Should Moms Make Time for Themselves?
If you are mom, you have surely felt the “Mom Guilt” many moms of yesterday and today have felt. This particular guilt stems from wanting some time for just yourself. Have you been there? Ever wonder what it would be like to drink a coffee at a shop and maybe sitting down and reading a book while your there?
No mom should ever have to feel guilty about wanting just a little bit of time for herself but she does. Why? Probably because when our children come they are always our first priority so we feel guilty when we don’t want them with us. Truth is it isn’t that we don’t want them with us but we want to be us. You know that person hidden under the vomit, accident stains, unruly hair and no make up face. We want to chip off just a bit and see if it is really us that lays beneath it.
If you have a child and haven’t had the luxury of having a “time for yourself,” my suggestion to you is to do it. Tell the spouse you need to get out, even if it is only for an hour to go to the bookstore and do it. Don’t sit around waiting for it to happen, because before you know it time will pass. Sure you’ll be able to do it once they all start school but do you want to wait that long? The answer is no, yes, you’ll surely feel guilty but you’ll also get a renewed feeling. Trust me, you’ll make up for the time you’ve been away the moment you see your child.
If you get a time for yourself, would you mind listing your tips here?
Tags: breaks, mom guilt, moms, time for mom, time outRelated Stories
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4 opinions for Should Moms Make Time for Themselves?
Louie
Apr 8, 2008 at 11:00 am
After our first child was weaned I promised my wife that she could have one evening off every week. She said it sounded like a good idea when I pitched it, but in reality it wasan’t so hot. When her scheduled evening came around she would often be too tired to want to go out and since she was home anyway she tended to hang out with the baby and me. Even when she did go out she would quickly get bored being by herself (my wife is a very social person).
So we dropped the idea of a scheduled night out. Instead, I try to give her time off on an oppurtunity basis. If the local book club is discussing a book she likes then I encourage her to go. If she wants to shop then I will offer to let her go kid-free. If she has had a bad day then I will just offer to take the kids to the basement for a couple of hours while she reads her book.
Nikki
Apr 12, 2008 at 12:24 pm
With my first child I never took time for myself. Now that we have three I am out at least one night a week - whether it’s a board meeting for the parenting organization I serve on, or a night at Bunko - I need some time to myself!
cangel
May 6, 2008 at 9:43 am
Tnank you. I have been trying to tell this to the parents of the children I tutor. There is no need to feel guilty about taking time to refresh yourself. Then you can go back to family and children refreshed. I am sure they will appreciate it.
Trish
May 8, 2008 at 12:45 am
excellent post … I must try it. I feel guilty leaving my little boys.
The only place I have been is to twin club meeting alone.
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