I had SUCH a lovely holiday in Australia staying with old friends and feeling calm and happy AND finally feeling that being a single parent and going on holiday with my children actually worked brilliantly. I was comfortable in my own skin and didn’t feel like I was missing a limb which was pretty amazing given that both couples that I stayed with are completely in love with each other and a total unit.
However, my reflections on how confident I suddenly felt about being and coping on my own with my two children got severely tested once we arrived in Dubai. Suddenly I went from feeling like a strong, independent, I can do this on my own, woman, to “OMG. HELP!! HELP! I need rescuing. In manner of Penelope Pitstop. Where was my knight in shining armour?”. I panicked for two days. It’s not fun feeling like a refugee and even my daughter had to get me to pull myself together. I went from person on holiday to mother fighting to save her children and get everybody home safely as soon as possible. Just the most bizarre experience.
But now I’m back and getting my perspective back I can go back to my reflections. My “green shoots of recovery” moments were felt most strongly in Sydney, staying with my old friends. Because literally their house is built into the side of a mountain – built around rocks in some parts that stood proudly here and there and set amongst rainforest. From the balcony in their sitting room you actually looked out over the tops of the ferns and trees. Just lovely. So refreshing. It was like living in a treehouse:-
It is always strange coming back to your own house after a holiday. I always find I want to change everything. Throw it all away and start again. Or move. I have noticed many new lumps and bumps in it. BIG handprints on my daughter’s newly painted room on the wall and a huge gash out of the wall in my teenage son’s bedroom – “mum, honestly I HAVE NO IDEA how any of that happened”…..and a belt that I don’t recognise in my room. However, I have decided that it’s probably best not to pursue it any further. Frankly best not to know what’s been going on.
Yesterday teenage son had about 8 friends round for a BBQ. They managed to set the whole bloody thing alight. The temperature on the guage reached the maximum 600 degrees and there were flames billowing out from the whole thing. I had to throw a ton of water on it. It’s a worry. What if that had happened whilst I was away? I made him take some flowers round to the next door neighbours to apologise for throwing half eaten burgers on her whilst she was sunbathing. They made him go into their house and gave him a lecture about smoking.
I’m still busy sorting out stuff I should have dealt with weeks ago. Strange. Not yet back in the flow. But getting there.
Working Mum
April 25, 2010Glad you are back safely and beginning to sort things out. I always feel like I don’t recognise my house when I get home, and it always looks more colourful than I remember. Wonder why that is?
English Mum
April 25, 2010Glad you’re back safe and sound, and feeling positive. Happily (or unhappily, depending on how you look at it), I still get to take my kids with me on holiday, so no suspicious circs on my return, but I know what you mean about wanting to change everything. It all looks so boring now after beautiful Moroccan tiles and gleaming white paintwork.
Lovely to have you back xx
Family Affairs
April 25, 2010You too darling. Yes. Be thankful your kids not yet old enough to be left behind!! Lx
Jon Storey
April 25, 2010This holiday with all it’s ups and downs has done you the world of good. There is life and confidence after divorce! The Children’s Mother really enjoyed her ‘solo’ holidays with the children.
Family Affairs
April 25, 2010Yes. I think you are right Jon. It’s taken me a long time to get to that point tho Lx
Expat Mum
April 25, 2010Sorry but I had to laugh at the BBQ incident. It wouldn’t have been your life if something hadn’t gone wrong by the end of the blog post. Glad you’re all safe and sound tho’.
Just remember to breathe…..
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