Who gets the best of us?

This is a bit more of an introspective post (read: no shopping tips today!)

Since going back to work full-time in January after maternity leave for our second child, life has been full tilt. With a 1 year old and almost 3 year old, I figure this is pretty normal!

Finding that illusive "balance" has been hard as the kids have battled colds, stomach flu (2 times as if once wasn't punishment enough), pneumonia and more.  We've had only two full weeks since January where neither hubby nor I had to take time off to care for one of our little people.

Our days start around 5:30 am as we have early risers, which on a positive note, gives us the chance to have some quality time with the kids before we all rush out the door at 7:15 am to work and daycare.  I do both daycare drop-off and pick up as hubby commutes to work on public transit.  I must say, although I don't envy him for having to ride public buses, I often am jealous of that 45 minutes he gets before and after work each day to check-out. After action packed days at work, I start the daycare dash at 4 pm and usually am treated to the awesomeness of two crying kids the whole way home.  There's no mute button for that.

Enter the witching hour, every parents favourite time ;)   The dinner - bath - bedtime period is usually full of the 3 T's - tantrums, tears and tempers (all of us!).  Just when we think we've got the little people figured out, they throw in some nice cuddles and hugs. Then the fun begins of household chores, preparing for the next day, and perhaps, some "me-time" if I'm lucky.  

So my question - who gets the best of us - applies to us all.

We definitely don't get the best of our kids during the week.  Our daycare provider does.  This breaks my heart and causes all sorts of mommy guilt.  We see on the weekends all that we are missing out on during the week.

Does my husband get the best of me?  Probably not.  By the time the kids get to bed, I'm spent from a long day and don't have the energy left for much other than parking myself on the couch and catching up on mindless television.  I'd say likewise for him.

And to be completely honest, if it's been a not-so-great day and I'm frustrated or tired, my poor hubby usually gets the brunt of it as I blow off steam.  So completely unfair, I realize.

The people I work with probably get the best of me.  So backwards eh?  The people we love the most have to settle for what's left after we are mentally and physically drained all day.  Don't misunderstand - I love my job and usually find it energizing to be there.  But it shouldn't be at the detriment of the people who deserve more.

So I'm committing to working harder to give my little (and big) people more of the best of me.  I challenge you to do the same!

Mara