“I used to be
reasonably intelligent, passably attractive and funny. Now I am just an idiot with bed head”
me, mother of a rower
My younger daughter started her on water rowing this week which means our 5:15 am bell now rings at 4:20. 6 mornings a week.
I used to think that I would only get up at that hour for a new baby, a sick child or a trip to the Carribean. Or Europe. Or anywhere fabulous.
Let me just say that a trip down to lake Ontario at that hour is not qute the same thing.
Firstly, the car is filled with otherwise charming and polite teenagers, who hardly grunt at that hour.
Secondly, It is pitch black and cold and damp where you are headed.
Thirdly, and this is really the icing on the cake- you must stay down there until 7:15 to take them back to school.
First morning- after not sleeping at all the night before for fear that alarm clock would not go and I would let everyone down-I sat in a coffee shop and tried to write and pay bills. I felt like a zombie. I drank a cup of coffee the size of my head. Productivity linked to coffee consumption was up, quickly followed by an inability to operate large machinery or think complex thoughts.
The second morning I took my sleeping bag and slept in my car. Did you hear me? I slept in my car as though I was homeless. I come from a nice family. I reclined and fell fast asleep for an hour. I may have even drooled a little. I didn’t care if anyone saw me or even if they broke in and murdered me.
At least I wouldn’t be tired, just dead.
True but I don’t have to change a diaper…….
OMG! And I thought being up with a 10 month old was bad! At least I don’t have to leave the house!
Ohh man I thought I had it rough! I remember when I was coaching gymnastics and the girls had to be in the gym at 6:00am – ugh! I can so relate to sitting up all night for fear of not waking up lol! I have done that several times. You are an amazing mom to offer this great opportunity for your daughter! The things we do for our offspring is wild – good for you:) But I actually think the sleeping bag homeless in the car is too funny but I would do the same thing!
oh no patti no one is loving anyone at that hour
good for you for doing that!
You’re one dedicated Rowing Mama! The other parents must love you, Nancy! I remember those early mornings well As one of 9 members of a w’s 8 (cox Inc). I had to pedal my butt down to the Thames otherwise leave my teammates waiting on the dock. I think if I were in your shoes I’d be doing the same thing even if it meant less sleep. Our kids are worth it!
oh no leslie, not everyday. We get Sunday’s off.
Aileen where is my *&^%$^*^# brownie badge ?
exactly kim- this has been a very long week and it is only Wednesday. I feel drugged. Yikes.
good luck to you too, comrade!
LOVE! I am the mother of a daughter who swam on the competitive swim team. They had to practice BEFORE the high school team that shared the same pool. They were IN the water by 5:30AM. I can soooooo relate. I won’t lie. I’ve gone to the pool in my pjs. My youngest is rapidly moving up the ranks. Pretty soon we’ll be back to am practices. Yikes!
Seriously though, on those days don’t you feel like the end of the day and the beginning are not even a part of the same day. It messes with my head.
Keep on keeping on Mom. You rock!
OMG, I can only hope that the temptation to row never seeps the walls of my house…….Please tell me you do not have to do this everyday????
Oh Nancy, that made me laugh out loud. I was going to join the rowing team at University until I found out what time the practices were. You are a good mother.