Monday Mishaps with Mom - Deadlines and Sick Kids

This week is for those facing a deadline and the interruption of sickness in the house.

Now, many of you here know I'm an author. And that means I have deadlines for completing books. My editors don't like it too much if I'm late. Today is one of those days. I am attempting to finish the revisions on a novella, but I have had next to zero time the past 3 weeks to work on it. And when I say revisions, I mean my own edits, not those from the editor once it reaches that stage in the process.

This past weekend was awesome as my husband took care of the kids for most of the 2 days and allowed me uninterrupted time to write. But, I didn't get as far as I needed to get. And this morning, the infant only slept for 45 minutes (normally 1-1/2 to 2 hours) then decided he wanted to scream for 30 minutes. The toddler wouldn't keep her hands off him, only making his crankiness worse.

To top that off, there has been sickness and tummy issues in the house for the past 2-1/2 weeks. Both kids had it and my husband caught it as well. That meant I played nursemaid, washer woman, disinfecting queen, and chief house mother to everyone. I washed 2 loads of laundry every day, cleaned out soiled clothes and spent a lot of time cuddling or snuggling. Praise God no one got a fever, but it wasn't easy getting a toddler to eat when everything she ate came out in a rather unpleasant fashion. She simply didn't want to eat or drink anything.

So, looks like I'm in for a marathon editing session during naptime today with a ton of prayers that both kids sleep well during that time.

How about you? Have you ever been under a deadline of any kind, and your best laid plans were interrupted by the needs of your family? What happened, and how did you handle it?

Tune in next week for the next "Monday Mishap with Mom." See you then!

And you can always look at the labels at the bottom of the right column to find "monday mishaps with mom" and read up on any week you've missed. My goal is to encourage mothers who feel a bit frazzled, and to help brighten your day as you start off your week. You're not alone.

Monday Mishaps with Mom - Cereal Art & Tired Baby

This week is for those "helpful" older siblings who in their minds are doing what they can to alleviate Mom's burden, only they end up creating more work in the process.

Now, many of you here know I'm an author. And that means I have deadlines for completing books. My editors don't like it too much if I'm late. Thankfully, they allow quite a bit of time in between each deadline, but as we all know, life loves to get in the way of our best intentions. The same holds true for attempting to write a book on deadline, and even getting started early. I start out great and establish a somewhat decent routine each day. Then, a doctor's appointment, a sick kid, a teething kid, or a kid who won't sleep, interrupts that routine.

Sometimes the interruption is necessary. Sometimes, it's an imposition. And sometimes, it's downright funny...even though you need to scold the older sibling in the process.

That's what happened this week. My son was in his jumperoo, having a grand old time bouncing and playing with his toys surrounding him or hanging from the cloth bar above his head. It all seemed so peaceful, and the kids were in the playroom, playing nicely.

That should have been my first clue.

I'm in the middle of cleaning up supper when all of a sudden, I hear, "Oh no...Tori! No!" I shut off the water and rushed into the other room, almost colliding with my daughter running away from my husband. It took me a moment or two to figure out what happened. Then, I got a good look at my son. You can see it best in the picture to the right.

Yep. My daughter decided her little brother needed more to eat, so she grabbed the cereal bowl and fed him. Only she didn't get the cereal in his mouth. Instead, she painted with it all over his head and ears. I have to say, it isn't easy scolding and reprimanding one child for doing something she shouldn't be doing, when all you want to do is laugh at the comical sight. But laughing would only encourage her to do it again. So, we had to force stern faces when we spoke to her, then smile and snap pictures behind the wall, out of her view. Let's just say it's a good thing that night was bath night. Our son really needed it.

Oh, and this past weekend, I was at my desk working with my son sitting in my lap. He was playing with my arms or random paper he could reach. But after about 20 minutes, he grew very still. One moment he's content watching my type. The next, his head is down on my desk and he's fast asleep. I guess my schedule is wearing him out too. :)

Tune in next week for the next "Monday Mishap with Mom." See you then!

And you can always look at the labels at the bottom of the right column to find "monday mishaps with mom" and read up on any week you've missed. My goal is to encourage mothers who feel a bit frazzled, and to help brighten your day as you start off your week. You're not alone.