Finding Some “Me Time”

Making the choice to home-school or as I have recently grown fond of calling it, “un-school”, meant spending a lot of time with my children. As a core value of mine, I believe children need a lot of attention from caregivers and children deserve that time and attention. However, any parent and many people who do not have children of their own understand how difficult and demanding raising children can be and it takes a lot of energy. So all day every day, I am constantly meeting the needs of my children. And I often joke that the universe gave me very “needy” children. I open my eyes many mornings to two sets of eyes looking back at me, and the stares are sometimes accompanied by hard baby hand slaps to my face. And from that moment until the moment I close my eyes again is constant action. I’m changing diapers, wiping butts, doing laundry, cooking food, teaching, singing, dancing, hugging, kissing, breastfeeding, dog-walking, cleaning, supporting, peace-making, and the list goes on and on. Even my trips to the toilet and showers are accompanied by children and the dog.

Needless to say, finding a quiet moment alone is nearly impossible. And I am an introvert so prior to becoming a mother, I loved having quiet moments alone. So when Von gets home, I feel the greatest sense of relief. Having a partner to share some responsibilities with is a treasure. I had a hair appointment last week and I ran to the car and relished in the moments to myself for the next couple of hours. I could finally hear my own thoughts without interruption. Ahhh…what a feeling.

The crazy and most beautiful thing about parenting is that I missed those kids, that man, and that dog so much by the end of the night. And just as quickly as I ran out of the house, I ran back to the house. There is no greater feeling than the unconditional love that I feel from my family. And I have to remind myself that the children will be older one day and not want to accompany me to the bathroom. They may move away one day, and our interactions might become fewer and fewer. And that thought breaks my heart. So I’m going to continue to enjoy this crazy life and also put some “Me Time” in now and again as well.