March 10, 2008 | parenthood
I’ll admit that most of the time I’m quite proud of myself. You know, what with having a toddler at home with me except for twelve hours a week, and having a husband who goes away for weeks at a time, and having no relatives in the country, and still producing a 85- to 90,000-word book every six months, and doing all the editing and publicity and teaching that goes with that. I know other people who write more with more children, but I know people who write a lot less with no children, so I figure I’m doing okay.
Then there are days like today. When Fecklet woke up at 4 am and didn’t go down for a nap until 9, and then only for 45 minutes. When he fussed and cried and cried and fussed for no discernible reason and needed to be held and carried. When he refused to sit in the trolley in the supermarket and insisted on running around the aisles trying to knock things down. When the slightest difficulty plunged him into tears, and I wrote exactly two paragraphs which I will have to delete.
I think it’s teething. But it doesn’t really matter what it is: it’s shown me the truth, which is that I only write by the grace granted me by my child, and that if my son hadn’t been born cheerful, laid back and healthy, my career would be toast.
Jan Jones says:
But it would be really, really good toast. The sort they only sell in extremely upmarket delis. The sort you put the very best pate on.
Btw, have you tried mini ice lollies for the teething? How fast can you type in the five minutes of bliss they provide?
(((hugs)))
Ro's M&B-reading Friend says:
Aaaww… sympathy to you, although my little bundle of joy is now a hulking great 6 footer, even at 15!! They grow up soooooo fast, so enjoy it, tears and all!
You’re right about the writing bit, though - most of my unwritten book/s are floating around in my head, and at the rate I am going, that’s where they are going to stay!!
liz says:
(((())))S.
Frozen bagels (cin raisin ones) worked wonders with my while they were teething.
I didn’t even try and write when my lot were little so you are doing absolutely brilliantly!!!
MichelleStyles says:
Let’s see. I did not write seriously while mine were little.
It does sound like teeth or being under the weather. How are his ears?
In any case, children are allowed to have bad days.
And they do grow quickly. My youngest is now taller than I am, and to his great joy, he discovered that he is taller than his sister…Apparently he has four more inches to go to reach his father and then, his great ambition will beckon — being taller than his brother. Or failing that being able to toss him over a piano.
Kate Hardy says:
Hugs, Julie. We all have days like that. Best thing is, some of your writing mates have gone through it so they can reassure you that it’s completely normal, that it isn’t going to be like this all the time, and other days you’ll get loads of writing done and spend the rest of the time having a lot of fun with your littlie.
They do indeed grow fast. My eldest, if he stands on the bottom step of our staircase, is taller than I am. Every so often if he’s standing next to me he gently rises on tiptoe and grins at me. I foresee the day coming very soon where he insists on daily height checks so he can savour the exact moment of being taller than I am.
LOL, Michelle, on your youngest’s ambition! Mine will probably just sulk and go write a song and play her guitar loudly.
Nell Dixon says:
Hugs, chunky cucumber sticks are good for teething too, along with the bonjela/calpol. I think there should be a saint Calpol. I reckon parents all over the world would agree. lol
Lucy Diamond says:
Oh yes, been there. Some days are just like that. I hope you’re having a better one today. (And you are doing brilliantly the rest of the time by the sound of it!)
Julie says:
Thank you Jan, Friend, Liz, Michelle, Kate, Nell, and Lucy. And thank you for reminding me that it all goes so quickly (though I must admit I’d hoped yesterday would go by faster).
LOL Michelle at your youngest tossing his brother over a piano. I have a feeling there’s a story behind that. And Kate’s son being taller when on a step!
Fecklet is indeed teething–he has at least three molars beginning to poke through, and who knows what else under the surface. Ice lollies and frozen bagels sound good. He is off cucumber at the moment, though I’ll try it in chunks instead of slices.
And yes, Nell, I agree with beatifying St. Calpol.
Anyway Fecklet is at his child minder this afternoon so I’m hoping to write like the wind.
Mary says:
Julie,
I hope your little one is feeling much better. Not sure if Hyland’s products are available where you live, but they have Teething Tablets that were a lifesaver for us when my little ones were teething. They are tiny and dissolve almost instantly in little ones’ mouths. They calmed them so well I was tempted to pop a few in my own mouth.
You can read about them at http://hylands.com/products/teething.php
Best wishes,
Mary
Julie says:
I use something very similar, Mary, rather splendidly called Ashtons and Parsons Infants’ Powders. I popped by your blog and enjoyed your stories about your little ones.
Turns out he’s not only teething, but he has some sort of virus that gives him a slight intermittent fever, and spots all over his body. Nothing serious, says the doctor, but uncomfortable. So today he is home with me, having cuddles.
Mary says:
Julie,
So glad you enjoyed my stories. I started typing up these little moments so when they are all grown up and have flown the nest, I can read about my daughter’s obsession with all things fairy and my son’s clever philosphies on absolutely everything.
I hope your little darling feels better very soon. Enjoy the cuddles.