We hear all the time about our children getting a Time Out
for bad behavior. Some parents have their child sit in the corner, some have
them face the wall, some have them go to their room (where I am sure that they
are not sitting and reflecting on what they actually did wrong) some, like me,
actually have this cute time out bench and timer.
But what do we do when WE need a time out?
A mental break from being a mommy, a wife, a teacher, a citizen of this society and world. How do we steal away those precious moments that help us regain our composure and perspective? Especially when we have a husband asking what’s for dinner, a child fussing because he wants you to hold him, your mother (though she means well) asking you how you fold your laundry when it would take more time to explain how you fold it then just doing it yourself or having her do it her own way.
Quite frankly, I get very ill (aka not a nice person) if I don’t get some time out time everyday. Sometimes, I am just like, I am done. My brain, my body can’t process anymore. I lock myself in the bathroom, run a hot bath, grab a good book, a good drink (my favorite right now is strawberry kiwi Ice with a splash or two of pineapple and some fresh strawberries). Oh my goodness, it is to die for. AND it is alcohol free! For a little color, I add a smidgen of Sugar Free Torani raspberry syrup. Then, I steal my time. I am talking I really steal my time by taking it away from other things-especially after the little guy is in bed.
I take a T.O. for me. If I don’t, I feel like a crap teacher, mother and wife. We all need a little break. Even if it is for 15, 10, even 5 minutes. Even if it is walking to the mailbox, taking a hot bath, making that drink, searching online for a cute dress that might make you feel like a hottie again instead of just some little guy's mommy.
Sometimes, mommies have the bad reputation of making other mommies feel badly. Why? Why do we do this to one another? Sometimes, my own mother makes me feel that way. It is like nothing I do is ever good enough. Again, why?
Isn't our job hard enough already? Why do we have to reduce ourselves to our 12 and 13 year old drama queen selves by comparing us to others and listing all the things we do better than another mom or that another mom does something better than we do. In this Pinterest laden, Facebook, Twitter world the competition to be super mom is fierce. I am one to say, I don't want to compete. I don't want to tear down other mommies who are just trying to do the same job that I am doing-raise my child.
We criticize over the laundry, the dishes, the way we are rearing our children, what we do in our spare time, the fact that we go to the gym instead of spending time with our kids, the fact that we go out on dates with our spouses instead being with our kids, and so many other things. Can’t we just cut each other a little slack?
Seriously you all, I don't want to appear in an episode of MEAN GIRLS-except all the girls are not girls but women who just want to be overly catty to one other and overly critical of everything that another mommy does that is not exactly the same as "the group" or the "norm" or even that one person.
The pressure to be perfect is paramount. If I don't throw my son this kind of birthday party then I am not a good mom, or if I don't breastfeed then my son will not be as smart, if I do a cry it out bedtime then my son will be unattached. (Effff) Really? None of that is true. Everyone has their own little quirks-whether you are the brainiac maniac, or the organic green godess,or the Foody Freaker, or the Lactation Activist, or the Opinionator, or the Living Camera Lens, or Face in the Phone mommy...we are all different. We are all just trying to do our job at raising our children. I don't know about you...BUT...
I am NOT freaking Martha Stewart.
I am not a Stepford Wife.
I am Jone, mother to Korbin and wife of Jeffrey.
I do things my own way, in my own time. I am not perfect and don’t ever plan to be.
But if you are, please, please leave me a note with sure fire directions on how to be perfect and I’ll do it just for you.
But what do we do when WE need a time out?
Motherhood: A Balancing Act Part 3-
A Mommy Time Out
A mental break from being a mommy, a wife, a teacher, a citizen of this society and world. How do we steal away those precious moments that help us regain our composure and perspective? Especially when we have a husband asking what’s for dinner, a child fussing because he wants you to hold him, your mother (though she means well) asking you how you fold your laundry when it would take more time to explain how you fold it then just doing it yourself or having her do it her own way.
Quite frankly, I get very ill (aka not a nice person) if I don’t get some time out time everyday. Sometimes, I am just like, I am done. My brain, my body can’t process anymore. I lock myself in the bathroom, run a hot bath, grab a good book, a good drink (my favorite right now is strawberry kiwi Ice with a splash or two of pineapple and some fresh strawberries). Oh my goodness, it is to die for. AND it is alcohol free! For a little color, I add a smidgen of Sugar Free Torani raspberry syrup. Then, I steal my time. I am talking I really steal my time by taking it away from other things-especially after the little guy is in bed.
I take a T.O. for me. If I don’t, I feel like a crap teacher, mother and wife. We all need a little break. Even if it is for 15, 10, even 5 minutes. Even if it is walking to the mailbox, taking a hot bath, making that drink, searching online for a cute dress that might make you feel like a hottie again instead of just some little guy's mommy.
 |
| My first real evening out for a birthday party! |
Sometimes, mommies have the bad reputation of making other mommies feel badly. Why? Why do we do this to one another? Sometimes, my own mother makes me feel that way. It is like nothing I do is ever good enough. Again, why?
Isn't our job hard enough already? Why do we have to reduce ourselves to our 12 and 13 year old drama queen selves by comparing us to others and listing all the things we do better than another mom or that another mom does something better than we do. In this Pinterest laden, Facebook, Twitter world the competition to be super mom is fierce. I am one to say, I don't want to compete. I don't want to tear down other mommies who are just trying to do the same job that I am doing-raise my child.
We criticize over the laundry, the dishes, the way we are rearing our children, what we do in our spare time, the fact that we go to the gym instead of spending time with our kids, the fact that we go out on dates with our spouses instead being with our kids, and so many other things. Can’t we just cut each other a little slack?
Seriously you all, I don't want to appear in an episode of MEAN GIRLS-except all the girls are not girls but women who just want to be overly catty to one other and overly critical of everything that another mommy does that is not exactly the same as "the group" or the "norm" or even that one person.
The pressure to be perfect is paramount. If I don't throw my son this kind of birthday party then I am not a good mom, or if I don't breastfeed then my son will not be as smart, if I do a cry it out bedtime then my son will be unattached. (Effff) Really? None of that is true. Everyone has their own little quirks-whether you are the brainiac maniac, or the organic green godess,or the Foody Freaker, or the Lactation Activist, or the Opinionator, or the Living Camera Lens, or Face in the Phone mommy...we are all different. We are all just trying to do our job at raising our children. I don't know about you...BUT...
I am NOT freaking Martha Stewart.
I am not a Stepford Wife.
I am Jone, mother to Korbin and wife of Jeffrey.
I do things my own way, in my own time. I am not perfect and don’t ever plan to be.
But if you are, please, please leave me a note with sure fire directions on how to be perfect and I’ll do it just for you.
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