Parenthood may be fun and exciting and a never-ending adventure but spontaneous, it's not. Even leaving the house—something that once involved grabbing your purse and going—becomes a ten-minute ordeal of getting the kids bundled up, making sure you have the kiddie accessories you need (diapers, wipes, snacks, Epi-Pen, toys, juice boxes), strapping them into their car seats, running back into the house because you forgot their favorite DVD/doll/purple object.
Life can feel like the opposite of spontaneous when you have a kid with special needs, because things take extra planning. Like figuring out whether the place you're going is amenable/accessible to your child. Revolving your schedule around your child's feedings. Revolving your schedule around your child's therapies. Revolving your schedule around your child's...schedule.
Sure, sometimes on weekend we'll spontaneously go somewhere with the kids. And there are bursts of spontaneous fun, like making up silly songs or games. But I miss being able to pick up and go whenever, says this overscheduled mom.
Last night, for the first time in a while, Dave and I did something spontaneous. OK, we didn't fly to Vegas or get "Max and Sabrina forever" tattoos on our chests; we decided to get a babysitter and see a movie. On a school night. G-A-S-P!
We had cabin fever. The sitter was free. So we headed out to see Shutter Island. That movie was strange, let me just say, but it didn't matter.
We felt like two kids who'd snuck out.
It was awesome.
What's the last spontaneous thing you guys have done?
Photo by Guy Fawkes
Spontaneous? I'm confused. What is that again?
ReplyDeleteThe last spontaneous thing I did was go shopping with a girlfriend.
I used to be spontaneous in a former life. If I tried to do that now I would create a rift in the time-space continuum. I would not know how to fix that. I am sure it would take more than a glue stick. So I had better keep playing it safe.
ReplyDeleteSpontaneous, not sure that is a possibility in our life these days.
ReplyDeleteI'm in a rut, I admit it! Spontaneous to me is deciding to cook rice for supper at the last minute, instead of potatoes!
ReplyDeleteWish I could remember ... it has seriously been THAT long!!!Glad however,that you made it out.How about i live vicariously through you?
ReplyDeleteWe tried taking a spontaneous stroll as a family the other day. It *looked* nice outside, but we only lasted about 2 minutes because it was actually freezing! We ended up inside playing the wii. Does that count? lol!
ReplyDeleteThe last spontaneous thing? I really can't recall, which reinforces your point that we should make more of an effort:) BTW, my little fella tried to say 'purple' this morning and guess who I thought of? Yep Max:) Jen.
ReplyDeleteMy husband took the day off on Tuesday and we went to a movie and then went shopping. It felt wonderful, just like you said, two kids who had snuck out!
ReplyDeleteI have forgotten what that means, Ellen! We used to be spontaneous way back when. We are planning to go to a Train concert in two weeks and leave Faith with my SIL, does that count as spontaneous? LOL! Seriously, it will take two weeks just to plan out all the details, though.
ReplyDeleteI just recently started a Thursday night Medical Coding class. That for me is some spontaneous fun!! lol (sad, I know) Before starting the class, I can't remember the last time I got out without the kids. I raise them by myself, no babysitters, and my parents can't really handle my kids, so I'm usually with them 24/7. However, since I'm doing the education thing, my parents are making it work. Thank God!! Now I look forward to Thursdays.
ReplyDeleteYeah. Right there. What Ellen said.
ReplyDeleteAmen, sister.
Spontaneous? We can't pull any unplanned, non discussed, clear out of the blue changes, with our son.
Heeeeeeck, no! But that's alright, we truly do like each other, and being around each other... so we;ll do just insane things at home like fold laundry, and unload the dishwasher. Madcap fun like that.
Thanks for the post, Ellen, so very true.
Alexandra
I am thinking and thinking and I've got nothing! I cannot remember the last time I did something spontaneous. I am not sure I remember how!
ReplyDelete2 weeks ago...on a Tuesday... I got a baby sitter!!!!! We went to dinner & saw Valentine's Day. We hadn't been out in months. It was AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I met up for lunch Monday afternoon. He didn't have much time, but being kid-free for 45 minutes was refreshing!
ReplyDeleteDid you mean Shutter Island???
ReplyDeleteAck, yes. Shutter Island. I think this midnight posting thing doesn't always work for me, ya know?
ReplyDeleteOK, so we're not so spontaneous anymore. But we're still pretty cool.
We danced in the snow! We are in TX and we got about 14 in. which is rare. We had no power and the kids were going crazy, but we DANCED! It was fabulous!!
ReplyDelete