I’d stolen her caffeinated ambrosia.
“Oh, you don’t need to apologize. I’m sure you must be exhausted!” she replied. I went and ordered her another coffee.
It seemed to take forever. I bowed and apologized again and she sweetly said, “Thank you. Just so very tired.”
I knew her “tired”. I remembered her tired. The fog. The constant dull headache. The dragging piles of chunder-covered sheets to the washing machine at midnight. The wondering if you’ll ever get a leisurely sleep-in again, or if that pleasure we all took for granted is but a distant memory.
A Toast to All Parents
So here I sit with two coffees. Lou’s flat white and mine. To my right is a young blonde woman who looks like a supermodel and doesn’t appear the slightest bit fazed or ruffled.
I think it’s a disguise. Inside she’s probably deciding what she can make her kids for dinner that they won’t immediately chuck on the floor.
Oh, I remember this well. I don’t have a glass of champagne, but I’m raising a stolen flat white and half an average cookie to all of you warriors! (Especially you, Lou. Sorry!)
For more insights on parenting and lifestyle, you can visit Parents.
