Sorry to those who have missed me, I've been blogging slacker. To be honest, life has been kind of blech lately and I didn't have anything witty, insightful or inspirational to post. Then I realized tonight that the blech days were why I started writing this blog - everyone has them, whether you are parenting "normal" or challenged kids, and everyone needs to know that they aren't in the boat alone.

At some point between conception and child birth most women start believing that they are solely responsible for everything that happens or doesn't happen in regard to their child(ren). Suddenly we have this irrational feeling that we have to be everything, all the time, to our family: the chef, the maid, the doctor, the care taker, the psychologist, the tutor, the chauffeur....we take it on willingly and usually happily. 

And then one day, for no reason we can readily identify, we are running on empty. It's the feeling of "I've given everything I have, I have no more left. I need a refill and I need it BAD." Those are my blech days. The days where I muddle through the responsibilities of every day life because I have to, not because I'm enjoying any part of it. They are the no energy, no desire to anything, no extra effort days. In the words of my Mom, they're the "fake it til ya' make it" days.

Mommy (and Daddy) friends, having a few days like this is NORMAL. Let's face it, there are very few people in the world who feel truly fulfilled by loading the dishwasher and doing laundry. Picking up toys, taking out the trash, and cooking meals that at least one person responds to with "Do I HAVE to eat this?" rarely leads to a feeling of being appreciated. Homework struggles, sibling squabbles and bedtime battles do not result in perky, I love my life moments.

The question is, what do we do to refuel? How do we move from blech to bliss? I bet you're expecting some kind of wisdom about now - answers to the questions above. Try not to be too disappointed, because I've got nothing! All I can tell you is you're not alone. We all have those days and we all get through them, it just takes some of us a little longer to shake the blechs than others.

For me, music, a long bath, time with another mom who "gets it" and writing help a lot. Out of those things, time with a friend who will listen, laugh, and let me vent a little helps the most. There's nothing quite like the bond between mommy friends. Mommy friends are the people who have your back, the ones who make you laugh when you want cry and scream, the girls you can have drinks with and not worry about what you say or being politically correct, they are the people you tell your secrets and dreams to without fear of becoming the latest bus stop gossip. Mommy friends know you, and they like you anyway :)

I'm a lucky girl. I have a circle of mommy friends who keep me sane, make me laugh and are there for me on the blech days. You girls know who you are and if I haven't told you recently, I love you! Without you, I'm pretty sure I'd be a long term guest at the Rubber Ramada ;)