Column- Mom, give yourself a compliment

That I need a glass of wine every evening is not strange to me. For weeks I have been indoors with the children and no matter how good it goes, I am exhausted in the evening! It’s not nothing, but we are doing well and let’s say that to each other more often and give each other a compliment!

Give yourself a compliment

Every night I compliment myself! We got through this day just fine. And come on, I’m not complaining!

Let me put that first.

I am a mother, I do not turn my hand to this. It’s shorthand and okay I have less time for myself! I am fine!

But still, once in a while, we can say that we find it difficult.

Keeping all the balls high and not for a week or two, no, for weeks already.

Hello, Mother Courage!

And no matter how well you think you’re doing from time to time. The term “Mother of Pity” came into my head the very first week. When I thought I was helping the boys with their schoolwork, the teacher called me to say that my son had not done his maths tests.

And although he really did do maths. Turned out that we had just found all the wrong assignments.

After this blunder, I decided to check with the boys every morning what they have to do, but that also means that I sit with them in the morning and do not get around to my own work.

I find it quite difficult at times

So I’m not complaining. Neither do my children, they are rarely bored and, to be honest, they enjoy home schooling. It’s nice and quiet at home, there are no distractions and they can relax in the meantime.

As far as they’re concerned this can go on and on.

Looking at myself, I also find this a unique time. Besides the fear of how things will turn out, I also enjoy being together. We don’t get this time anymore, the four of us at home for weeks at a time.

But sometimes I find it hard too. And giving each other a compliment is so nice, just to hear from someone else that you are doing well.

Even though I’m used to working at home

I am used to working from home, I always do, so nothing changes in that respect. Only now I’ve totally lost my day. I don’t have the rest I normally have to work.

I try to do some work in between. Taking assignments and responding to emails. Meanwhile I make sure the boys get their schoolwork done, make a healthy lunch and try to get some exercise in between.

In the evening I am exhausted and sit on the couch really paralysed. It’s not strange that I need a glass of wine. Although we have resolved to stop drinking alcohol during the week (and drink either tea or an alcohol-free mocktail).

Continuing to give compliments.

You see and read so many different stories on social media. Mothers who have it super easy and mothers who struggle. And that’s not weird.

My kids are at an age where they can entertain themselves quite well, but if you’re sitting at home with small children now, you have to admire that too, and let’s compliment each other instead of making comments.

We all do it in our own way. What is good for one person may not be for another. But we all do our best, that’s for sure!