I love my kids, in more ways than I can even explain; but parenting is very overwhelming and taking a break from them makes me a better person and a better parent.
Wanting to take a break from my kids doesn’t make me a horrible parent either – in fact it’s the exact opposite.
We all need a break from things in our life, to just recoup and get our energy back.
Being with kids is no different; in fact it’s often more challenging because they legit rely on you for every single thing.
From wiping their bums, to feeding them food, to getting them to sleep. You’re their be-all-and-end-all.
We go from looking after ourselves, to being solely responsible for a human being. That shit can screw with your mind in more ways than one.
When they were little, getting my Mum to watch over the kids while I went to the supermarket was my break.
You have no idea how amazing it is being able to do a grocery shop and actually think and not worry about a child.
Even having my husband around to take the toddler / baby while I had a shower was considered a break for me. Heck even going to the toilet without them being in my face was a break.
Now that they’re a bit older, I’m fortunate enough to be able to send them away for the night to their Grandparents house, and by golly it’s the break I often need.
I smash out the housework, and then sit down and bask in the tidiness of the house knowing it’s not going to be ruined in five seconds.
I can have a shower and not worry the kids are fighting to the death; and when they were babies, I’d not worry about the baby crying. I still hear phantom cries when I’m in the shower and my kids are much older.
I can go to the toilet and not have a child scream at me “WHERE ARE YOU MUM!?” even though I told them where I was going 20 seconds earlier … OR have them burst in on you while you’re trying to poop …
At ages 6 and 8, my kids will still wait outside the toilet door for me and having them not there is a blessing haha
I watch a movie without being continuously interrupted by the screams of my children saying “Mum he’s looking at me” or “Mum I’m hungry”.
My husband and I can have an actual conversation about adult things without them being around.
I go to bed and don’t worry about them waking up in the middle of the night – oh golly the worry-free sleep is the best.
It’s really important that as parents we try and get this time to ourselves – in one way or another.
Whether you go for a walk, sit at home, get someone to take the kids for the night or WHATEVER.
Just because you want some time to yourself, away from your kids, doesn’t make you any less of a parent.
I find the time away gives me clarity – I can finally think straight again.
It also gives me a chance to feel like myself again for a moment. I can be me again; and for a small moment – it’s the best thing ever.
I can do things like go for a wee in peace, or tidy the house and have it be tidy for more than 10 minutes.
Of course, at the end of it all I bloody miss my kids haha
———–
