I'm sure I'm dating myself, but who remembers that 1980s movie with Steve Martin called Parenthood? There were some other great actors in there too, Martha Plimpton, Keanu Reeves, Diane Weist. It was one of my favorite movies of the time. Might even be one of my favorite movies of all time. Anyway, there is a scene I remember where Steve Martin is having a moment, he's looking around at the chaos that is his life and the sound of a roller coaster is playing in the background in reference to a conversation he had with his supposedly senile mother about what parenthood is like. The ups and the downs, the laughter and tears, etc.

I've been recalling that scene a lot lately. It's been almost 3 years since me and the wife got messy in a real session (which for me is buckets of cake batter). Sure, a few plates of shaving cream here and there, trying to keep it positive, but I can't tell you the number of times I've bought a stack of cake batter boxes only to toss them after six months of sitting on the shelf in a fit of hopelessness because we canceled yet another session for a toddler ear infection or random bout of screaming.

Every time I leave the check-out with a bag full of cake batter I hear the sound of the roller coaster as it nears the peak of the track, everybody having fun in anticipation, can't wait for what's next. then I hear the screams of horror five or six months later after I toss them in the trash thinking our WAM life is surely over.

And then I just had a random moment that made me want to post this. Our local grocery store (Kroger) has these cookies, The ones in the picture. Birthday cake cookies is what they are called, and I swear to God the first bite brings a taste and a smell to mind of the very first pour of the first bucket of cake batter. It is eerie how powerful your senses are for triggering memories!

Oh man, I hope I don't have to wait until our 10th anniversary to have some fun again. Any parents out there that feel me, give me some hope and love, ha ha ha.

Thanks for reading. Appreciate you guys.

Hey,

Ahhh man, that's a great film!

As a Mum of a now 6 year old, what I can tell you is "adult time" does return, maybe not to the consistency that it was, but when it does happen you tend to make more of it, truly appreciate it and ultimately it brings you closer.

Just don't put any pressure on yourself and certainly not your partner, you may not talk about it, but they'll be missing " feeling adult" too, and you will still be a bigger priority than they make themselves.

We had our first weekend away without a reason this summer, and it was amazing!
Hang in there buddy, and talk to your partner, communication is always the answer

Peace xx

While I'm not a parent I have been a co-parent. It makes planning interesting. We've had any number of plans rearranged due to unexpected child-issues. Phone calls from school just as dinner arrived at a restaurant, children unexpectedly sending themselves home from school just as we got back into bed, illness, cancelled babysitters, sudden announcements of required homework, fancy dress for school, presents for a birthday party they'd forgotten to mention. It's hard; many, many things get in the way, and you've got to search hard for opportunities, make the most of them and deal with disappointments and interruptions.

Even with all that we managed around 5 kids, all of different ages, to have a reasonable amount of time alone, play, and intimacy over the years. It gets easier as they get older and more independent, though the challenges do change as they get grow and notice things or change their activity patterns.

I'm #teamnobabiesforlife. Got myself snipped a few years back and with only blanks in the chambers I've got no worries ahead This is especially important as a roller coaster enthusiast since I like to hit Disneyland or six flags at least monthly.. couldn't do without that clickety clack

I wouldn't feel bad, hang in there, its not just kids that can delay some fun, life in general gets in the way sometimes. We have no kids just a dog but people get sick, busy, work and house work things in general get in the way but when it does happen I feel like it makes it soooo much better!

Hey Dude,

This might be painfully obvious, but couldn't you and Mrs. Dude have a friend or family member babysit while you two go to a nice hotel to get your wam freak on, spend the night and have a nice brunch the next day (pinky bet agreement that you don't talk about the kids the entire time).

This is pretty basic Dr. Phil 101 shit, but those small escapes and the occasional date night are critical to staying connected.

Mrs Bee and I just made sure we got a babysitter who wouldn't drop acid or worship the devil and everything turned out all right!

Good luck. BTW, it will all go by very quickly even though it probably doesn't feel like it now and there will be much about this time period you'll miss.

Man.... how I can relate... get everything purchased, kids asleep, coolwhip thawed, plastic is out. Taking the last pie shell out at 1:00 in the morning. Your ready to call the Doctor because a commercial told you to if you've had an erection for more than 4 hrs, and 3 and a half hours went by. Your wife is hot and bothered by the protruding wet spot on your jeans.. then you hear "dad I dont feel so :HURLLLL:"

As irritating as it is, it will pass. It will get better, and you'll get smarter and better at fitting it in. Listen to bigshipper. He knows what's up.

Ironic that now I spend my time "get out of the puddle" "no, don't put that in your hair girl" seem to be the conversations I have.

I have adult children and the youngest moved out last summer. Just when you think you're alone, the door unexpectedly opens and your son may see the surprise of his life! Especially when he doesn't know my dark secret.

He actually walked in a few hours after I had my husband blindfold, naked, and bound on the middle of the living room floor. It was pretty close!

No, I'm not taking away his key but I reminded him to be careful if the door is locked! LOL!