Monday, November 9, 2009

In Praise of Monday Morning

The best-kept secret of motherhood is Monday morning.

After a whole weekend of soccer games, Pet Pals club, play dates, Chuck-E-Cheese, errand running, Sabbath "resting" and family togetherness...Monday morning is my return to sanity.

I put the big kids on the bus, the little kids in front of Caillou, turn on my podcasts and then I'm on my own.

With 700 lbs. of dirty laundry, of course.

The thing is, I don't really even mind emptying wastebaskets, folding laundry and scrubbing the kitchen floor. On a Monday morning, it's my time. (As opposed to Saturday family chore time which I know is important, but let's face it, can be agonizing.)

I sort my thoughts as I separate the darks and whites. I scrub a grubby corner of the pantry and let my mind tackle a tricky scheduling dilemma. I wipe fingerprints off the glass door and resolve to improve parenting mistakes. It's Monday! A fresh start!

I learned early in my stay-at-home career that it was best to keep Monday's AM calendar square relatively clear. No doctor's appointments, no swimming lessons, no obligations. The foundation I lay Monday morning sets the tone for the entire week. And if I can get my house pulled back together, I feel a whole lot better about me, too.

The dryer is beeping. Is there anything better than fresh, warm towels? Or is that just me?

Enjoy your Monday, friends!

24 comments:

Robin said...

OK! I'm off to clean the family room!

al + sar said...

I have got to remember that for when Im at stay at home mom because now with working full-time Monday's are the worst!

Diane said...

I followed you over from your mom's blog. Sacred Monday morning - something I used to do when my kids were younger, but have gotten away from. I've been wondering where my weekly sanity has gone - you've inspired me to get back to the Monday morning at home.

diane said...

You almost make laundry sound fun. Almost.

Happy Monday.

Christie said...

My sentiments exactly. You, as usual, are SPOT ON.

♥Shally said...

Amen to that!!

But you say it so much better than I would. :)

Annie said...

Amen! Ah, the peace. Doubly appreciated after a long (last) week of kids home sick. I'm with Robin, now I'm inspired to go clean!

jen said...

I was just thinking about Monday & all that I have to do. I like how you put it. Off to do laundry & clean up all the fishy crackers that the two year old dumped out in the family room.

Heed said...

That's totally what I'm doing wrong. Mondays are the get back into the swing of things days. Good Advice.

Rochelleht said...

Yea, school's out today.

Wah! Rub it in...

jessica said...

AAAAAAmen! This is exactly how I feel about Mondays. I NEVER schedule anything in the morning. It's a gift to myself to have that morning open every week.

kara jayne said...

I am SO SO WITH YOU!!!

martha corinna said...

I was just talking to one of my running partners about this idea this morning. A new girl in the neighborhood has joined us and she was almost pleading with us to join her for lunch to have a play date because her Mondays are her "easy" day. On my way home I told my partner that I always thought I would be one of those moms who kept an open schedule by not over scheduling, but Lulu's therapy and YW changed all of that. My Monday-Wednesday are a mad dash. But I can happily say that Thursday and Friday are my peace days and I can settle for that right now.

Maybe next year.

I hope you've enjoyed your Monday.

Lisa-Marie said...

Oh, monday morning. Oh, how I love thee. let me count the ways!

Anonymous said...

My Monday is "reserved" similar to yours, I just hope to keep it that way somewhat as I am having to return to work in the "outside" world.

marta said...

i was just thinking about how productive my monday has been. am patting myself on the back. grocery shopping, sheets washed, house vacuumed, oprah watched and even a wal-mart run and enchiladas in the oven. high fives all around. xo.

Amanda D said...

Great post! Every word is true.

Hazen5 said...

We are on the same cleaning schedule! I do look forward to my Mondays.

the wrath of khandrea said...

i miss the concept of "free time".

very well written. as always.

Lauren in GA said...

You are awesome, Gabi. This post was perfectly put. I agree whole heartedly.

My kids have all loved Caillou, too. I had to learn to live with his whiny little voice. Anything to be able to get some organization going.

cami said...

My Monday was a big mess, so maybe I'll shoot for a well-organized Tuesday! I'm off to clean out my closet...

Thanks for the reminder to not over-schedule, that always helps to keep things sane!

cami said...

My Monday was a big mess, so maybe I'll shoot for a well-organized Tuesday! I'm off to clean out my closet...

Thanks for the reminder to not over-schedule, that always helps to keep things sane!

Ilene said...

Crud it's Tuesday. I totally missed my Monday morning.

Next week?

crystal said...

I was just thinking the same thing last week, that Monday sets the tone and I love having it devoted to domesticity.

I am in awe that you figured this out early on. Yeah. It takes me a while. Like THIRTEEN YEARS! I think I've always subconsciously been at home on mondays, but not in any intentional way.

You rock.

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