In Less than an Hour

In a trip to a local park with some other Mommies, my 2 year old needed to potty twice and my 3 year old needed to potty twice.  Yes, folks, I took my children to the bathroom FOUR TIMES in less than one hour. 

My husband has asked me a few times why I don't take my four children to the park very often.  Oh, I have my reasons. 

Reason #1:  We live in Western Washington.  The sun only shines here 2 1/2 months of the year.  So even if it was a good day for us to go to the park schedule-wise, the weather is likely to be cold and wet.  This is why we bought a house with a fenced-in yard. 

Reason #2:  Contrary to popular opinion, parks were not built for kids.  They were built for Mommies who need adult interaction.  My children are all young and I spend a lot of time keeping track of them.  If I'm helping them on toys and to and from the bathroom, how can I talk to other Mommies? 

Reason #3 (and this is the most important reason): I know my limits.  I know that if we get up, get breakfast, get dressed, get out the door, get to the park, get back in the car, get home, get lunch,  and get ready for naps(and then repeatedly enforce mandatory nap time), that I'm a little twitchy at the end of that.  My nerves are shot and I don't have enough energy left for maintaining sanitary conditions at my house and cooking a mostly healthy meal for my family.  I have to balance what is fun for them and what I am capable of.  When I had gainful employment, I knew no limits.  I could do it all.  But I could do it all in a realm I was really good at - bookkeeping.  I'm not really good at brain surgery and I'm not very good at getting four under four out the door and back again without losing my wherewithal.  We'll go to the park every once in a while... when I have help... and someone else is responsible for dinner.