I’m with my kids every day from the minute they wake up until the minute they go to bed. I love them with every part of me, of course, and adore being able to spend so much time with them. But that doesn’t mean I don’t need a break sometimes. I need an hour or two here and there where I’m not at the beck and call of little humans who need me to wipe their butt and force them to share.
But when I’m finally alone? It feels foreign and strange. Moms aren’t quite sure what do to with themselves. We’re suddenly Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights and we’re not sure what to do with our hands. Here are the thoughts I think every mom has when they’re finally all alone.
10 Thoughts Moms Have When They’re All Alone
1. I should probably run an entire months worth of errands right away. Do you know just how much you can get done in two hours when you aren’t helping children in and out of the car? If I go now I can get them all done and be free from errands all week long.
2. But I want to take a nap. I can run errands with kids, I can’t take a nap with them though, they’ll never allow it. So I should probably spend my free time catching up on my sleep. That makes more sense.
3. I wonder if they’re ok. It doesn’t take long for me to start to worry. Are they holding hands when they cross the street? Are they behaving? Did they eat their lunch? Do they miss me?
4. I wish they would come back. It always shocks me just how quick I am ready for them to come home. I think it’s because the feeling of being alone is so unfamiliar to me now that it makes me uncomfortable.
5. I should go walk around Target. Maybe shopping alone would be fun. Ooo, I could get a cake pop at Starbucks and not have to share! Or get a new dress! Or buy a new book and go home and read it! So many possibilities… This is gonna be fun.
6. Or I could go get a pedicure. I really need one. It’s relaxing and it’s sort of a necessity at this point so that’s a better option.
7. I think I’ll just sit in silence for a few minutes. It’s creepy, but kind of nice. Like going to the chiropractor. I’ll watch something stupid on TV and lay down on the couch in my sweatpants.
8. I need to get the dishes done. Ok fine, you did one chore. Now stop. This is your alone time, make the most of it! You won’t have this chance again for at least 17 more days, do not waste it.
9. I think I’ll take a bath. Why are these never as relaxing as they seem in my head? Yes the hot water feels nice but I can’t get comfortable, my neck hurts and I just don’t fit right. I’m constantly shifting around trying to make it work. I wonder how much a jacuzzi tub would cost.
10. Crap, they’ll be here in 20 minutes and I did nothing. Oh well, at least I got some quiet time and I didn’t pour one sippy cup of juice or make one peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Next time I’ll plan better…
You deserve to (and truly can) thrive as a mama! Organic Parenting can help. Get the Unconventional Guide to Vibrant Mamas and Thriving Kids.
Liz is a just a mom trying to keep it real about how little she sleeps, how often she gets puked on and how much she loves them. You can find her here every day writing about real-mom moments.
Leave a Reply