The joy of parenting two sons has always been a blessing ……of which I am grateful, and also a lot of work. I have talked of them many times and I will continue to do this as my life still revolves around them and that’s ok. This point in time however, is even more exhausting than I expected. I have 2 on L plates……..Apparently there is a family here with triplets so I don’t envy them at all.
So my eldest is 18 and wasn’t interested in getting his L’s. If he thinks he mightn’t pass or excel he won’t try – so he didn’t try and nothing could persuade him otherwise. My youngest is 16 and has been champing at the bit for at least a year to get in the drivers seat. So now, they both, at the same time, need to drive 100 hours to get their P’s. The eldest is actually close to his and he should have his P’s in another month …..or three.
To all who have gone before me I commend you. You know the stress and angst that is involved and how hard it is to reach 100 hours if you live 2 minutes from school and 2 minutes from your football club. So our days start an hour earlier so we can ‘drive’ for a bit. Of course as per our lead photo there are things which make it even more stressful when you either have to go 10 km per hour or overtake into oncoming traffic as happened yesterday morning.
So an example of just one day this week. The eldest son started at 6.30 so I am up at 6, making their lunch as I have to make mine too so I do them all. He is having a gap year…I think its only a gap year….so is working at my favourite vegetable shop which I rave about. So, he drove the 15 minutes there. On the way back I grabbed some pantry groceries at IGA at 6.45. I raced home – within the speed limit as I only have one point left – and made a big fruit salad and the slow cooker cashew chicken dish I just posted on our website. I grabbed a cuppa and we took off for a 45 minute drive and made it to school at about 8.30. Stressed to the max from the journey, I joined the queue of people trying to get through the Sippy Downs exit (always a nightmare) and made it home at 8.45. I sat and had my oats and fruit – breathing heavy and trying to calm down.
10 minutes later I had to jump up, have a shower, get dressed and get off to work. I took my half hour break to collect one son from work at 3pm and he drove home. Back to work till 5. I was supposed to go to a function at 5.30 with “Food Matters” – amazing foodies, but one son has basketball, one son has rugby so that’s not happening. Eldest grabbed a lift to training and back in the end. (thank you) Youngest son grabs the key and we go to footy. Drop him off. Back home about 20 minutes – no-one else home – argh – just need to sit – made a cuppa, phone rings – training cancelled -only 3 turn up -can you pick me up.
When I arrive, we are taking another boy home, which is fabulous truly, I am always happy to take any of the boys friends anywhere, and mine often grab lifts, its what you do, but today? So we take a 30 minute detour from the footy fields next door to another suburb for the drop off, and then we are nearly home – I am nearly BURSTING with anxiety by this stage – I just wanted to GET HOME when he changes course and goes the long way – well I nearly exploded. He quickly turned when he knew I was going to jump out of the car.
Finally home. Dinner was prepared this morning so that was a treat. They wanted more…..so they are getting another batch tonight – bigger than last night, and I hope it’s as good.
I’ve managed to put all my crazy mother behaviour back in the cupboard which they’ll be pleased to discover when we do it all again this afternoon. I have had the day off and its been gorgeous so I have once again become centred and calm. Till we go again. Have a great week. Lee
