Another lesson I've (re)learnt from my children

Because I travel quite a bit for my 'work' (well, who can call it work when you love it so much?) my children are used to me being away. A day here and there isn't too bad for them. And to be fair, they've grown up with Andy traveling for much longer times. 

But this year, I've done two big trips of two weeks away from them. One in August and the one just recently. 

August was ok. They knew what was going on,  they accepted it. But this last trip. Not so much. We really missed each other. 

And when I got home I paid for it.

In this instance, I call it the cummulative affect. It wasn't just the 2.5 weeks I'd been gone this time, but also the trip in August. It added up. 

The last few days things have gotten back to normal, and that's because my 2.5 weeks is up. 

And this is where I relearnt how much a Mum means to her children. The time length this time was so much more than normal, that it really showed up what happens each time I travel..... let me explain....

Previously I'd noticed it with Andy, but not with me. And this time, I realised what happens. It's like they put you in punishment subconciously. 

I don't even think they know they are doing it. But they are. And in our family it works especially for the littlier children. The smaller they are, the more apparent this will be.

They play up, they refuse to hug you, they talk back, they do anything they can to get your attention (and that's not always good) in effect, they call the shots to show you they are there. It's their way to 'punish' you for being away so long. 

And the funny thing is it lasts about the same amount of time you've 'abandoned' them. I don't know how they work that out, it must be some sort of internal clock???? But it is almost always to the day for how long you were gone.

This week, I have been home 2.5 weeks, and this week Dan started being the 'normal' Dan I know, not the 'monster' he'd become for the last 2.5 weeks. I arrived home and thought an alien had taken over his body. But now I remember, I realise that actually he missed me. Really missed me. In his own little way he was telling me that he didn't like being left for so long.

Amazing isn't it?

And so once again on this amazing journey of motherhood, I learn something new, relearn something old and tweak the way I think/act to help my children, my family grow into the little citizins/group of people I hope they/we will one day/continue to grow into.

 

Comments

[Topkatnz]

So will this affect your travel decisions/comittments in the future?

[Judy]

You can't help but laugh at their craftiness!

[mandyb]

oh gosh how hard!!!
glad it is sorta back to normal!!!
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