I Told You So

Ok, I admit it.  I judge my sisters harshly because they are stay at home moms.  They went to college and got Bachelor Degrees and then chose to stay home and raise children.  It's totally cool.  And totally not my thing.

They tried to warn me about getting a teenager, but I told them they were crazy.  I mean, he can feed and bath himself, what's the big deal?

One of the reasons this post has taken me so long is because I wanted to make sure I was telling the truth.  You see, more than one person at work have told me that I am successful because I do not have children.  This struck me horribly wrong.  But having a teenager the last 2 months has taught me so much.

Today, my sister asked if I like having Finn around.  I answered, honestly, "Yeah... most of the time." "What did you expect," she asked, "it's a kid."

But that's it: time.  That's what I wasn't expecting.

The other day Finn asked me what I expected a host kid would be like.  I told him, honestly, that the things I was worried about was not at all what I should have been worried about.  And I did not realize how much attention a kid would need.

I know, I know. If you are a parent (or bonus parent) you are laughing right now.  Of course they take time! Finn expects to eat EVERY DAY.  Also, there is homework.  And keeping him entertained. And making sure he is happy and healthy. But on top of that I work full time and so does my husband and we have his daughter every other weekend and Finn has soccer and my sisters have birthdays and I have yoga and we go to my parents once a week and then I have my friends.

I know I probably go overboard.  I am a slight perfectionist.

So my sisters were right.  Having a kid will change your life, even if it is a teenager.  THERE! I SAID IT!

But here is what I say to the people at work:  It's all time.  Everyone has the same 24 hours.  Not having kids doesn't give me more time, but having one has sure changed how I spend it.  I have tried to be very self aware.  I will not say I did not have time to post in the last 3 weeks (although I really want to), because I did have time.  I just chose to do something else.

Admitting this is like granting forgiveness; it takes so much weight off.  Yesterday the boy and the Brit and I played Rock Band for 4 hours.  That was a choice I made.  Tomorrow it's school, meetings. helping my Godmother/Godfather with their computer woes and then being back at home in time to meet the foreign exchange people (they have to come to make sure we are taking care of the kid.  Although it's more like he takes care of us.) And then cooking dinner.  Again.  I mean seriously, it's like every night!

But it's also an amazing pay off.  My sisters are already missing Finn.  And the Brit and I are, too.  The memories we make (sledding, go karts, Rock Band,) are worth more than the fact that it's harder to keep up at work and I have gained 6 pounds because eating healthy and working out require time that I have traded.

So be honest with yourself.  You have the time; own how you choose to spend it.  And maybe invest in some freezer meals.