Mama Says

5:01 a.m.  Hazel stirs. Nurse and snooze.
 
6:01 a.m.  Other breast.
 
6:52 a.m.  Jaden up.
 
7:00 a.m.  Josh up. Hazel waving feet in the air and farting.
 
8:20 a.m.  Breakfast done. Already feel overwhelmed. Dad took my car to get inspected today so I won’t be able to make Hazel’s well-baby appointment this morning. I forgot she about it when I told Dad he could take the car and now I’m so glad. I really didn’t want to go.
 
9:45 a.m.  Ruby is at school, Jaden is with my Mom, and Hazel is fighting her morning nap so I’ve got her in the sling. Start a fire, some lunch, get dinner out of the freezer, feeling like it’s a rather dull day to record. Jaden got invited to his first birthday party. “I hope they have cake there,” he says.
 
9:52 a.m.  Hazel falls asleep in sling. I put music on and make blueberry muffins. Wondering when I’m going to cave to coffee.

1:30 p.m.  No coffee yet but I’m sensing the time is near. This is the time of day when I start counting the hours until Josh is home. I vacillate between feeling grateful and happy to be home with Hazel, to feeling stuck, like I’m trying to run in water. Hazel is almost always in arms, and my mobility is truly limited.
 
My muffins came out just so-so. I feel sheepish about spending my time on such mundane tasks as kitchen cleanliness, laundry, and all the rest of the messy house. I am not at all conflicted about staying at home when I tickle Hazel and see the look in her eyes--then I know exactly what I’m doing. I wouldn’t make another choice, but still I see myself as lame sometimes, even though I know better. I’m not supposed to, but I am looking forward to the baby years being done.
 
6:35 p.m.  Took a nap with Hazel. Kids came home from school. Went grocery shopping to escape. Came home and made cardboard box shelves for Jaden’s closet “garage” and put dinner together. The kids are now bonkers. It’s too many hours in the day that I’m doing this. I wonder why we had kids. I wonder how I can find some balance in caring for them. (I was so cranky, disgusted, and plain old mad as hell to bother with writing anymore for the evening. By the end of the night I was so fried and felt such a lack of freedom that I felt like I wanted to beat something with my fists. I didn’t. I was crabby, complained, and went to bed.)
 
To read more about a mama's day in the life, pick up a copy of Mama Says Zine or subscribe to the zine!

Michelle A.L. Singer is a mom of three living in East Montpelier who spends half her time deeply grateful for the many gifts of her life and the other half trying to keep her wits about her. Theoretically she is also a writer. She is currently taking lessons from her husband in keeping a sense of humor.

Slept 12 hours last night. Have not done that in months. Or so I assume.  Don’t feel awake today, despite the long slumber. Not all the coffee in the world could help. Not feeling particularly well and might have to stick close to home today.

I dreamt of bears last night.  This particular animal has never made an appearance in my dreams. Two black bear cubs were checking us out, running around the edge of a compound in the middle of the forest. No mama bear--just cubs.  It was obvious (in the dream) that they should be with their mother. They were young enough to still be with their mother, but old enough to cause some serious damage if provoked. We were wary, but not scared.

Listening to one of the sexiest songs ever: Santana’s Toussaint L’Overture.  Also, have been listening to Alicia Keys’ new album Element of Freedom.  It’s been on repeat today. Does anyone even say “album” these days?

Finally, coffee. I’ve had enough to fuel an army, and still, I am groggy. Blah.  But oh happy day! My long awaited package came! The one containing the Mominatrix book and a book by Marsden Wagner: Born In the USA.

My daughter Cat sings along to the Max and Ruby song loud enough to shatter glass. Or an eardrum.  She starts taking off her shirt in the house. I say-keep it on, it’s cold. She says-I can’t, I have sand in my pits. Me-How did that happen? Her-The sand fairy.  Of course.

On days like these, I daydream of tropical places. Beaches, warmth, sun. NO SNOW. Anywhere that is warm and doesn’t have snow that can be measured in feet. Or inches, even.

Made lamb stew. Turned out pretty tasty.

To read more about a mama's day in the life, pick up a copy of Mama Says Zine or subscribe to the zine!

Kris Underwood is a mother/writer/poet. She currently holds the position of Managing Editor and Columnist (Mama Writes) at MaMaZina Magazine. She also blogs at The Imperfect Parent occasionally, thus the Mominatrix reference. Someday, she'd like to rise to the challenge of writing only Form Poems.

Mothers advocate to children every day. We encourage our children to admire wildflowers - not pick them - then talk about protecting the earth. We show children how to plant seeds in the garden, then cook together and connect the source of our food. We dedicate time and nurturing early on in our children’s lives, then teach them how to play well and model how to care for others.

Mothers advocate to community members every day. We volunteer in schools to build playgrounds or chaperone field trips to support teachers in providing a quality learning experience. We make suggestions to merchants so they can be kid-friendly. We donate money or time to a good cause or a family in need.

Mothers advocate to policymakers every day. We write letters to the editor so neighbors know what we care about. We call legislators when a bill or a budget would be good or bad for kids and families. We ask employers for flexibility in work schedules or doctors for the information we need to make health care decisions. We go to forums and read newspapers to learn about issues, then we vote.

Because of the collective actions of mothers and fathers, Vermont is - in many ways – an idyllic place to live and raise a family. Vermonters have shown how much they value things that are hard to attach a dollar figure to: close-knit communities, health and wellness, a culture of giving, wild and working landscapes, and continued learning opportunities for children and parents. Vermonters have always invested in their future.

Kelly Ault
Kids Are Priority One
(find out more by clicking on our Advocacy Page)