Yin, yang and the death of the chore nazi

Have you ever seen the yin yang symbol? It was all the rage when I was in middle school- I remember seeing it on T-shirts and necklaces at the dollar store. I'm pretty sure I scribbled it in a few notebooks, not really knowing what it represented.

Thanks to Wikipedia, I have since learned that in Asian philosophy, yin yang is used to describe how polar opposites or seemingly contrary forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other in turn. Yin yang are complementary opposites that interact within a greater whole, as part of a dynamic system.


It's easy to see how this translates to my life. One moment, my children are laughing and playing like angels, and the next they are behaving like the devil's spawn. The way a freshly mopped floor inevitably attracts a muddy shoe. Probably the greatest manifestation of yin and yang in my life is in my relationship with Cameron. He's the ham. I'm the shy person. He's the athlete. I'm the klutz. Normally these opposing qualities somehow compliment each other- it creates a nice balance to things. However, when it comes to how we parent, I have to admit I resent it. 


I'm all business and he's all play. And it kind of makes me jealous.


 I can't quite pull myself away from the chores and dinner that needs making and laundry that needs folding. Not that I enjoy chores, but with three young ones it doesn't take long before a small pile of laundry or a few dishes morph into a tower of despair that feels insurmountable. So, I do my best to keep up with it. And Cameron? He plays with the kids until they come in coated in dirt and smelling like sunblock and grass stains. He knows I need a break at the end of the day and he's a kid at heart- Win/win, right? not always. 


Don't get me wrong, I love Cameron and I love the fact that my kids start giggling uncontrollably when he walks through the door. The fact that he has a job means he gets to be the cool, elusive parent whose presence coincides with playtime and the weekend. I love that my kids get to spend most of the evening playing outside with daddy. Doing dishes, making dinner, stocking the groceries, nursing a grumpy  baby in the middle of the night, enforcing the rules- it's not particularly fun. Somebody has to do it, and as the parent who stays home full-time (and the only one who can lactate) I know that the majority of the responsibility falls on my shoulders, but every once in a while I want to be the rockstar in the eyes of my children. They don't really notice that their clothes are washed and folded in their drawers or that they get three meals a day, But they do notice how awesome things are when dad is around. I want to walk through the door and be bombarded with kisses and shrill laughter, darn it! It's not fair!


On the flip side, I know Cameron gets jealous that I get to spend all day with the kids, that the baby likes me best because I am his source of milk, and that he wishes he could be outside on these beautiful sunny days. When I think about it, I know I win when it comes to who has the coolest job. 


I'm learning. Lately we've been eating things like cereal and vegetarian corn dogs for dinner. I have more dirt under my nails and freckles on my nose. There has been more laughter and more messes and even a fruit fly infestation from all of the dishes that sit in the sink for far too long. It was kind of gross. But, it is pretty thrilling to just... let things go and enjoy the moment. I'm thankful for Cameron and how much fun he is. I'd probably be a cross-looking librarian without him around, just like in "It's a Wonderful Life." There is something about sharing your life with someone that makes you... better. You learn to be flexible and forgiving and you also learn that maybe your way isn't always the best. I'm sure I'll revert back to the serious chore-nazi soon, but while the sun is out, I am grateful for the chance to be a happy slob. Just don't come over unannounced :)


Do you ever get jealous? 


And some fun pics and videos:

 Phoenix does a lot of this

 Sunshine is teething, hence the binky, the awesome expression and the drool rash on her chin.

 Phoenix also does a lot of this.

Cutie pies

  Can I just point out how miniscule the size difference is between my ten-week-old and my 1 1/2-year-old? He's definitely got daddy's hugeness.