When your name is the last thing you want to hear

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 was tired at the end of yesterday and very sore from being on my feet all day.  So, I deemed today a stay-at-home and rest day in order to prepare for a busy week ahead and listen to the demands of my pregnant body.  

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.

Comments

[Kate Coveny Hood]

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!

[allison]

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!! :-)

[sarah wiegand]

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.

[Linda]

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.