We all have bad days. As writers…as mommies…as human beings. Some are worse than others, but I’m concentrating more on the incidents that make up a bad day rather than some disastrous news that slaps the breath out of you and leaves you clawing for footing.
A normal, run of the mill, bad day.
Ever feel like a book is going on track big time? You’re excited, motivated to write at least a 1,000 words per day and send something great into your editor? And then you get a rejection in the mail from something you sent out months ago, and then you get an email from a short story editor who says she liked your story but not enough to buy it, and you go back to your novel, somewhat deflated, and realize you have no idea what you’re doing? That you will probably write this book and not be guaranteed any type of sale? Kind of like a series of sucker punches that deflates the happy motivation and dreams of accomplishing publication? It can come to the published or unpublished, at any time. I usually stumble a bit off track, give myself a pity party and move on. But this can constitute a bad day.
I love being a mom, but sometimes, it’s completely exhausting. Getting up early, rushing around, dressing, bathing, cooking breakfast, while the house gets trashed – get them off to school – come home, clean up, do dishes, answer email, make a phone call, let the dogs out, pay a bill, go pick the little one up, then do lunch, stop at the library, the grocery store, give him a snack, play toys, clean up, play a game, read books, clean up, pick up the older one from school, do homework, make dinner, clean up, play, then get ready for bedtime? That’s a normal day. How about a bad day? When the dogs get into the garbage and coffee grinds fall all over? When the little one spills the cup of chocolate milk he INSISTED he can handle and the tablecloth is soaked, along with his clothes? And then the dog throws up from eating the coffee grinds and you are scrubbing the carpet? And the oil bill comes in and it’s $100 more per month and you get a little note that says oil has gone up and you have to make up for it in your budget – so sorry? And you realize there’s a birthday party tomorrow and you have no gift and have to drag the kids to the toy store while they whine and cry for something…anything…for themselves? Yeah. Sometimes it’s just a bad day.
The good news? It passes. Routine and sunshine and hopes of a better day reign bright when we open our eyes again. We have the unique opportunity to try again.
I found this video on You Tube and laughed so hard, I immediately felt better. Wanted to share with you and hope, my peeps, you have a good day. This poor woman DID NOT.
It’s called A BADMOMMY DAY:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6RqbDfRU4M
Enjoy!
Please check out my other blog at http://4badmommies.com and get a laugh from a mom immersed in Teen Dating.
Jen, We all have days like that. Of course I don’t have them with children but sometimes have them over grandchildren. I have a friend who received a rejection of a short story where the editor wrote paragraphs praising parts of the story. He ended it with I’m love your story but I’m not going to buy it. Editors are B——-. You can fill in the blanks.
Thanks for the support, Janet – already having a better day and moving onward!
I hope tomorrow is a much better day for you. 🙂
Thanks, Renae – it already got better!
I think it’s great that ‘mom’ had some sexy underwear on! That is what I found funny.
I SO agree!
This was the perfect post for me today. It’s 6 am here and I haven’t been to sleep yet because both my daughter and I are sick. Some days and nights are just ugh!
That video made me laugh though. Thanks. 🙂
Oh, Regina, I am so sorry you’re sick. Feel better and glad you had a good laugh.
Hi Jen!
Sorry you’re having a tough day. Think: April 1st I have a book coming out!!! That’s exciting. And something to look forward to.
Shake off the bad stuff. Have a glass of wine. You’re a talented writer and your next book is going to wow them! And you have great kids and husband who cooks and dogs to cuddle….Am I helping? At all?
Don’t you know you always make me feel better??!!
That was a funny video. Thanks. I hope your day gets better.
Thanks Carly, I swear that could be me one day and I’d laugh just as hard. Afterward.
Getting unhappy news from an editor or publisher is never welcome. We have to realize it’s part of the process and it takes internal discipline to forge ahead. Being a parent is tougher. We have complicated relationships among our children, older now, but those include developmental delays and emotional outbursts. Yes, it’s tough to write when one or two might end up screaming at you for one or two hours (literally). But you have to keep writing.
HI DD, You said it so well. The writing journey takes a lot of discipline and toughness – you fall down and you pick yourself up. Builds character. And when you do succeed, it’s even sweeter. And yes, being a parent is even tougher – we are in this for the long haul and have to concentrate always on the journey because there is never a destination.