I had NO idea that retiring from my very stressful job as a school teacher would bring so much PEACE, JOY and EXHAUSTION!
I'm holding the baby in one hand, trying to do dishes so I can have a clean counter on which to make lunch, thinking about dinner (ALREADY), remembering that the kids come home from school at different times (WHO THOUGHT OF THAT?!), answering the phone, remembering that I need to call someone else (who was expecting my call 2 hours ago).
When the kids come home, it gets even worse! Clearing up the after-school mess that appears the minute kids walk in the door, answering the doorbell from the neighbor kids wanting to know if they can come in and play (IT'S TOO HOT OUTSIDE, they say), more phone calls, dinner is on the stove (burning, or getting ready to burn), neighbor lady calls to see if we can watch a child for the evening (SURE, WHY NOT?!), argument...WHO'S ARGUING!, screaming children in the basement, everyone wants my attention at once, diaper needs changing, baby screaming because he can't reach the ball HE THREW behind the chair, laundry in 3 baskets upstairs that need folded (YEP...WASHED AND DRIED, JUST NEED FOLDED...BUT WHO HAS TIME FOR THAT!), the washer just buzzed--another load ready for the dryer...clothes in the dryer, ANOTHER telephone call.
Then comes the talking!
'Yes, I am working on dinner! Yes, I know you're hungry. Yes, I understand it's hot outside, but if you go outside and play, dinner will be ready in a few minutes. No, right now is not a good time to eat a popsicle. No, I'm not going to make popcorn right now. Yes, you do have school tomorrow. No, tomorrow isn't Friday. Yes we do have church on Sunday this week. You sound frustrated about that. No, we aren't going to skip church this week. Feel free to go outside and play as soon as your room is clean. You can ask your brother and see if he wants to clean your room for you."
I SWEAR! I TALK MORE BEING A STAY-AT-HOME DAD than I EVER did as a full-time teacher!
