I just had an Aha! moment. About a half hour ago, I returned home from taking a walk with my son. As usual, he was riding in his back carrier. No stroller rides for this boy, he knows what he likes, and what he likes is to ride on Mom or Dad’s back when we go out walking. Today, he was asleep when we returned home and I did not want to cut his nap short. As I walked into the house, it dawned on me that I could do some things around the house while he was contentedly napping on my back.
It was such a simple, common-sense idea. Why hadn’t I thought of it before? When he was smaller and less wriggly, I did the dishes, cooked dinner, and worked on the computer all while he was snuggled in a baby sling. I still wear him in the sling when we are out and about. We both enjoy the closeness and safety that babywearing provides and I feel like he learns a lot from being up close and personal with whatever I’m doing.
As he got bigger and became able to reach out of the sling and attempt to dive into the sink or try to “type” on the computer, I realized that the sling was no longer useful for those tasks. I relegated much of my chores and work to his nap times and after he goes to bed at night. My productivity declined in all areas and I was feeling sad and frustrated because I could not seem to balance everything that I wanted to have in my life. Was it really too much to ask that I could be able to parent my son how I want to parent him, keep a tidy home, and work from home? Surely, there had to be a way to make it all work.
How could I have missed the simple and obvious solution that was hanging up by the door? I really do not know, but I am so happy right now. I am standing in front of the computer and typing a blog post while my boy is looking over my shoulder and babbling away. He is having a good time, and I am getting work done. Right now, at least, it seems as though I can have it all.