it’s dark and rainy this morning and it feels perfect.
after a longer than usual, hotter than usual, drier than usual spring and summer i am ready for the rain.
both kids are now in school full time.
wow.
the day that i thought would take so long to get here is here.
it’s bittersweet.
the introvert in me loves the quiet, uninterrupted time to get things done.
the part of me that has spent the last eight years as the main caregiver of my children feels like a part of me is missing.
watching them enjoy the freedom that they have leaving me and entering the doors of their school together warms my heart.
listening to them talk about the times they see each other at school lets me know that they are keeping an eye on each other when i am not there to do it.
there are two gifts we should give our children; one is roots, and the other is wings.
this will be an interesting time.
my main job is to still be their main caregiver, but it’s not a full-time job anymore.
i will be figuring out how to fill the time in between.
in between when they leave me for the day and when they return to my care.
today, i will fill it with organizing the pantry, cleaning their rooms, my bedroom, and the bathrooms with the open windows letting in fresh rain filled air while i listen to the maroon 5 pandora station as loud as i want to!
home is…filling the in between.
stephany taddeo 
I love the roots and wings quote. Have a great day at home! Home is where the heart is.
Its true. I like how you said being mom is no longer a full time job, but your main job. I think you said it so well.
Enjoy and cherish each moment and stage – when you look back it flies! I completely understand your “in between” time and you will go through many wonderful stages!
Awwwhhh that’s a sweet deep post. So real.
Enjoy your winter 🙂
I love the quote, it really sums up what we want to do for our kids. Lovely post – I can relate as a parent. I am so proud and happy to watch my son getting bigger and more independent, I would not want it any other way, but at the same time there is a part of me that mourns the time gone by. Enjoy the new season. 🙂
I went through this same thing many years ago. Being a full-time caregiver for your children is great but when they are in school you are not sure what to do. You have this time and you spend a lot of it walking around trying to find something to do. Find yourself a few hobbies, make time for yourself after all you deserve it.
I am going to be really honest, it was a huge relief when my two were through those school gates! Don’t get me wrong – I love my children – (what do you call your children when they are grown up?) but yippidy do dah a little bit of me time was essential. I remember discussing this with them when they were in their late teens – I felt guilty that motherhood wasn’t all encompassing, I was there, but I went dancing once a week and loved sewing. My son said something really lovely – ‘the great thing is that we can go out and do our thing, your life won’t collapse’ I guess that is what is meant about learning to fly.
So what are you going to do that puts a spring in your step and a sparkle in your eye?
What adventures will you be able to share with them when they get home?
Every moment is bittersweet, but let the sweet be the bigger part.