I have an introverted personality. It's not that I'm anti-social, it's simply that I MUST have alone time or at least quiet time to recharge. I love people - but instead of being energized by them as are extroverted individuals, I require rest periods for recharging.
Quietness is essential to my mental well-being.
I have done little physical work and nothing has been particularly demanding today. Yet, my name has been called practically every 5 seconds - no exaggeration. All of the requests from by my children and husband have been completely legitimate. But my brain is refusing to process anymore.
My girls also happen to be EXTREMELY vociferous. Have you ever listened to a 4 or 5 year old tell ONE story for TWENTY MINUTES straight without hardly stopping to breathe? I have. On several occasions. It's an exercise in will power.
My girls talk to me all day long. Asking questions, telling stories, just explaining what they are doing.
and I repeat: Quietness is essential to my well-being.
So, there are moments when my name is the last thing I want to hear. Maybe I can tune everything out for a minute or two, but it is impossible to tune out the repetitive call of your name. Suddenly my world breaks down, I break down. It's either run away or send them away or freak out. Plug my ears, plug in to the silence and recharge.
then I'll be happy and ready again to the face the kind of world where hearing three amazing voices call my name is the sweetest thing ever.
I can definitely relate to this. I've often said that I can spend an entire day by myself without talking to anyone and be perfectly content. I get so little alone time now that I cherish every second of it!
Posted by: Kate Coveny Hood | January 12, 2009 at 04:35 PM
I am also an introvert by nature and know what it is like to hear your child tell a story non-stop, when all you want to hear is quiet. With John it's usually a story about trains. It makes me thankful for the days when John's in afternoon preschool and Kara's napping. May you have a few moments to yourself in peace and quiet this week!! :-)
Posted by: allison | January 12, 2009 at 10:00 PM
this is why i struggle with the concept of having children. ha.
i do hope you get your alone time... i can understand what a struggle that is.
Posted by: sarah wiegand | January 13, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Oh yes. mine are the same. Mommy, mommy, mommy. I told them one day I was changing my name to Fred because the sound of mommy was like nails on a chalkboard by 7 p.m.
Posted by: Linda | January 14, 2009 at 01:20 PM