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A friend recently had another baby, and she felt such freedom when she got to go out for a little bit sans baby, and be a separate human being. It was just a few hours but it helped. That recharge of emotions, and energy to do the parenting gig.
I thought of other friends who are mothers who need that time now and then. Sometimes it might be a trip away for a week or so, or (when a baby is brand new) just going out for a drink and tacos but that time is so valuable. It wasn't like I needed to become a mother to understand how much my mom needed her time off now and then when I was growing up, but I think I gained a new appreciation for how healthy it was for her to have a weekend in Canada with a friend, or to take that road trip to Montana. Or that time when she went out in the snow for a few hours because she had been cooped up at home for two weeks with children who were either sick, or because of a blizzard.
I miss my kids when I am away from them, but I also have a great time and get to be this other person. Maybe that is something that needs to be respected culturally. A primary care-giving parent needs to be another person now and then. Even if they aren't getting paid for it. It benefits everyone.
I feel pretty damn lucky that I am given enough opportunity to do that.
I had a nice week with the kids. They were home for half-term, and we did very little but I think we enjoyed ourselves. I wanted it as loose and free as possible. There was a lot of lego, some halloween stuff, swimming with nana and cousins, and doing whatever. Everyone needs a week off now and then from uniforms, schedules, and getting socks on by a particular time. I really like this half-term jazz.
I thought of other friends who are mothers who need that time now and then. Sometimes it might be a trip away for a week or so, or (when a baby is brand new) just going out for a drink and tacos but that time is so valuable. It wasn't like I needed to become a mother to understand how much my mom needed her time off now and then when I was growing up, but I think I gained a new appreciation for how healthy it was for her to have a weekend in Canada with a friend, or to take that road trip to Montana. Or that time when she went out in the snow for a few hours because she had been cooped up at home for two weeks with children who were either sick, or because of a blizzard.
I miss my kids when I am away from them, but I also have a great time and get to be this other person. Maybe that is something that needs to be respected culturally. A primary care-giving parent needs to be another person now and then. Even if they aren't getting paid for it. It benefits everyone.
I feel pretty damn lucky that I am given enough opportunity to do that.
I had a nice week with the kids. They were home for half-term, and we did very little but I think we enjoyed ourselves. I wanted it as loose and free as possible. There was a lot of lego, some halloween stuff, swimming with nana and cousins, and doing whatever. Everyone needs a week off now and then from uniforms, schedules, and getting socks on by a particular time. I really like this half-term jazz.
