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Six weeks of holidays for the kids, two weeks off work for us parents - the maths doesn't work out, but at least we had some time with the family.
Except that by the end of Christmas week my husband was calling his holiday "16 days of weekend", and he counted down until we headed back to the reprieve of the office in early January.
Friends and family asked how we enjoyed the time off, and the best we could muster was a frown, a shrug and a sigh.
Life with small busy people to care for is intense. I liken it to being "in the trenches" sometimes, but was reminded that we're "not at war" and should be more grateful for the time we spend with our kids.
I know - they're only little once, Karen, but I'm only human* and juggling a LOT right now.
*I am grateful, I love my kids, I wouldn't change a thing about my family - but I'm also realistic and honest about the challenges.
I'm not alone in this feeling of overwhelm, and when schools reopened this week, parents across South Africa breathed a massive sigh of relief.
Celebs parents included.
Celebrating #backtoschool week Rachel Kolisi, mom of four, and wife of rugby champ Siya Kolisi, hilariously recreated a viral pic of a mom lounging in the pool, watched by her despondent kids in their fresh school uniforms.
As they say, a picture says a thousand words:
Michelle Gildenhuys, mom of four boys and wife of local celeb Emo Adams, expressed similar sentiment, perhaps more succinctly, in a reply to a a comment on an Instagram post.
In the post, she says she's grateful for the time she got to spend with her boys, but is "so ready" to get them back to school. When asked by a fan how she handles four "little men" she replies "Oh they are driving me insane! It’s an absolute sh*t storm on a good day."
I only have two, so I can only imagine how hectic it must be for her.
But then she revealed, to another fan, that "I’ve also been back at work, just had all four boys in my office! It’s been a crazy!"
All I can say is: Hats off to you, mom.
And also, any tips for a fellow working mom?
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