It was their last day on the lake. Of course, as they were packing the car to leave, the sun decided to peek out. It had rained the entire weekend. The triplets were restless, spending the last two days trapped indoors, running back and forth over their heads. She’d finally given in and let them sit in front of the television for nearly eight hours yesterday. The activities she planned to occupy them were useless. Arts and crafts, books, board games. The boys had only fidgeted in their seats, alternating between smacking each other and declaring how bored they were. “I’m a bad mother,” she whispered.
Her husband started taking suitcases out of the trunk. “No sense in letting this day go to waste.” He rubbed her cheek. “One more day.”
“One more day.” She smiled.
The fog in her brain lifted as she watched her husband and sons playing football on the lawn from the back porch. James, her oldest by one minute, tossed the ball to her.
“Mommy! Come and play!”
Inspired by Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers!
Jennifer Terry 
She’s not a bad mom at all!
I agree. I just think moms are too hard on themselves sometimes.
I know… been there, done that… kids still love to be around me, so I’m pretty sure I’m doing something right. 😉
🙂
That’s wonderful they were able to salvage a little bit of their holiday! Great story! She isn’t a bad mother, they just needed to do some rough games with their dad. Thank you for participating in Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers Challenge.
I agree! Thanks so much for reading.
Great story! I’m glad they had that one more day.
Thanks!
Nice description of a family and kids with cabin fever.
Thanks!
I agree with Deborah — you give a great description of what it feels like to have cabin fever. Stupid rain! I could totally feel the mother’s relief when they finally had one sunny day and their vacation was saved.
Thanks, being trapped in the house as a kid on vacation was the worst! Just tried to put myself in my poor mom’s shoes!
It’s hard enough on adults when a vacation is not what you had in mind and seems wasted, but having children involved makes it even harder to deal with. Great example of things going all wrong and a last chance to be able to salvage something good out of the vacation. 🙂
Thank you!
It’s miserable when a planned holiday didn’t turn out the way we wanted. Glad they have one more day! Great story! 🙂
Thank you
Good story. You were able to portray the feeling of the mom, dad and kids in so few words. Well done. 🙂
Thank you!
I love this story! A wonderful glimpse of a holiday gone wrong. She’s not a bad mother at all – and she’s definitely got her hands full with triplets! I’m glad they got to enjoy one day of their holiday out doors. 🙂
Thanks