WHAT??? Time for yourself?

This morning I was running with a friend who is the mother of a 2 year old and expecting her second. We were discussing her work schedule and whether or not she would continue to work while the 2 year old was in preschool 2 days.  She is contemplating maybe getting a nanny type person to take her son to school and pick him up.  Her husband thinks, even if she doesn't work the full day, she should still take the time for herself.  What?? My friend admitted that the other day she had actually taken a little time for herself.  Rather than a feeling of relaxation, she felt guilt.  Yes guilt.

When my children were still at home I thought I had to be super mom.  I worked full time teaching but when my feet hit the house, I transformed into super mom. No one was going to accuse me of not being a good mother just because I worked!  No sir!  On the surface I loved it. But I was stressed.  My husband would tell me to join a gym or run or do something.  I tried to explain that I didn't have time, I was a mom, had homework, laundry, meals, cleaning and, and, and.  One day he said, Our family would be better off if you WOULD take some time for yourself!  Ouch!  But he was right.  I needed time to refuel, recharge so I could be a better mom.  My kids would survive an hour without me.

Our society tries to get all moms to believe they can do it all, stay home, work from home, always have clean laundry, an immaculate house and make homemade ornaments for everyone in their extended family.  Oh and look beautiful the entire time. You can't.

In fact, you need to take time for yourself.   Your child needs you to.  Your child needs to be around other children 1-2 times a week without you hovering.  Your child needs to learn how to play with others not only to share but to learn how to problem solve.  Your child needs to learn how to 'be' without mom in eyesight. It will make the transition to school so much easier.  Sometimes when kids have had mom's 100% attention 100% of the time, they come to believe they have that with every adult in every situation.  Learning to wait your turn to talk is hard.

Now if you really want to be crazy, take time each week or every couple of weeks for you and your husband...no kids!  I promise your kids will survive.