Thursday, August 23, 2012

Taking A Break

just moments before a kicking & screaming fight
Sometimes, just being can be overwhelming. Do you ever feel that way? I am a wife and stay at home mom. I take care of my children 24/7, except when they are sleeping (if they will sleep), and when I am in the shower. I do not get bathroom breaks. They always find me. I do 99% of the cooking and cleaning. 100% of the laundry and diapers. I put the kids to bed at night and for naps. I comfort, console, and treat my family when they are injured. I plan the meals and do the grocery shopping (with both kids). When either of the kids wakes up in the night from hunger or pain or bad dreams, they look for me. My husband no longer bothers trying to help. To be honest, he's not very helpful in the middle of the night anyway. I schedule all appointments for myself and the kids and attend them as well. I share a room with my 4 year old, not my husband, and sometimes sleep on the nursery floor with my 1 year old. My 1 year old is getting 4 molars in right now.
at the playground outside N's audiologist's office
I love my children, and I would love to have more children, but I am exhausted. Physically, mentally, and emotionally, I am drained. With my husband working from home, he's always around, but rarely available to help. It's nice that every so often I am able to whisk the kids off to stay with me at my parents' home. They have a huge house, property, no jobs, and no other grandkids. G and N are completely spoiled with attention here. I am (almost) completely ignored. I get to nap. I get to blog. I get to read. I get to recuperate. A week at my parents' house is a Calgon bath for me (for those of you old enough to know what I'm talking about).
driving around our neighborhood
Do you ever take mental health breaks? Do you feel guilty for it? I definitely feel like I come back a better mother and person overall. I need some occasional "me" time, and a twitter party once or twice a month just does not cut it for me.



2 comments:

  1. I take mental health breaks, and I never feel guilty about it. Everyone gets worn down. No one can deal with everything on their own, and they aren't meant to. If you're doing the bulk of the parenting with no breaks or assistance, you need some time away so that you can be HEALTHY enough to be a good mom.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for the supportive words. I have definitely been feeling overwhelmed lately, and I think my parenting has suffered from it.

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