I heard someone ask about how HS parents are able to get in their "me time" on a a home school web page and it got me thinking about what my "me time" is. For me, "me time" means going to the bathroom with the door locked. It means taking a shower for long enough to shave BOTH legs. The shower is great because when the kids try to come talk to me, all I hear is "wa,wa,wa,waaa,waah.....MOMMY!!!!!!""wa,wa,wa,waaa,waah.....MOMMY!!!!!!"
It may be the only time I ever get to myself.
Really.
Don't feel bad for me because this is my own doing. I believe there are seasons in life and, with a four month old who nurses several times a day, it's his time right now. I know that as his needs for me become less urgent, I will be able to fit in more time for myself. As a HS parent, I think it's crucial that you give yourself the gift of "me time". I don't mean a day at the spa kind of "me time". I mean that you carve out quiet times in your schedule so that you can find some peace. If that means a nap in the afternoon while your older children read quietly in their room, then so be it. If that means enforcing an earlier bedtime so that you and your hubby have some time alone, than all the better!
I have asked a slew of veteran home school parents what their secret was to finding balance in their life with the children with them all the time and the most frequent response I get is a chuckle, along with the phrase "it's a work in progress". The truth is, most of us strive to find balance so that life will run smoothly. However, from what I can tell, it's something you aim for. I don't even think this is a problem among only HS parents. I think this is a parenting issue. As moms, we have a tendency to want to do it all and if there isn't much left over for ourselves, well, we are willing to accept that. I keep saying to myself that I will wake up at 5:00am and go for a quick walk before the children wake up. It seems like a FANTASTIC idea at midnight, when I finally roll into bed. I even go so far as to set out my workout clothes and shoes to make it easier. This has happened more times than I would like to admit! All well, maybe I will get some "me time" when my kids are in college.
sometimes my mom will watch Jacob and I'll go to a coffee shop for an hour. It sure is easier with just one kid, no doubt. Night time is my daily me time. I send Jacob to bed, where he can read for awhile, but it is my time to FB and just read and research stuff on the computer. In nice weather we do our homeschooling on the back porch. When he is doing some independent work I will do my gardening, which is one activity I truely enjoy. sheila
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