Anyone Seen the Children?

Did you hear that?

It’s silence. At least it is in this home. Yes in the MMK home, the kids are gone. In fact, the blog has a new name.

Drumroll please….

Me Myself and Mrs.

Pretty exciting huh? I think this could draw the same type of fanfare as IHOP going to IHOB. By the way, I have to admit, I was curious about that.

Yup, for the week – just a short term thing = Mrs. MMK and I have been empty nesters. BR is spending his annual week at my mother’s place. And SJ is away at overnight camp.

So, the house is quiet. There’s been no arguing, no yelling, no teasing. No messes to clean up. No warnings to give. No pounding of the steps.

I could go on. But I’ll stop.

You can probably guess what I’m going to say next.

Try a moment. I’ll wait.

I’m liking the empty nest. Really!

We Kept the Dog.

No, I don’t want it long term, and I’ll be happy to see the boys.

But for now, this is a pleasant change of pace.

Since they’ve been gone, much has happened. Check this list out:

I’ve cooked dinner three times. Not just prepared – cooked.
I’ve made multiple – like four – vegetables with each dinner, and there have been no special orders.
I’ve slept 7 hours per night
I got together with friends
Mrs. MMK and I planned a date night and our vacation (still some details to go)
I started meditating
My hair grew back – black
My six pack has sprouted.

Okay, the last two things are fibs. You got me. But the other things – all true. While that may not sound dramatic to some, plenty of you parents out there have to be impressed. I know I am.

Life is challenging with kids – no duh, right. Our lives are impacted in every way. Yes, we love our children and feel blessed to have them.

But getting that break… I’m liking it.

Like everything else is life, breaks are refreshing. Experiencing life from a new perspective allows you to take stock, reconsider, and reevaluate.

Over the course of the week, I’ve done some nice things and plenty of mundane things that are less common in my life than I’d prefer, I’ve also given some thought to myself as a parent and my relationship with my children.

My boys are getting older and sooner than I’d like, the empty nest won’t be a temporary thing. I want to maximize the time my children are under my roof. I want to have moments and make memories with them. I want to be present and offer support, advice, and just listen.

For now, I’m just going to enjoy the quiet house.

And check the mirror to monitor the return of my hair.

Photo by Luke Brugger on Unsplash