Just a Minute...

Actually, I'm an "in a sec" kind of girl. Or if I'm really pressed it's "just give me ONE second, will you?" I don't say this to the little one yet, since toddlers are part of a weird time-space continuum that no one seems to have figured out yet. You know, like naps are ONE SECOND and playtime is FOREVER. In my universe, that would NEVER happen. But I do say it to the husband. Because since he does everything right when I ask him (heh), then of course, I should be running my not-so-little tail off to bring him a beer. (Okay, I don't really do that - you know, the beer part - so don't get all "wtf I can't believe you do that" on me).

But hey, it's not about me today. Welcome Shannon - my special guest in need of some love. And one of the coolest homeschooling divas out there. Hello. What homeschool mom do you know that says EFFING? LOVE. IT. And I was homeschooled. So there. Anyway, here goes...

Am I the only one who says "just a minute" ALL. DAY. LONG??  Seriously, if I were ever secretly taped for some reality show, it would appear that my kids are just one big interruption. Just a minute, I'm getting coffee. Just a minute, I'm cleaning up lunch. Just a minute, I'm reading something. Just a minute, let me finish this blog post.  Am I just doing way too much? Do other Moms just sit down and play and give their kids 100% undivided attention? Because me? I am constantly multi-tasking and I feel really guilty that my kids are going to feel like they are not as important as the dishes or my effing laptop.

Well, Shannon. Personally, I have to say that if I gave my daughter 100% of undivided attention, you would probably find me in an insane asylum. Not a mental hospital. A for real asylum. And I certainly wouldn't be writing this blog. "The Mom Trap on Location at Ancora State Hospital" just doesn't have the greatest ring to it.

C'mon people. Let's hear it. I know she's not the only one. But make her a believer.

If you've got an "Am I the Only One...," email to me and if I use it, I'll send you a fantastic, totally rad Clubmom waterbottle. You'll just have to supply the contents.

Comments

[Kris H.]

I had to laugh at this, cause my husband and I both say "hold on" (me) or "hold on a minute" (him) all day long...constantly!

We are so bad about it, that one of my sons (now 4) first sentences was, "Hode on...2 minutes!". (Guess he needs a bit more time that Daddy.)

I didn't realize until he said that how often we say hold on, but I notice now (though I can't seem to stop!). I have even caught myself saying hold on as I am getting up to do whatever I have been asked to do...it is like a reflex.

I am trying to be better, but I gotta say that no matter what I say, my kids know that they are loved and that they are my priority. After all, most of the time I say it cause I am in the middle of doing something FOR THEM or for the betterment (is that a word?) of the house.

[mothergoosemouse]

I have noticed that "in a minute" has started to come back to bite me. I ask Tacy to do something, and she responds, "In a minute!"

[mamatulip]

Good grief, no, you're not the only one. *Sigh*

[FishyGirl]

I have 3 kids under the age of 7 - oh yeah, I say "in a minute" or "just a second" all the time. Hello - there are 3 of them, one of me. It's worse when DH is home, too. My favorite response? "How many moms am I?" They say one. "And how many kids are there?" They get the picture - even the 2 year old. If I paid 100% undivided attention to them (like DH wants me to) they'd have to lock me up in St. Elizabeth's with Hinckley. Please.

[Sheri]

Hold on ONE minute, and I'll let you know you're definitely not the only one.

[Elleana]

I say, "Just a minute" all the time. And my daughter has taken to saying, "Just a minute takes a long time!" But it always seems as if I have too many things to do, and I guess I really do. I've got 2 kids, and I babysit 2 more kids. EVERYTHING I do is multi-tasking. There really isn't any other way to get everything (or, heck, even just the basics) done without doing more than one thing at a time. I've got a constant backlog of requests from the kids at any given time.

[ShrinkingMom]

I personally believe in benign neglect. So far, so good. (The oldest kids are 13 and they seem to be developing normally.)

That's why I had more than one kid--so THEY could play together. Not me. I do laundry. I don't play.

(I sound like an ogre.)

[Daren]

I have one baby. ONE! And I'm constantly telling her "Hang on a sec, momma's coming." Constantly. No, you're definately not the only one.

[sandy]

Been there. Done that.

My preschooler started watching the clock and telling me when a minute was up. We've now graduated to "I need five minutes. Got it? Five."

This works for now because before he counts out the clock changing five times, he's gotten distracted. Typically, however, he returns in short order yelling, "Mom! You've been on that work email for an hour!" (Which is rarely true, but I get his point.)

[Kelly]

Oh heck no! I'm a "hold on" kinda girl, and I'm just waiting for the moment my toddler starts saying it back. "Mommy will be *right* back" is next on the list, but he's so used to that and the closing door behind me that he's never freaked out about me leaving the house without him since, obviously, I'm just going to pee. ;)