You know what really gets to me? People with one kid complaining about how much work their one kid is. Really? Because you’re basically one step above a pet owner with that one kid of yours. Particularly if said kid is 5 or above. I mean exactly what is it you have to do for this lone child? You aren’t changing diapers, getting her dressed, hell she can get herself some cereal and slap a pb & j sandwich together, so what’s the big deal?! Also? Once the kid starts kindergarten she’s out of the house for about 7 hours a day! So really? It’s so hard having that one kid who’s self sufficient in comparison to a newborn, infant, toddler or preschooler? Ugh. I could handle your one kid with one hand tied behind my back! And blindfolded!!
I have heard some crazy stories over the years about these moms who are overwhelmed with their one school-age child. I have a friend who had one of these moms ask her to watch her 9 year old for several hours so she could pack her husband’s suitcase. WTF? Your 9 year old is going to be underfoot while you pack a suitcase? And packing the suitcase takes how long? And why are you packing your husband’s suitcase anyway? I have many more of these anecdotes, but I’ll spare you.
I will tell you that I also am bugged when people say to me “My one kid is like 3.” Really? Are you sure? How exactly would you know? Maybe my 3 are like 9. Huh? Ever think of that? Plus, isn’t your kid 10?! You know how your one kid is constantly saying “Mom” and always speaks at volume 30? Times that by three! I’ve got 3 kids talking over each other, vying for my attention. Even the 17 month old. She can say mom and she also babbles quite a bit. At volume 30. Then they all start yelling at each other “I’m talking!” “You interrupted me!” “MOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!”
Listen, I’m not a total heartless bitch. This bugs me cause I have 3. Three who are a handful and drive me bats (hence the title of this blog). But I do get it. Because no matter how many kids you have, it’s overwhelming. When I had one and was expecting #2 I had no freaking idea how I was going to be able to do that. And crazy me, my first was only 7 months old when I conceived #2. Yes, it was planned. But my point is, #1 daughter was a baby. Super easy. By then she was sleeping through the night, on a schedule, eating solids, not nursing. But I was overwhelmed. I couldn’t see how easy that baby was until I had another one. Then? When I was pregnant with sweet baby #3? I spent 9 months in a panic. I could barely handle the two I had. WTF was I thinking getting knocked up a third time?
We’re moms. We can do anything. While we feel over whelmed with 1 or seven kids (God help you, Lady) we rise to the occasion and we take care of them. And? It’s never as bad as you think it will be. Also? Going from no kids to one kid is by far the hardest transition. So, while I will roll my eyes at you and talk about you behind your back, I really do understand the plight of the mom of an only. Just don’t complain to me too much about how hard it is to take care of your one child who is in school all day. Remember ladies, always consider your audience. I might have a little trouble rustling up some sympathy.
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8 Responses to Cry Me a River
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SITS Girls
Ok… As a “MR. Mom” with 3!!! tours of duties(kids) under his belt. (youngest one just started Kindergarten.yess!) I don’t apreciate all the sexist “Mom” generalizations.lol. I can appreciate the 3kidsandabreakdown state of mind though.
For some reason this vid/clip comes to mind.:)
linky>>>>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc-6NagcnPs
I know. I’ve got to get in the habit of writing “parent” instead of “mom.” I apologize. The vid clip is awesome!
OMG! Yes, yes, yes. I have 3 also. What bothers me the MOST is when someone w/ only 1 child (who has chosen to have just 1, not because of a physical/medical issue prohibiting more kids)is how they make comments towards the idea that perhaps by having more than 1 child, you are doing a disservice to the first born because they will no longer get the opportunities/attention/whatever that they would otherwise. As if having more children is purely selfish.
“Oh..well..I see..since we only have Charlie, we can afford to send him to SuperDuperAwesomeExpensive camp for 2 weeks each summer. Since we only have Charlie, taking vacations is such fun – last year we had a blast in Barcelona and this year we’re off to Aruba! Since we only have Charlie, one-on-one time is our norm.” Etc, etc. You get the drift…
Yes! As if SuperDuperAwesomeExpensive camp and Barcelona are so much more valuable than a sibling!
I’d just like to say the MANY people with only one child didn’t end up that way by choice. Most of us would give ANYTHING to be in your shoes. Now I’m smart enough NEVER to complain about my only child (I complain about my husband instead). I realize the slightest complaint will generate that dreaded, “Well you only have one…” comment. As if I didn’t know that and as if I need someone to remind me. Many parents of only children have cried many rivers and some of them probably just want to participate in the discussion.
I know that many people (too many) struggle with infertility. It’s very sad. Of course I mean no disrespect and never want to offend anyone (most of all a friend). However, this is meant to be my smart ass rantings and I hoped to make it clear that while these compliants will bug me, I do understand. If I were the parent with one child, whether by choice or not, I would be bitching and commplaining to everyone. Cause that’s how I roll. I’m also a huge hypocrite.
Stop having kids people..if all you can do is complain about having 3 kids, then stop..People that dont have kids can be overwhelmed, people that have 2 kids can be overwhelmed etc..and its everyones choice to have 1 or 3 children but do it with some grace and stop the bitching…
Christine, all I do is bitch and complain. And it’s not just people with 3 kids who bitch. The purpose of this post was to rag on all those people with one kid who think they have it so bad. And I did say in the post that we all feel overwhelmed regardless of the amount of kids. But, if you want me to stop bitching, it ain’t gonna happen.