. . . nothing will shine the spotlight on one's character flaws as harshly and relentlessly as will parenting.
Part of it is that I need alone time to recharge. And I do get alone time. On Mondays I drop off Chickadee at dance class at 3:00 and I don't have to pick Dandy up until 3:15, so there is 10-12 minutes of solitude right there.
When I don't get enough recharging time I find that I create alone-time even when the kids are around, and I don't create it in healthful ways. I am distant and unavailable during parts of the day. HUH? This from a woman seeped in attachment-parenting reading? From a woman whose heart's desire was to be a Mama?
Anyway, I'm reading lots of Mama blogs and lots of Christian Mama blogs to rev myself up for the kinder and gentler and more fully present Mama campaign. I ran across this helpful post over at MommyCoddle:new growth.
What blogs do you read for parenting wisdom? If you are new to this blog, you may want to know that even though I have only been a mom for six months, my children are 5 and 7 years old. That story is told over at Jamie And Suzanne Go To Russia, At Last.
4 comments:
I think this is something as moms we all go through. Especially those of us who are stay at home moms. I find it particularly difficult because we were married for 10 years prior to having children and for the last 3 I didn't work outside the home. I had all day every day to myself. Now my days are filled as sole caregiver to my child. I can't even go to the bathroom alone. We work so hard on attachment that we tend to overlook our own needs. While in the short term this is a good thing, the long term results can be devastating on our families and personal sanity.
The point is, it is ok to take time for yourself. Don't think that you are going to damage your children if you do so.
I do the same thing sometimes. I just need a break for a little while. So, I make the kids play outside or something while I catch my breath. There's nothing wrong with it. I agree with Elle, our needs are important. I am an introverted personality and I MUST have time alone to recharge. It has to happen or I am not an effective parent. And let's face it, no one can be a perfect parent for 12 hours straight while the kids are up. I hope to be one 50% of the time. Some days I only hit 10%.
I do the same thing sometimes. I just need a break for a little while. So, I make the kids play outside or something while I catch my breath. There's nothing wrong with it. I agree with Elle, our needs are important. I am an introverted personality and I MUST have time alone to recharge. It has to happen or I am not an effective parent. And let's face it, no one can be a perfect parent for 12 hours straight while the kids are up. I hope to be one 50% of the time. Some days I only hit 10%.
Suz, are you a Love And Logic fan? I am. I won't drone on and on, but do think it's a good fit for my personality. It might suit you, too. How about Dobson's books?
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