‘Back To School’ week after the Christmas break – what joy, what elation, what relief…. I’m not alone in feeling that, right? We had a super Christmas and we really enjoyed it; what with having a new baby girl and a new house this year, but it all just felt a little bit long.
Three-year-old Jacob and I, normally best buds for life, really started to get on each other’s nerves in the end, so I was thrilled for the pair of us that he was heading back to pre-school on Monday. We needed time apart to get on with our own lives: me; catching up on the, literally, MOUNTAINS of laundry that had accrued over Christmas, and him; making penguins out of Play-Doh and discussing poo rockets with his classmates.
Since I have yet to lose half of the extra weight I gained when pregnant with Eva, I haven’t bought myself any new clothes since her birth in July last year. I have essentially worn nothing but leggings, tracksuit bottoms and maternity dresses for the last six months, and really, my ‘presentation’ for the drop-offs and pick-ups from the school have been nothing short of a disgrace. If I’m honest, I don’t think I’ve even gotten around to having a shower on most of the mornings I drop Jacob in. Honestly, if you were to ask any of the other parents or staff how they might describe my ‘look’, I bet it would be along the lines of ‘Homeless Chic’, ‘Woman On The Brink’, ‘Ah Sure She Has a Lovely Personality, Can We Have Another Question?’ etc.
On the night before Jacob was due back I vowed to do better by myself. I promised to wash, dress well and actually put AT LEAST some mascara on before leaving the house in future. Here’s how it’s gone so far:
Monday: Up at 7am. Had Jacob’s bag and lunch pre-packed from Sunday night and all our clothes laid out. Managed to shower and even blow dry hair (which almost never happens), jeans worn may have been maternity but they were at least clean. Made it to the school for 9.20am, which is proof that I cannot be pretty AND on time. (I’ve been saying that for years).
Tuesday: Literally BEGGED Jacob to leave me alone when he woke me at 6.10am. What is the actual point of the Gro-Clock if he knows how to press the button that makes the moon disappear and the sun come out? Was forced downstairs where I promptly fell asleep intermittently on the couch while he watched Spiderman. Talked myself in and out of the possibility of going for a walk with the baby and dog after drop off; ultimately decided against it but by then was already in ‘Sure I’ll wear the tracksuit up and will have a shower after exercise’ mode – none of which ever happened.
Wednesday: Back on track. Woke up at 7am and got all lunches and clothes organised. Jacob woke at 7.30am and requested breakfast and some telly in my bed (we do that sometimes when school is off). Conceded because he was being so CUTE and Ass Monkey had gone off to school super early and got into bed beside him. Woke up in a panic at 8.40am to Jacob sticking slices of toast over my eyelids in some sort of attempt to keep me asleep so that he’d miss pre-school. Fire everyone into the car at 9.15am wearing maternity leggings, hiking boots, a padded maternity coat that is WAY too big for me and my hair piled on top of my head. I’m 98% sure I didn’t even brush my teeth, never mind have a shower. I feel so sorry for the staff of the pre-school.
Thursday: As Jacob’s pre-school only operates on a four-day week, tomorrow will be his last day in. However, it also coincides with my going back to work after an extended maternity leave and that, I’m sure, will one day be a story in itself. Fortunately for everyone involved, it will at least mean that I will henceforth be forced to wash myself before dropping Jacob off and heading to the office on this one day a week….won’t it?! Wish me luck! x
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