Jessica sat hands wrapped around her warm comforting mug of tea, wearily curled up in her recliner. Her day had been busy even though she had felt like a mouse in a laboratory experiment finding dead ends. She sat, pulling her warm blue blanket around her and reflected on her day.

From the long queue in the bank to finding a shopping trolley with a wonky wheel. To the phone call from school to collect Jacob as he had vomited in class and then the heavy Friday traffic. Her day should have been so much better.

A day off from work should be a good day. The obligations of running a home and children is far away from what Jessica had imagined it to be.  Years ago, before family a day off had meant not getting dressed and being able to watch television all day. Her money had been her own, there was no one else depending on her for clothes and food. Life before Michael and kids felt along time ago now.  She would not go back but she sometimes longed for the inner peace that she had once had.

The picture that a young woman has of being a mum is far away from the reality of it. A cute baby with warm soft skin. Adorable and always good for mummy. The sleepless nights, the arguments, the breast feeding and the stress, mum lives it all. Dad seems to have more of a choice but, then dad can’t breast feed so why should he get up in the night, that is what Michael had said anyway. Then the cloth nappies and little clothes and then once outgrown, do we sell the clothes or give them away?  Jessica had boxes that were just not selling, ever frugal she was reluctant to give them all to charity despite knowing that she really should.

Collecting Janie had been interesting as the school were not happy to see Jacob back. What choice did she have? Michael was at work and her parents were busy, so she had to take him with her. She was really hoping for no more sickness as she could not afford to not be at work on Monday.

Returning home had then meant demands for food. Jacob went back to bed so that was one child down but Janie was like feeding a bottomless pit, where did she get her appetite from?

After eating four pieces of toast and of course leaving all the crusts, they sat down to study the homework. Janie needed to draw a pirate ship.  Being 5 and easily distracted this was not an easy task for Janie. Sitting there with her pencil she began to scribble. Jessica watched frustrated, what her child had drawn was not a pirate ship, it was completely unrecognisable. She sat there and thought well we can either hand it in as a few lines or she could redraw it.

Mum too often comes to the rescue. As protective mummy bear she found it hard to watch her child struggle. She decided that her teacher would realise that mum had helped and was certain that she was not the only helicopter parent in the class. The ship was soon drawn and they had both coloured it in, homework completed.

The day was not over yet. Jacob now woke up crying and there was sick all over his bedding, meanwhile Janie still wanted her attention. Ignoring her cries she leapt up the stairs to her son and was soon remaking his bed. The bowl that she had given him to be sick in was empty, the fun and the joy of having children. Mopping up Jacob, consoling him and reminding him to use the bowl she then when back downstairs.

Downstairs she found Janie climbing up the kitchen cupboards wanting a drink. The child will not just wait for help, no she has to do it herself. Once she had made her a drink it was then the wrong one, why can’t she just be happy with what she has been given? Jessica thought.

She then rinsed the sick covered bedding and put it in the washing machine, relieved that Friday was almost over and tomorrow was the weekend. She sat planning it in her head, with Jacob being unwell maybe the weekend will be easier as long as he is not sick again.

A little later Michael returned home wanting dinner and told her that he had work again tomorrow.  He was completely unaware of how his wife was feeling.  A little annoyed but relieved at the extra money from overtime, she cursed under her breath. He was calm and relaxed after his day, unaware of the stress that had occurred at home.  Jessica had had enough, she was tired and knew the children would not eat much. She cooked some food and soon after followed the nightmare of bedtime.

Michael sat in his arm chair, too tired to help her. Jessica now tried to get their daughter to just calm down and shut her eyes. Jacob being unwell was quiet tonight. She helped her put on her pyjamas and clean her teeth. Then they read Janie’s ‘My Little Pony’ storybook together. Her favourite pony was Fluttershy.  Tucking her in she then kissed her goodnight.

Now sat cuddling her mug of tea, the house was quiet, it was lovely. Watching her favourite soap she allowed herself to relax a little. It was then that she heard a wail followed by crying. Jessica knew what had happened and really did not want to go back upstairs.

Grabbing a bowl she ran up the stairs and raced into Janie’s room. There Janie sat tears streaming down her soaking wet red face, ‘I’ve been sick’. Once again, the bedding needed changing. Very well practiced at it and annoyed with herself for putting the washing machine on too soon she changed all the bedding whilst Michael helped to calm down Janie.

This Is the less glamourous side of motherhood Jessica thought. The children bring so much fun and love into our lives but they are such hard work. She stood and watched Janie falling back to sleep, ‘I hate it when the children are ill’ she thought ‘ but maybe tomorrow might be a quiet day as long as there is no more sick’

Please note, this story is fiction, though I’m sure we have all experienced a similar day.  Yes I did draw the pirate ship in the featured image.

For more see, Just one of those days