Do you ever have mornings where everything goes wrong? Where you come downstairs and last night’s saucepan is still on the hob and it’s not anyone’s fault because we were all out late at different events and activities, but still, it’s irritating? And the kids are late getting up and late getting down for breakfast, but they don’t understand how late it is no matter how often you tell them? And then one child pushes a door without realising there’s a sibling on the other side, and all manner of crying (in-genuine-pain-crying, guilt-laden-crying, joining-in-for-the-craic-crying) breaks out? And then you’re late leaving because of all the crying and the not understanding it’s late, and by the time you get to the school everyone else is gone in? And one child thinks it’s quiet, because it’s so early, and accuses you of being wrong about the lateness? And one child keeps anxiously asking if the teacher will be cross? And one child is just quiet so you’ve no idea what’s going on? And you say goodbye and kiss them all and try smoothing over everything so that they’re going in happy and contented and not at all worried except of course it’s too late for that?
And then you look for a fix – a way to get through the rest of the day without over-thinking and over-analysing how the morning went and how the kids are feeling.
In my old job, I usually fixed it by going out for takeaway coffees. One for me and one each for my work friends, who would then in turn have to listen to my crappy morning story, and then they’d tell me their crappy evening stories or crappy meeting stories, and we’d all feel better and get on with our day. And even if I wasn’t quite in the right mood for the most productive work of all time, it wasn’t the end of the world. There was always admin to do or meetings to distract, and failing that, more coffee.
And that’s the thing about working from home. There’s nobody here.
I can buy coffee, but it’s just for me. I can moan about my crappy morning, but I’m talking to myself. I can have a less than productive day except, really I can’t. There’s no way to write a book when spirits are at half-mast. There’s always admin, but with work time so short and deadlines so near, I can’t waste a morning on admin. (Did I mention my book 2 deadline is one month sooner than I thought – November 1st, not end of November?)
So hello internet, I’m moaning here. Hoping that typing the words will bring some of the catharsis that comes from moaning to friends at the office. And I’m drinking coffee. And in three hours, the very long but very short work morning is over. Then it’s time to pick them up with extra hugs, to fix the morning I broke.

Aw big hugs! I know that feeling, you want to moan but nobody there. It’s lonely being at home at times, yet also wonderful at times too. So here is a big giant virtual hug coming your way!!!! Don’t worry, when you collect the kids all will be forgotten and you can all do something fun together after school. We’re hoping to do some blackberry picking (although have been threatening all week yet something else seems to happen to stop us doing it!)
That’s fantastic about your 2nd book!!
I hope your day gets better
Hurrah for the internet and still getting to moan even without work colleagues! You’re so right – it’s lonely but ore often than that, it’s fantastic. The pros outweigh the cons for sure. I can take the odd blip. But it’s infinitely better knowing others are out there going through it sometimes too! I like the idea of blackberry picking, and thank you.
I hear you! It’s often not just mornings I break, but we’ll brush that aside for the moment. When frustration and guilt and motivation are all on the wrong side of the balance but you still have to sit (on your own) and look at the screen. We should set up a little corner of the internet for a little moan around a virtual coffee machine, because I know if I could have that little moan I could leave it behind and get on with my day.
Good luck with the deadline, I’ve no doubt that you’ll make it 🙂
Naomi Lavelle recently posted…The ultimate slime guide
It’s so hard to sit on your own and work after a bad morning, isn’t it! I’m not usually this upset but I suppose it all culminates sometimes, doesn’t it. I like our various corners of the internet where we can moan, I think we’re both lucky we have them 🙂
I am also having a broken morning which involved being reminded about the cake sale today so 8.15 am baking, lost ballet tights, missing cardigans and an irate Mammy who became a feeling-guilty Mammy once they all went into school.
The morning will be fixed by getting to 12 noon; then the afternoon is ours for the taking 🙂
Have a good rest of the day!
I am so in awe of your early morning baking – AND you inspired me to organise scones for all of us in the afternoon (from the shop though…) Here’s to a better week next week!
Andrea Mara recently posted…Fixing the morning I broke
Clink of coffee cups to you xx
At home today and the feet are frozen, can I moan about that too.
By the way you have this in the bag on the deadline, no better woman
Clink right back at you! Not sure about the deadline but then again, nothing like a bit of pressure for motivation!
Andrea Mara recently posted…Fixing the morning I broke
Not easy to row back from a bad start, and it must be a universal failing of children to not understand the urgency of being late. Hope your day improves and tomorrow you will get to start anew.
Life on Hushabye Farm recently posted…Interruptions
It is almost amusing to watch isn’t it. They really don’t understand urgency of any kind, nor can they read rising panic it seems. It’s kind of cute when viewed from a safe distance 🙂
Andrea Mara recently posted…Fixing the morning I broke
Some days seem to have broken themselves before you even get out of bed 🙁 The more I tell my children that we’re really late, the slower they seem to move. There’s no child-free time in the house here, but I often drag us all out for a ten-minute walk to clear the air and start over. Ugh to writing deadlines. I hope the coffee and virtual moan helped restore some productivity.
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The coffee and virtual moan definitely helped, and your ten minute walk would have been a very good idea too – I might try that next time, even if it’s just on my own!
Andrea Mara recently posted…Fixing the morning I broke
I totally hear you on that. Know you are not alone, Mama! Sometimes coffee is the best medicine. Enjoy that hot cup without a kid around, so you can actually drink it while it’s still hot. Next time treat yourself to a pastry as well!
I absolutely should have had a pastry to go with it – I’m wondering now if I need to organise a stash of treats to get ready for the chaotic mornings we (presumably) have ahead this week…
Andrea Mara recently posted…Fixing the morning I broke
Hope you are hanging in there this week! 🙂
That’s what the Internet was made for.
And we love it. And sometimes hate it, but mostly love it.
Andrea Mara recently posted…Fixing the morning I broke
And in time you will remember these mornings but thankfully your little ones wont.
Good luck with the final push with book number 2.