On The Days I Struggle the Most with My Little Ones

There are days when everyone needs and wants to be held and there isn't a second I can find to myself. One of the children in the group is either unhappy, throwing a tantrum, crying or shrieking, and I think, Please go play. Mommy needs a break. Just two minutes to myself. I can't hold you right now. My arms are about to break.

I know I will want each moment back that I took for granted -- and be begging for the opportunity to chase one of my children down, to have them let me hold them at all.

The incessant one mores -- when I'm asked to color one more picture, read one more book or play one more game, after the previous hours of devoting every last breath of energy left in my body -- find me answering at times with a slouch and a sigh.

Yet, I know there will come a time when I'd give anything to be able to sit down and not only do these one more time, but a thousand more times.

There are mornings, afternoons and evenings when I feel like a slave in my own kitchen. When it feels like it's more of a war zone. I don't get to sit down, as someone always needs another refill, a second helping -- or naturally, there is a mess that needs immediate attention.