I’m doing something crazy today. I’m working on this post while my children are awake. It’s crazy – I know. I’m used to working in the still of the morning now around 4 am, but yesterday about 2 o’clock my body decided that it was done carrying me through my crazy schedule and decided to develop a sore throat and general yuckiness. As I finished my day feeling a lot like I was slowly dying, I decided that getting up 4 in the morning was going to be a very bad idea. So I didn’t.
I got up with my kids this morning around 6:45 and lay in bed for a few minutes thinking and sleeping some more. My almost 6-year-old raced upstairs to play Mario on the Wii and his 3-year-old brother trailed after him. I could lie in bed for a while and luxuriate with my now-slightly-less-sore throat or I could use this time. I could actually work.
So I did.
I have four things to write this morning.
I wrote the first one without interruption. I reviewed it and sent it off. Then I started on the second. It was a bit more complex and required some research. By now I had company in the form of a three-year-old, but I powered through with the help of Starfall.com and some squeezing yogurt.
I thought that was going to be the end of my productivity this morning with my oldest coming back downstairs, but suddenly – a stroke of luck! The boys found their art kits sent to them by their loving grandmother back at Christmas time.
As I write this they are coloring and perhaps painting using their art kits. While I’m slightly concerned about what they are doing, I have them set up on the kitchen table where I can hear them. So far we’ve only had one spill and no fights. Who knows? I might actually finish all of my work this morning while my kids are awake – what a novelty!
I have a few thanks to offer up for this unexpected productivity.
First I’d like to thank the Wii for providing distraction in the form of Mario Brothers. My oldest will play you for hours given the opportunity. In another year or two, the younger man will likely start playing with great intensity as well. I can expect a tremendous productivity boost at that time.
Next I’d like to thank my cheap vinyl tablecloth from Wal-Mart. For only 5 dollars, I have the peace of mind that no matter how much they color, paint and spill water in the breakfast room as I type, nothing will stick to my table. I might go in there in a few minutes and find a huge mess, but with the use of the vinyl table cloth, while not very attractive, the mess will be easy to clean-up. I should give a shout-out to the tile underneath the table as well for catching some of the mess for me.
Finally, I’d like to thank the early morning hours. It’s a proven fact around here that my children are much more cooperative and independent in the morning hours than they are in the evening. Once the day is winding down they are whiny and needy, but right now they are enjoying themselves. They are honing their coloring skills, and they are creating a heck of a mess, but they are content. I don’t feel as though this would be the case in the afternoon or evening. It gives me hope for the summer months – maybe I can sleep in until 5 and still be productive!
Now I’m off to the last piece of work for the day while I still have a chance. May your day be as productive as well.
Wow. You are officially my hero.
I cannot fathom being awake and productive at 4 in the morning. Neither can I imagine being equally awake and productive with THREE active children anywhere in my vicinity.
I am hard-pressed to keep my three-year-old son occupied for an hour so I can get things done on the weekends. He wants a constant playmate, which, I must admit, is part of the reason he has a little sister on the way. But that’s another story altogether.
Anyway, I salute you, ma’am. And your $5 vinyl tablecloth from Walmart.
Congrats on learning the way to work around children. I however don’t believe in video games.. ( Spongebob works great for my little one ). It’s great to see your efforts work for you at a time when you needed them most. Hope that sore throat is gone by now also.
@ Chimica – Thanks for the congrats! I believe in balance for the most part, so video games are fine around here so long as they are balanced with other activities. So far my kids seem to find natural balance, which is great for me. Somewhat ironically, I despise Sponge Bob and won’t allow my kids to watch that. Definitely every mom needs to find what works for her.
@ L.C. I only have two active children unless you count my husband who acts like a child. They are great at keeping each other entertained and they find plenty of ways to make huge messes. I’d recommend vinyl table clothes and play dough any day of the week.
it will get easier. I remember doing this in the early part of my freelance career. I now have 5 uninterrupted hours while they are at school. Video games and TV are a lifesaver, and not going to kill the kid– we survived didn’t we? I like to think I’m pretty smart and successful and I was raised on some Nintendo and Atari 😉