Woman in Shower by bfraz flickr

Ah,  the luxuries of showering, or bathing for that matter.  Easing the tention, soothing one’s bones.  So many people take their showering moments for granted.  I am not one of those people. 

I have four school-aged children. Need I say more? 

Oh sure, there are mothers out there with quite a few more children.  In fact I’m finding that I am definitely not alone in the fact that I have four; seems my generation and those right before me are on a roll when it comes to child-bearing.  But I can still tell you, it is quite a struggle, and mine aren’t even that bad… I don’t think.  I may pull that last comment. lol.

At any rate, having the time, let alone the gumption, to experience the wonders of showering, is a coveted thing to me.  I’m assuming it is to many mothers. 

I remember there was a time, so many years ago, when I said to myself and my future husband, “that will not be me.”  I didn’t understand how any woman could go out and about looking like death warmed over, let alone smelling like it.  (No I never smelled a bad smelling mom, but you get the picture.)  Somewhere past the fourth child, however, I was forced to take back those words.

My children are aged 5-12.  Kindergarten to seventh grade.  They go to three different schools.  One has no bus (it is private) for picking up students, who are literally coming in from all over the area, some an hour’s drive.  And because of the driving schedule, I can’t let my youngest take the bus, which quite frankly is more trouble than it’s worth as I’ve discovered from my experiences last year.  So I am driving, chauffeuring, whatever you want to call it, with children for one and a half hours each way, each day.  This does not include having to go back to school to drop off forgotten items, or having to go in for accidents (thank goodness the latter is few and far between which is more than I can say for the forgetfulness).  At any rate, most of my time is spent waiting, or going back home and leaving, going back home and leaving - no, I am not being redundant here. 

You see, the times each school starts is not back to back.  Sure, I don’t have to be at two places at the same time (wipes brow), but still.  And can you imagine the amount of gas I use up? 

Needless to say, by the time I’m done, I’m exhausted. I haven’t showered before drop-off, and by the time I get home, I can honestly say that showering is one of the furthest things from my mind—though it would probably make me feel so much better, not to mention wake me up a bit.  Taking a shower the night before is a lovely thought, but I’m usually beat out by the rest of them while I’m double checking homework and papers, yes, always seems like there is something to sign, something to write a check for.  Besides which, I can’t say I necessarily stay fresh throughout the night. 

So where do I fit in? 

Showerless untill some odd part of the day.