A Different View?

So here's me feeling ever so sorry for myself.

I go out to work for the sole purpose of keeping a roof over our heads, food on the table and everyone warm and clothed. I don't get anything for myself -- no treats, no indulgences, and definitely no thanks. The home is awash with buggies, trikes, toys, muslins, baby unctions, nappies, baby and toddler clothes and clutter.

Also, I have absolutely no control of this domestic situation. The home is run by two small children and a wife who sets the rules according to the needs of the kids. Indeed, the smaller, the more vocal and needy the person, the higher up the pecking order they are.

I can't properly dress myself in the morning, so as not to disturb the baby. I can't undress myself at all when I come home, so as not to disturb the baby. I can't listen to music, watch TV or flush a toilet -- so as not to disturb the baby. I can't eat dinner with my wife, because the baby cries for two and a half hours every evening and we take it in turns to sooth him. He won't settle until she goes to bed, and even then there's no guarantee that he'll sleep until it's past 10:00pm.

Forget about going out, going to football, staying-up late, watching a movie, having a quiet beer with a mate or having a lie-in. These simple leisure activities are impossible. And my dog is in semi-permanent banishment from the home, on extended vacation in the country.

I compromise my career by leaving home later in the mornings to administer wake-ups and breakfast, and by leaving the office early to get home in time to cover the eldest while the youngest is put to bed (only to wail for the rest of the evening).

All this chaos -- with no hope of control or sign of an end -- is making me tetchy, moody and really rather gloomy.

Oh, poor, poor me..

But let's look at this from another angle.

I have a wonderful family which adores me, and I them.

I have a loving wife who's taken me on when many would run a mile, is my best friend and favourite person on the planet.

My first boy is the light of my life and I'm devoted to him and receive enormous joy at his every action, utterance and development. We are as thick as thieves and my time with him is the happiest I have.

My second boy is growing fast and while more sensitive than his brother, is really rather endearing. He won't wail for ever and will soon fall into a routine upon which we can all adjust to and establish our own normalcy. I can't wait to see him grow and develop and look forward to spending a lot more 'us' time together -- and with his brother.

I also have a very good job that pays me well and affords me both the flexibility to attend to the needs of my family and enables us to live in a lovely house, and in relative financial and ambient comfort.

OK, I miss my dog, but she's impossibly happy in the exclusive care of my father, enjoys lots of long country walks, indulgent visits to doting aunts and playtime with my adorable niece and nephew.

I don't watch TV until everyone's in bed anyway, and there's frequently little on worth watching. Plus I get enough of what do want to watch on-demand and most Chelsea matches are broadcast on TV. Music is enjoyed with headphones. I'm too tired to stay up late, and anyway, lie-ins aren't essential if I'm not up too late.

When we're all in a predictable routine in a month or so, we can have a babysitter and go out occasionally. And time with friends just needs a bit of planning -- and I was never very spontaneous anyway.

We all have bad days, but mustn't lose sight of what's really important and where our priorities really lie.

So, half empty or half full?