Bedtime Story 26/9/2018)

As adults, we're well aware that sometimes, life can tend to bog us down a little, with loads to do and seemingly not enough time to do it.  But we forget that it can be that way for kids too!  So, this story is all about that feeling of having a little too much to do and not enough time to do it all!

You can also choose to listen to me reading this story.

Busy Betsy

It was Sunday night and Betsy hadn't finished her homework, yet.  Usually, she liked to get it all over and done with on a Friday evening, but her grandparents had been visiting for the weekend and she simply hadn't found the time.  So, with less than an hour to go until bedtime, she found herself hurrying to get it done before she went to sleep.

"What shall we get Hermione for her birthday?"  Mum suddenly asked, interrupting Betsy's thoughts.  

Betsy looked up from her school book.  "Um...  Isn't her birthday a couple of weeks away?"

Mum shook her head.  "It's on Wednesday," she said.  "And you're going to her birthday party next Saturday, so we'll need to pop to the shops one afternoon after school."

Betsy chewed on the end of her pencil.  She'd have  to ask Hermione what she wanted for her birthday at school the next day, then go to the shops with Mum, get a present and a card, write the card, wrap the present and then think about what she was going to wear to the party.

But first, she needed to finish her homework.

Betsy decided to try not to think too much about the "to-do" list that was forming in her head.  

"Hey, Bets?"  Her brother wandered into the room.  "Remember you said you'd help me put together that new Lego model?  Well, we can do it after school tomorrow, if you like?"

Betsy looked up.  If she helped her brother tomorrow, maybe she'd have to do that, instead of going to the shops with Mum.  She let out a short sigh.  So, she'd have to ask Hermione about what she wanted for her birthday, write it down somewhere so she remembered it, help her brother with his model, go to the shops with Mum another day, get a present and a card, write the card, wrap the present and then think about what she was going to wear to Hermione's birthday party.

But first, she still needed to finish her homework.

"That's a nice picture you're drawing," Dad said, nodding at the table as he walked past.  "Did you finish making a get well card for Uncle Simon?"

Betsy's eyes widened.  She'd started a card for her uncle, who was going to hospital to have an operation, but she hadn't finished it, yet.  And his operation was in a couple of days!

She bit her lip.  Perhaps she could get his card finished tomorrow, after she'd helped her brother with his model?!  She held her head in her hands.  So, she'd have to ask Hermione about what she wanted for her birthday, write it down somewhere so she remembered it, help her brother with his model, make Uncle Simon's card, go to the shops with Mum another day, get a present and a card, write the card, wrap the present and then think about what she was going to wear to Hermione's birthday party.

And she still hadn't finished her homework.

"Are you alright, Betsy?"  Dad asked, spotting the anxious look on her face.

Betsy managed to nod and offer a feeble smile.

"Phew," Dad grinned.  "I thought you might be coming down with something.  And you don't want to get poorly right before the concert.  I heard you practising your song on the piano the other day.  It's sounding lovely!"

Betsy gulped.  Her school were having a concert to show off what everyone had been learning in their music lessons and it was happening on Tuesday night!  So, that was surely another day she couldn't go to the shops with Mum.  She took a deep breath...

So, she'd have to ask Hermione about what she wanted for her birthday, write it down somewhere so she remembered it, help her brother with his model, make Uncle Simon's card, practise for the concert, go to the shops with Mum another day, get a present and a card, write the card, wrap the present and then think about what she was going to wear to Hermione's birthday party.

And she still hadn't finished her homework.

"Betsy, you look ever so pale," Mum said, suddenly.  "Dad's right, you do look a bit like you might be coming down with something..."

"I've got too much to do!"  Betsy cried, throwing her hands into the air and scattering pencils across the table.  "There are all these little jobs I have to get finished and I'm sleepy and it's nearly bedtime and I still haven't finished my homework!"

Mum put her arm around Betsy's shoulders.  "It's alright," she told her.  "Sometimes, you have to sort things into order of importance.  Your homework is due in tomorrow, so that's the most important thing right now.  Everything else can wait."

Betsy stared up at her mum with tired eyes.  "But I still need to do all those other things..."

"That's where family and friends come in handy," Mum replied.  "If things are getting too much, you should always ask for help!"

"You don't have to help me with my model, if you have other stuff to do," her brother said.  "Or I can help you with Uncle Simon's card?  We'll get it done quicker if we work together and maybe there will be time to get the model done, too!"

Dad nodded.  "And remember, some of the jobs you have to do are fun!  Choosing an outfit for Hermione's party, for example.  Try not to worry about things like that, just enjoy them.  And if you really can't enjoy them, because of all the other things you've got going on, it's okay to take some time for yourself and worry about everything else later."

Betsy felt her shoulders slowly getting lighter.  "Thanks."

Mum glanced at the clock.  "Ready for bed?"  

Betsy chuckled.  "Well, in a minute," she smiled.  "I'm feeling much better about all the jobs I've got to do this week and I'm excited for Hermione's party, but I can't go to bed just yet."

"Why not?"  Mum asked.

Betsy grinned.  "Because I've still got to finish my homework..."

THE END