Thursday, July 03, 2008

The problem with freedom

So here's the deal with camp:

1. Henry loves it. So far so good. He's even been exceptionally pleasant on the day that he stayed home with me and Lucy went.

2. Lucy does not know her own limits. When I have picked her up each day she has been red-faced and glistening with sweat -- and today they didn't even play outside. Then when I get her home she is a whiny little monster.

3. Lucy's pickiness means that she doesn't eat much while she is there. I'm trying adopt a laissez-faire attitude by telling myself that maybe this will broaden her horizons. Not bloody likely.

Also the center is nut-free, which is great except the mainstays of Lucy's diet are: Nutella, Peanut butter and Honey sandwiches, and a mix of cashews and almonds in a bowl, so it's not like I can offer to send in her favorite snack.

4. The two days this week when I had the house to myself were ultimately exhausting because I was busy without interruption. That's right. No kids, no reason to take a breath. And much like my own daughter I'm pretty cranky around 4 p.m. But I can't just sleep the whole time they are gone, can I?

Hopefully Lucy and I will adjust. But next week we're going to have the ceiling ripped out of our kitchen, and I'm sure none of us will cope well with that.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Would Lucy eat sunflower seed butter? It's very yummy although you might have to include a note to assure them it's not peanut butter. Also, my former daycare provider said some kids (like CJ) just seem to get really flushed and hot in the summer and she recommended dressing him in light colors. (Too bad navy is my favorite color.) And now to go look at your blogroll...

Anne said...

Oh, you can definitely sleep all day while they're gone, if you want to! It's been how many years now since you've had a day to yourself? You deserve it!!

Also ... don't give in to the hype about nut-free. Send Lucy the food she likes and will eat so she isn't going hungry. Why should *your* child have to suffer?

People are WAY too paranoid about that peanut shit these days, and acquiescing to the paranoia just reinforces their behavior. Why should your child go hungry all day because of the uptight nut-Nazis?

P.S. Why are you getting the ceiling ripped out of your kitchen?

Lumpyheadsmom said...

What the hell is going on with your kitchen?

Jen14221 said...

I think there is NOTHING wrong with sleeping the whole time (or at least most of the time) they are gone. You've got to figure that you're about 6 years behind on getting enough sleep. Hosework can wait, dammit.

Auntly H said...

I'm with Jen. Leave the housework until H&L can/will help.

good luck with the ceiling work. I hope it doesn't lead to a bigger project....