Home from Home

so do we actually ever really grow up and leave home?

I've been to visit my mum this weekend, and it got me pondering the above question. I am a 28yr old divorcee, mother of three. (there that sounds very grown up!! doesn't it) I have been a Motorist for the past decade!!! (Christ that does sound grown up!!) I left school and got my first full-time job TEN YEARS AGO!!!!!!!! I have lived abroad and travelled to 3 different continents.

To look at me you would think (I hope) responsible adult.

Then I walk into my mothers house and I am transformed to a whiney 15yr old..............

let me explain. Here is my usual 'hi mum i'm home' routine.

I let myself in (something I don't do anywhere else but the home I live in full-time with my children)
we all dump our shoes and coats on the floor in the hallway and go up.
I check the fridge..... I have no idea why, i'm not hungry, I just like to look and at this point I may say something like......"why are there no yougarts!!!! URGH!!!"   (would I do this in any other house where I am not the bill payer? no, of course I wouldn't)

I then go through and say Hi to my mum (or just slump in a chair and look in her general direction) the kids have already trashed her lounge and got an army of toys strewn over the floor and cartoons on the tv.

It was at this point this weekend, I announced (not asked) that I was going up for a shower as mine has broken and I didn't fancy a bath last night. I leave her with my three little nightmares demanding drinks and crisps and just helping themselves to the fruit bowl. Again, they would not behave this way in anyone else's house.....But its nanny's house so its OK. Its generally accepted they live here too, as do I.

When I come down from my shower, I find them all watching Pirates of the Caribbean. Now I don't know about your house. But, We cant watch a film without some running debate about it going on.

I ask "which one is this?"
"its the first one"
"no its not its the third one"
"no, its the one with black beard in"
everyone else in unison "SHUT UP!!! ITS NOT!!"
"look, its the one with the flying Dutchman in, that's the third one!!"
"NO ITS NOT"

and so on, and on. No one bothers to check the TV guide to find out because then what would we talk through the entire film about?

mum feeds us all, and clears up. I bath the kids and put them in pjs from the stash of clothes my mum keeps at her house for them and then we drive Home. To our real home where I pay the bills!!

I generally pitch up at mums house about twice a week if not more. I never tell her i'm coming really, as it doesn't matter if she's in or not.

Will I ever feel that it is no longer my home? That I actually moved out 9yrs ago and do in fact live elsewhere?

I hope not!!!!!