No longer able to drive (himself or carpool the kids to activities), change a diaper, fold a load of laundry or mow the lawn, I was making myself nuts with doing 100% of the household duties, all of the driving (a feat given our status as #3 worst traffic in the U.S.) and most of the kid responsibilities, from baths to- let's hear it for worst timing ever- potty training. Let's just say you never know how helpful your partner actually is until he's down a limb.
Then it hit me, I didn't have to do it all. In fact, it was really quite stupid. I was making myself nuts, taking my resentment out on my injured husband and setting a bad example for my kids. It was time to put down my cape. I didn't need to be Super Mom.
I've spent a long time building my village and it was time to let them help, and help they did. I enlisted several overnights for kid #3 (while potty training, good times for grandparents) and bus stop pick ups and drop offs for kids #1-2. I arranged carpools downtown for my husband until I realized that meant the cape was slowing creeping back onto my shoulders and swiftly handed him the bus schedule.
I gave up cooking for a week or two, opting for take out and breakfast and sandwiches for dinner. I said "no" to activities, for me, for the kids, for all of us. And we kind of liked it.
Now husband enters physical therapy and should get the OK from the surgeon to begin driving next week. Will I be able to keep my cape in the closet?
