And what else?

Of all that Paige says, I think this is her favorite phrase.

“What did you do today mom?” Oh, I washed dishes, took the dogs on a walk, ran errands. “And what else?”

“What’s for dinner?” Chicken, applesauce, and veggies. “And what else?”

The question is harmless but after a while it grates on me.

What are you doing all day? Writing, taking care of the girls, crafting.

And what else?

What are your life goals? Surviving solo parenting.

And what else?

“And what else” sometimes seems like a harmless kid question and other times seems like a strong judgement of character.

Why isn’t what I just said enough?

I give all I have to my kids emotionally, and usually it’s just not enough. It’s definitely sapped out by the end of the day. Peace out, time for bed, mom’s off duty now! Yes, thank you, I love you too, now get back in bed!

Hearing that question “and what else?” it’s like a drum beating over and over again on my brain. Or maybe that’s just echoing the Dr. Who episodes I just watched. Over and over, “and what else, and what else?”

The answer is what I tell Paige when I’ve told her the dinner menu- there is nothing else. I’ve given all of it. I’ve done all of it. I need to rest too, and I’m only one person. I’m only one person, there is nothing else.