Peace and Quiet is Underrated
January 26 2010 Some mornings just don’t seem like they’re worth getting out of bed for.
I begrudgingly trudge out of sleep already battling a migraine, with Abby in tow. Buzz wakes up with a pitiful burst shortly after. I turn the television channel to the last few minutes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in an effort for peace, an extra second to rub my eyes open, and that’s when Jedi stumbles groggily out of his room. He notices that it’s the end, however, so the tears and whine flow before even a good morning.
“You haven’t wanted to watch Mickey Mouse in a long time, Jedi”, I remind him.
“But I wanted to watch it TODAY!”, he stammers in the midst of a fit.
Of course you did. Because you’re 6 and everything has to be difficult.
“Bring Mickey Mouse back NOW!”, he demands. Ignorance is bliss at this point.
He finally calms down, before everybody else starts up. Buzz screams at Abby and Abby screams at Buzz. Over toys, over books, over a breakfast muffin, over a spot on the chair, over oxygen in the air. Abby throws a toy at Jedi, and he joins in again. “You should punish her!”, he bellows my way behind still-tired cries. “Don’t throw things at your brother”, I sternly offer, as her face melts into an angry pout.
When I think back to my life pre-children, what strikes me most is how quiet it was. Now, there’s so much noise radiating from the walls at all hours of the day. Even before 9 a.m. Which leaves me wondering, is it time to go back to bed yet?
12 Responses
on January 26 2010
Oh I understand. I have days like this all the time, like yesterday. And I wrote about mine this morning too. Hopefully you get some quiet time today – naps? School? And it’s one day closer to the weekend – hurrah!
.-= christy´s latest blog post: And this and that… =-.
on January 26 2010
You know, I only have one child at home and it’s still a constant barrage of noise here. After I get her off to school, I sometimes just like to sit in the quiet and take it all in. Other times, I find myself really missing the noise when she’s not here and have to turn on music just to fill up the “space.”
on January 26th, 2010
@Karen, See, that’s the thing. I know I’ll miss all the noise once it’s gone.
on January 26 2010
I know how it goes.
My son goes to school during the day but my two year old makes up for his absence, that’s for sure.
.-= Amber´s latest blog post: The H&R Block Debacle =-.
on January 26 2010
It’s true … I seem to have very sensitive hearing (always have) and frequently it’s the NOISE that gets to me. That is one huge reason why I almost never allow the TV to be on while the kids are awake. I will occasionally use it out of desperation to distract them, and I have no moral qualms about it rotting their brains, but I just HATE the noise. I dearly love me some peace and quiet.
on January 26th, 2010
@jesser, Unfortunately, the TV is on here all the time for background noise of all things, like we need it. I turn the volume down low as much as possible. (I know, why not just turn the thing off, right?! I blame growing up in a house of TV addicts.)
on January 26 2010
I totally agree… I miss the quiet so much. And reading an entire newspaper! With no interruptions! I guess that will happen again in about 18 years.
on January 26th, 2010
@natalie, I’m so used to reading the news online now. Mostly because of all the little hands all over the paper as I’m trying to read, I don’t get very far.
on January 27 2010
Oh, I know, and I think the same thing too, when Julia’s whining about me brushing her hair and Oliver is screaming at Julia while finger painting on the bathroom counter with the toothpaste and I have JUST WOKEN UP, GODDAMMIT: One day, I’ll miss this noise.
.-= mamatulip´s latest blog post: Love/Hate =-.
on January 27 2010
I’m always quoting Dr. Seuss. “All the noise, noise, noise, NOISE!!”
on February 01 2010
Oh…I struggle with this daily. I know I will miss this when they are older but in the meantime, I might be going a little crazy. I’m not really sure I even know what peace and quiet is anymore? What on earth would I do with it if I had it? I think I could probably come up with something…
.-= Natalie at Mommy on Fire´s latest blog post: Mmm Monday: Autumn Soup and Yum-O Birthday Cake =-.
on February 1st, 2010
@Natalie at Mommy on Fire, I’m pretty sure I would use the first hour or so of the quiet to sleep. After that, I’d probably go crazy.