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Returning Home from a Child-Free Getaway: The Struggle is Real
By: Lila Morgan
Updated: Dec. 1, 2023
Originally Published: Aug. 17, 2015
I know that one day, I’ll reminisce about the quirky little things in my home, like a mini drawer filled with “googly eyes.” I’m fully aware that I’ll eventually feel nostalgic for the giant container of mismatched cleats and shin guards piled in my basement. These items will remind me that my kids have grown and moved on. I get it, but today is not that day.
This morning began with a cheery “Oh, hello 4:30 a.m.! Jet lag, you’re a real treat.” It was one of those days where I accomplished so much before 8 a.m. that I could probably make even the toughest drill sergeant shed a tear.
The mantra for the day was, “I have different standards of cleanliness than they do,” repeated over and over. Just 17 hours after returning home from my lovely getaway with my partner, I found myself thinking, “You’re making me un-miss you already!” as the kids engaged in relentless bickering.
Today was the day I thought, “Hey, let’s actually put things AWAY when we’re done with them…ALL THE WAY AWAY!” I had a mid-afternoon outing that featured a moment where I thought, “If you screech like that in the car one more time, I might actually drive off the road!”
And why, oh why, is there always poop in the toilet whenever I need to go? It was also a day filled with, “I won’t dignify that question about snacks or screen time with a response.”
Today was one of those days where I thought, “I’ve said this many times before, but this time I might actually lose my mind.” It was a day heavy on the sentiment of “I value organization too much to have this many kids” combined with a strong “Why do I even try?” vibe.
Dinner time brought the classic line, “It’s too bad you don’t like spinach, because it loves you!” followed by the bedtime routine of “Brush your teeth. Brush your teeth. Did you brush your teeth? Please go brush your teeth.”
I genuinely believe I’ll miss the chaotic sounds of little feet padding around the house at the crack of dawn someday. I know that’s true. But today, the day after returning from my rejuvenating trip to Amsterdam, is certainly not that day.
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Summary
Returning home after a child-free vacation can be a tough adjustment as the chaos of parenting kicks in. Despite the inevitable nostalgia for the little things, the day-to-day realities of parenting can feel overwhelming.