Julia asks where Evan is as soon as she wakes up in the morning. She talks about him coming home for supper all day long. She pretends to talk to him on the phone and tells the pretend Daddy on the end of the line that she loves him, misses him, and what we're having for dinner. She waits for me to tell her he's driving home so she can wait for him.
When Evan works later than normal, both girls start asking for him. If Evan won't be home till they are in bed, both girls are very sad. They like Evan. They find him amusing.
I read recently in a magazine (which one? I have no idea because I read it at the gym and then threw it away) that how a parent is greeted after being gone all day can make or break their mood for the rest of the day or even their mood on coming home in general.
It said how spouses who aren't even acknowledged when they walk in the door or are bombarded with negative remarks or tasks end up in a bad/angry/depressed mood. Spouses who are greeted with smiles and enthusiasm and excitement to see them tend to be happier to be coming home and in a better mood.
I realize that the above statements seem to be common sense. I also know that I either read this article in Redbook or Real Simple or Good Housekeeping (not necessarily medical journals), but that part of the article stuck with me.
We've always cheered the fact that Evan's coming home from work. It's something my mom used to do with us when my sister and I were little. She'd make a big deal about my dad coming home. We'd wait by the window and watch him pull up and greet him with ear-drum-burstings of "DADDY'S HOOOOOOOME!" that would make the dog bark with nervousness. My dad also would have us greet our mom the same way after she'd come home from running errands. It was fun (and loud). It's hard not to smile when you can hear your children's excitement at your arrival through the windows as you walk to the front door.
Granted, sometimes, when Julia was younger and my day had been terrible, Evan was greeted with tears more than smiles. I was so excited he was home (therefore giving me reinforcements against Julia the Terrible) that I just wept with joy and relief. I'm not too sure if that's a positive way to come home...probably not. I don't know because I was too busy blubbering to actually see Evan's reaction to this particular welcome. I shall try to smile through my tears in the future...
I know I like hearing happy voices greeting me after I've been gone.
It said how spouses who aren't even acknowledged when they walk in the door or are bombarded with negative remarks or tasks end up in a bad/angry/depressed mood. Spouses who are greeted with smiles and enthusiasm and excitement to see them tend to be happier to be coming home and in a better mood.
I realize that the above statements seem to be common sense. I also know that I either read this article in Redbook or Real Simple or Good Housekeeping (not necessarily medical journals), but that part of the article stuck with me.
We've always cheered the fact that Evan's coming home from work. It's something my mom used to do with us when my sister and I were little. She'd make a big deal about my dad coming home. We'd wait by the window and watch him pull up and greet him with ear-drum-burstings of "DADDY'S HOOOOOOOME!" that would make the dog bark with nervousness. My dad also would have us greet our mom the same way after she'd come home from running errands. It was fun (and loud). It's hard not to smile when you can hear your children's excitement at your arrival through the windows as you walk to the front door.
Granted, sometimes, when Julia was younger and my day had been terrible, Evan was greeted with tears more than smiles. I was so excited he was home (therefore giving me reinforcements against Julia the Terrible) that I just wept with joy and relief. I'm not too sure if that's a positive way to come home...probably not. I don't know because I was too busy blubbering to actually see Evan's reaction to this particular welcome. I shall try to smile through my tears in the future...
I know I like hearing happy voices greeting me after I've been gone.
Plus, how cute is it to see little faces looking for your car?
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