It’s 7:45 a.m.
I am sitting at my kitchen table with a cup of tea.
There are no sounds in the house, except for the hum of my laptop and my fingers clicking against the chicklet keyboard.
For the first time in over 7 years, I am home. Alone. In the morning. In the quiet.
I can be completely focused on just one thing at a time. One ear is not cocked toward a nearby room to listen for fighting children or whether someone has left the water running. My body is relaxed, a welcome respite from the constant pawing that a wife and mother’s body endures from needy children and a loving husband.
I will have this every day now. For now, it will be for 7 hours. As my kids age, the quiet periods will exceed the noisy periods in this house.
I do not sit at the table and wish my kitchen was filled with laughter and screaming.
I am an extroverted introvert. I love socializing, but my soul requires alone time to feel filled up, recharged.
In the last 7 years, my alone time has been fragmented: an hour at the grocery store here, a quick stop at the coffee shop there. But never once in the morning. Never once in my home for 7 hours. Never what I have really needed.
And so I sit at my table, relishing the silence. It is quiet enough for me to finally hear my own thoughts. Real thoughts - not the scattered rantings of a distracted mother.
This is my opportunity to refill the depleted repositories of my life: creativity, rest, exercise, organization. There will be more of me – a better me – to share with my family.
And it will feel so joyous when, after I have had my share of silence, it will be broken by the excited children who have tales to tell of school and recess and new friends as they burst through the door.
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{ 49 comments }
Oh, the sound of silence….enjoy!!
Come by when you can….
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Tractor Mom´s last [type] ..It Was All I Could Do To Keep From Crying!
As a teacher who has no children at home, I have quite the opposite schedule than you
. Noise and happy chaos all day, with blessedly quiet mornings and evenings!! Glad you’re enjoying this time 
Sarah´s last [type] ..and then I choked down the giggles
One more day and 7 hours of silence is here too. whoop!
This post moves me so, Gigi. I could feel the quiet in your words, and it was comforting. I am very much like you – enjoy life and the socializing that goes with it … but NEED the quiet to refuel and refocus. I have a few more years until I am able to reach a morning like this – but knowing that it is out there, is enough for me. Lovely, lovely post, dear friend. Enjoy getting to know yourself again!
Leanne´s last [type] ..Am I supposed to bring cheese to that Mouse- or not
So. Very. Jealous. I long for a quiet house and quiet thoughts. Next September it will be my turn.
Kristin @ Peace, Love and Muesli´s last [type] ..Good Food On My Face
That recharging is so vital! I have always woken up early to get that time to myself.
blueviolet´s last [type] ..My Baby Left Me
Right there with you, girl! Isn’t it great? Love your description of yourself as an “extroverted introvert”. I think that is what I am as well, just never thought of it that way!
Diane´s last [type] ..PINT- Im officially GREAT!
My youngest started Kindergarten (full day) last week, so I know exactly how you feel. It’s a little sad that they have to grow up, but the silence is definitely golden!
I love your term extroverted introvert. I think that suits me as well. Enjoy your silence!
Evonne´s last [type] ..Its so good- its orgasmic
I have to say that I’m a bit jealous! My oldest three children are in school all day and while I have a 7 month old at home it’s all moot since I work all day.
My quite time is severely limited! Day starts at 5:30am and doesn’t end till almost 10pm!
Jackie´s last [type] ..I was holding on tight but
Beautiful post! I’m a little envious, but I know my time will come.
Jana @ An Attitude Adjustment´s last [type] ..Demon-Child
Oh how wonderful! 7 years seems like a long time but I know better than that. Enjoy every delicious moment to yourself. You deserve it mama.
Justine´s last [type] ..What I have learned so far
So. Jealous. I’ll have those seven hours – in about 5 years, which will make it over 12 years of noise before that happens! Enjoy every minute – you’ve earned it!
Sitting here in the quiet, as well. I’m not really digging it, yet, but I’m sure I’ll come to appreciate it in time. Right now, I’m trying to figure out how to ignore the book I’m reading and my cozy couch, so I can get some work done. I need my watchdogs here, constantly asking me “What are you doing?”
Enjoy your days~
I have to admit – I, too, am an extroverted introvert! Enjoy this time!
Nicole Abdou´s last [type] ..My new brand of Crack
I have many many years before I will be able to experience that, I do look forward to it though hahaha!
McKenzie´s last [type] ..Do you have Sunday Smiles
LOL. this is great. I am an extroverted extrovert however. Which is beneficial considering we have a 3 yr old. My husband would love to have about 50% more quiet in the house for sure. lol.
JennyMac´s last [type] ..Birth Control
Love this post and I remember those times….so strange in the beginning, but then absolutely wonderful to have the best of both worlds!
Bossy Betty´s last [type] ..Saturday Tracks
As I was a working mom, I never had that transition from crazy house to quiet house.
I can only imagine the semi-confused relief you are feeling.
I’m pretty happy with the Gigi I know now, but, a new improved Gigi will be a force to be reckoned with.
Lori @ In Pursuit of Martha Points´s last [type] ..Quick! Read!
Wooo hoooo. Awesome for you.
As a working mom I have no clue what this feels like. Even on the days my son is gone for a few hours I’m a bit weirded out about him not being there and the moments of “real thinking” I could do without most of the time. I have to get better with this because lately momma’s on the verge of battyness!
Keia´s last [type] ..i adore
I love your viewpoint… and I’m looking forward to experiencing that myself. Yay for you for finally getting the “me” time you need and deserve!
Booyah’s Momma´s last [type] ..Love
Silence…wait…what is that?
