Being away from the children for nine days broke something. In a good way. It opened a door and gave us a glimpse on a life, a life of a couple that we used to know, a life that is coming back as they get older, grow up and one day fly the nest.
I feel like we have packed up that part of our lives that contained baby buggies and nappies and sleepless nights and cracked nipples. Mushy food and 24/7 on call. LIke childbirth, the memory fadesm and I'm left with I know I have even mostly fotgot what it was actually like in the Breeding years, because I look back on those days so fondly. A tropical holiday reminded me how quiet and peaceful the house will be one day. And it reminded me to enjoy the chaos while it lasts. For although we have packed away the baby paraphernalia, we are by no means out of the kids at home zone, and as they grow a new set of challenges emerge.
Challenges like, managing the addiction behaviour of a 6year old to computer games? Encouraging creativity and independent thought? Keeping them safe as they gradually spend less time under my wing and gaze, and more time in the public arena. (Luckily on holiday i could temper these tricky questions with a few mai-tais from the poolside bar)
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the team of super-nannies (grandmother, nieces, aunts uncles and 1 dog) all played tag team to keep the wheels turning. I felt a little impressed by the size of the instruction booklet I left - wow, when you write it all down I do have a busy job.
Big Brother had let his sister come into bed with him if she got sad at night.
They had drawn a beautiful and detailed Welcome Home poster.
The reunion was epic, loud and emotional.
I thanked Big Brother for his prayers, praying I didn't get eaten by a shark over there (and reassured him it is more likely to be donked by a falling coconut than chomped by a shark)
We are back in the zone, and the break seems like a fabulous dream. Back in daily life I am trying not to grump, but go with it, gladly giving away my peace and personal space for just a few more years.