In general, I think I have a tendency towards being slightly agoraphobic. I've never been a fan of being outside without having a real reason. Particularly just "going for a walk". I liked a destination, and even that wasn't always my main motivation to get out. I have spent periods of my life where I would consciously avoid the "outside world" for stretches of time.
There is no more time where that is apparent than on Saturday. For years, Saturday has been the lamest day on our family calendar. The hubby has been busy on Saturdays as long as we've had children, it's never been much of a "family day" here. There is often so little to do, so few places to go, and I'm much more content to stick around in the house, in my own small world. When the kids were tinier, it was because going places with more than one small one was just *not* something I cared to do. Now, it's just as pleasant to stay home.
Some days, I think that makes me a lousy mom. I should be motivated to take the kids for walks and to the park. At the same time, they love playing in the yard. It's not like I keep them cooped up in the house. Just that we tend to stick close to home on Saturdays. However, if we go out somewhere, we always enjoy it and have fun.
I wonder how I can get over this tendency.
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3 comments:
I don't know that it's something requiring "getting over". Your children get lots of time out of the house at school and other activities. There are places to go, and things to do, during the week, and *especially* on Sunday, given your husband's line of work. ;) Under the circumstances, unless it is restful for you (plural) to go and do on Saturday, I would shift from your default inertia to an intentional Sabbath. I think you can make this time holy - and I don't mean religify it ;) - without changing a thing, and continue to be blessed by it. Simple acknowledgment and intentionality can make all the difference.
I, too, don't think that you need to change a thing, nor do I think that staying home of a Saturday and not running around for the sake of running, makes you a bad Mom. You are a stellar Mom, Kristin, one whose patience I try to remember to emulate. (Thanks!)
I think that every family needs time when they can just *be* in their home. I beleive that too often we teach our children to expect to be led from one place to another activity to the next distraction. I see the difference in the behaviour of my children when they don't have time to just float through the house and yard, doing what catches their fancy. Can you imagine the revolt if your I or my C did not have time to create their signs and stick them up all over the house and yard? ;p (And btw, M and R are sticking signs up all over chez nous, too!)
We are soooo similar! Monika calls it being "home bodies" and, like the comments above, I'm not sure that there is anything wrong with this tendency. Our kids like the downtime at home -- needed after a week of very busy days "out" at school, church, Nana's house, etc. Part of it is enjoying your home (and yard) together. I know I cherish the few times we had together with you just "hanging out" at your home. I think it is a needed corrective (as BL said, "sabbath") to a busy world.
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