Imperfect Momma´s last [type] ..Life as Me
Jamie´s last [type] ..Watch me roll down a hill
Gigi, you and I are in the same world now. At least for 7 hours a day! Welcome to a new chapter….I, too enjoy being social, but there is a certain part of me that craves alone time. And coffee.
Sherri´s last [type] ..Free Bird
enjoy the bliss, you’ve earned it!!
MommaKiss´s last [type] ..Move Along
Would it wrong to tell you that I’m insanely jealous?! Like stomping my feet yelling that’s not fair jealous? I am, but know that you totally earned it! I’ll be there soon…just not as soon as I’d like
Natalie´s last [type] ..Some Like It Hot
7 years. is that how long this will last?
congratulations to you–i hope, someday, i make it too.
Tiffany´s last [type] ..Awesome sauce the sarcastic kind
Aahhh. I hate to interrupt your quiet day with a comment, but I will at least whisper it…congrats on the silence.
Liz @ Peace, Love & Guacamole´s last [type] ..An unlikely guide to parenting
I know what you mean about the quiet. Much easier to think and relate to your thoughts. Have fun with your thoughts. Those hours go fast!
Dalia´s last [type] ..Is friending your kid an invasion of privacy
As a homeschooler, I envy you. As much as I love my life, we all need uninterrupted peace sometimes.
mecarol´s last [type] ..Nightmares Filled with Pretty Girls
I have many more years to go, but you have paid your dues and deservingly so. I can’t wait to write this kind of post – in like five years!!!
Theta Mom´s last [type] ..Another Epic Parent Fail
it’s like the reward for all the hardships of motherhood.
enjoy the silence!
liz´s last [type] ..That Time I Did a PSA
I long for those days. My twins are 4 1/2, so we have a ways to go. I need to recharge and am green with envy. The silence sounds delicious.
erin´s last [type] ..This Girl Just Wants to Write
Oh Enjoy it Mama! Well deserved and please keep telling me how wonderful it is. While I can’t believe how fast time passes and I know it will be here soon enough, sometimes I just crave some uninterrupted quiet time. Phases of life, I know so I will just try to enjoy where I am. Congratulations and I bet that feeling when they get home must just be pure happiness
Melissa (Confessions of a Dr.Mom)´s last [type] ..Im Talking Newborn Daze Over at Ingenue Mom
I am also an extroverted introvert, but I must say I can’t imagine 7 hours of quiet at the moment! I hope it’s going well for you all
Beth´s last [type] ..Cloth Tushie Tuesday Week 4
aahhh….i love my kiddos, but i sure as hell love it when they go back to school!! now if i could just get my damn hubs out of the house (he works from home). enjoy!!
Beautifully written post. For now I get two hours three times a week if I am lucky but just the first two hours yesterday was pure heaven
I think three years from now I will be ready for the 7 hours too, for pretty much the same reasons.
Aging Mommy´s last [type] ..You Capture Outside- At The Beach
You will always enjoy your quiet times. And there is nothing wrong wtih it. I love to read, and when my kids were little, I would take one sunday a month and tell them it was my day to read. No bothering. And then they went to school and found friends and became teenagers. I love my quiet time.
Donna´s last [type] ..The Day I Totally Lost It
I hope I like it as much as you! I’ve got 8 hours coming my way tomorrow.
Great post- especially about relishing the part when the noise comes bursting through the door.
Joey @ Big Teeth & Clouds´s last [type] ..Just getting started
Extroverted introvert, I like that! Some quiet alone time is definitely necessary…enjoy your daily 7 hours!!
Hutch´s last [type] ..I NEED your help!
I am only just beginning my journey through motherhood – so I have a ways to go before getting some quiet, alone time. For now, I am still relishing the time I have with my almost 1 year old (oh, where has the time gone?!).
Enjoy! It should be so great to have time to yourself after 7 years! And then bury yourself in the noise as they come barging through the door.
I wish I had a bit of you in me, I hate the silence.
Alexandra´s last [type] ..Guest Post by Baby E- Part II
I had a moment, sort of, like this today. It was after I yelled at the 3 year old and after wrestling with the 1 year old. They both finally fell asleep and I had 30 mins to myself! =)
MamaOnDaGo´s last [type] ..What a Morning
You have described my feelings exactly! Love them all to bits, but I’ll be a much better Mum with a little more calm in my life! Five more months to go….
Catch the Kids´s last [type] ..Bob Reveals His Secret Skills
I love your attitude! Yesterday I was in tears thinking of my littlest one going to school with her siblings. I will have to read and re-read this post, hoping your words will influence my mindset.
Mrs.Mayhem´s last [type] ..The Impromptu Piano Recital
As I finished the final touches on my blogpost about the annual 1st day back to school picture i am sitting here with my second day home alone unfolding in front of me. It is something I need to get used to. When they are here I wish for time alone, when they are gone I miss them. I loved this post. So eloquent and quiet. I felt I was sitting in the quiet kitchen with you.
Dana
I hate you. In a jealousy way, of course.
Bethany´s last [type] ..Crazy Diet
Alone time .. that sounds so decadent. Don’t have this for at least the next 5 years
blackhuff´s last [type] ..The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Followed you here from LBS.
I am in the exact spot as you right now. My kids just started school on Tues. 3rd grade and full-day kindergarten. 7 sweet hours to get my freelance writing done without juggling their needs at the same time. Bliss.
Kim- Mommycosm´s last [type] ..Review and Giveaway- Free simulated diamond earrings
thanks for coming by! yes, it is total bliss!!! Very excited for the time! Enjoy yours, too!
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