by JAYNE MOLONEY
It’s Saturday night at 8.30pm and I’m tucked up in my bed.
Laptop? Check.
Electric blanket? Check.
Cup of tea on my bedside table? Check.
10 years ago, this type of Saturday night behaviour would have only been acceptable if I had pulled an all-nighter the night before, and even then, there would have been an expectation to “back up”. It really doesn’t seem like that long ago, but I guess a lot can happen in 10 years.
There are a few mild differences that I’ve noticed between my life then and now;
My coffee tasted slightly different in the old days – it was HOT.
I used to just sit down, and eat my dinner– and not have to negotiate with anyone else to eat theirs.
I used to just mind my own “business” (literally) – as crazy as some of those nights were, there was never a need to wipe anyone else’s bum.
Silence was golden – now it means that something, somewhere in my house is about to be broken.
The feeling of euphoria that I used to feel when dancing upon a podium after 15 drinks, I now get when I hear my vacuum suck up a piece of lego.
Sleeping in was something that I took for granted in my previous nocturnal life with a motto of “party all night and sleep all day”. Now, on the rare chance that I get to go out and shake my groove thang, I find myself in a pit of regret by about 6am when my eyes are pried open by chubby 3 year old fingers, ready to endure the longest day of my life and pay for all of my sins.
I used to sing in the car at the top of my lungs, and I still do – although now it comes with complaints from the back seat about how bad my voice is (it just makes me stronger).
Top Comments
A very happy mother of a 15 yr old ( going through the process of choosing subjects for year 11, hard when she has no clue what she wants to do for the future) & 18 yr old ( doing VCE) it is a very stressful time with both at secondary school. Miss the simple pleasures of when they were at kinder and primary school. Don't wish your toddlers to grow up fast enjoy those simple days and times as little ones. I used to be like that, couldn't wait for them to be grown up. Conversation is different sometimes ends up in a argument with the 18 yr old thinking he is right and mum is wrong as usual. Now I'm asking if they would Like to come to the supermarket with me for company. How's that.
Love your writing and even though my children are much older than yours I can relate to your life....thanks.