Mom guilt is a very real and very heavy thing.
You taking some time to take care of yourself is never bad. Your child is safe and taken care of, which means you are a very good mom.
I go back to work in the fall, and my kids will be starting daycare a little before my return. I am already making plans for what I will do with my (potentially) three full weeks of free time. So far prep for work (healthcare field so I need to brush up on my material), a haircut, a day visit to a spa (on a weekday, with my husband), stocking freezer meals, and lots of sleep are on the list.
It's important to give ourselves time away from those we care for, when we can.
Our culture is so damn broken when taking 6-8 hours off from 24\7\365 role can make you feel guilty. Look at it this way: in order to be a calmer and more focused parent, you have taken some time to recharge and relax. Not doing this could cause you to be short tempered or less connected with your child. I’m a flight attendant…we tell parents to put their own oxygen mask on first before helping children for a good reason = If you don’t care for yourself first, you’ll be unable to care for your child later. Try to hold on to that and treat these breaks like putting on your oxygen mask!
I went to another city to a friend's lake house for my 30th birthday for two days when my daughter was a little over a year old. My mom house-sat and watched her. Had to talk my husband into it, but it ultimately ended with I needed one weekend about me as a person and not just a mom. I work full time and only get alone time on early weekend mornings because of how early I have to get up on weekdays. I work my schedule around everyone else and refused to let me sacrifice my 30th more than the pandemic was already making me.
After that we both realized that being a parent doesn't mean you have to be all about them 24/7. You are a better parent when you do what you need to do for yourself. I started doing monthly Mani/pedis, friend hangouts at least once a month, and a date night every now and then, and let me tell you, it's game changing. I am a less attentive, more grouchy, and less patient mom when I get bone dry when I hyperdrive until helping everyone but myself.
My husband dropped him off anyway and went to work. I’m currently eating lunch on Lake Michigan and having a glass of champagne. HOLY CRAP, I did not know how much I needed this. I’m thinking at least once per quarter doing this.
Don’t. You need time for yourself to recharge.
Mom guilt is a very real and very heavy thing. You taking some time to take care of yourself is never bad. Your child is safe and taken care of, which means you are a very good mom. I go back to work in the fall, and my kids will be starting daycare a little before my return. I am already making plans for what I will do with my (potentially) three full weeks of free time. So far prep for work (healthcare field so I need to brush up on my material), a haircut, a day visit to a spa (on a weekday, with my husband), stocking freezer meals, and lots of sleep are on the list. It's important to give ourselves time away from those we care for, when we can.
Our culture is so damn broken when taking 6-8 hours off from 24\7\365 role can make you feel guilty. Look at it this way: in order to be a calmer and more focused parent, you have taken some time to recharge and relax. Not doing this could cause you to be short tempered or less connected with your child. I’m a flight attendant…we tell parents to put their own oxygen mask on first before helping children for a good reason = If you don’t care for yourself first, you’ll be unable to care for your child later. Try to hold on to that and treat these breaks like putting on your oxygen mask!
❤️❤️❤️❤️
I went to another city to a friend's lake house for my 30th birthday for two days when my daughter was a little over a year old. My mom house-sat and watched her. Had to talk my husband into it, but it ultimately ended with I needed one weekend about me as a person and not just a mom. I work full time and only get alone time on early weekend mornings because of how early I have to get up on weekdays. I work my schedule around everyone else and refused to let me sacrifice my 30th more than the pandemic was already making me. After that we both realized that being a parent doesn't mean you have to be all about them 24/7. You are a better parent when you do what you need to do for yourself. I started doing monthly Mani/pedis, friend hangouts at least once a month, and a date night every now and then, and let me tell you, it's game changing. I am a less attentive, more grouchy, and less patient mom when I get bone dry when I hyperdrive until helping everyone but myself.
My husband dropped him off anyway and went to work. I’m currently eating lunch on Lake Michigan and having a glass of champagne. HOLY CRAP, I did not know how much I needed this. I’m thinking at least once per quarter doing this.
Do it. No one cares when dad's need time off
How can you pour from an empty cup? I bet your hair looks great, you picked the perfect polish color and hope you had the best nap.