What Did I Expect?

I love being a mother. But the worst part about parenthood for me is its unpredictability.

My kids just went back to school after a week and a half off for spring break. I sat down at my kitchen table a day before the long-awaited break and made a list of all the places we would explore during the week. Our plans for visiting zoos, parks, museums, playgrounds and friends on playdates brought a smile to my kids' faces, and filled me with excitement for bonding time and loads of happy memories. First stop, an often postponed and much anticipated playdate.

As luck would have it, my daughter wakes up the morning of our first adventure with a 103-degree fever. Panic sets in. I was worried about my daughter and wanted her to feel better. However, I also feared that we would be stuck in the house all week. Two days later, Jules was back to herself, and I breathed a sigh of relief. “Great,” I thought, “off to the zoo we go tomorrow.” Not so fast! Let's not forget how this parenting thing works. In the dark hours of the night before the aforementioned outing, my son wakes up with complains about stomach pains. No sooner are the words out of his mouth before he releases all hopes of a fun-filled week— right onto his sheets and bedspread.

I don't blame my kids for getting sick. And I am thankful that both bouts were mild and followed by a quick recovery. The truth of the matter is that as a parent you have to roll with the punches. Most days are nowhere close to what you envisioned they would be that morning.

My kids and I did manage to have one fun day at the park for a family picnic. Memories were made, and as for all the other stuff we didn't get to…well, there is always tomorrow— I think!