What Every Mom Needs

Posted on 05.29.09 in Marriage Parenthood and there are

Honestly, it’s been a very long couple weeks. We’ve been extremely busy and for various reasons my days with the kids have been markedly longer. I’ve had very little time to be alone (perhaps I’m part introvert?) and recoup.

I’d felt on the verge of tears for two straight days.

The smallest things annoyed me. I was emotionally exhausted.

And Then Yesterday Happened

When Jimmy (who’d been out of town) woke up he informed me that I would be taking the entire day off.

He told me to gather my things and then he’d take me to the Baylor campus (which is gorgeous and one of my very favorite places anywhere) and pick me up at 4pm.

Of course, I did what any mother would do. I said, “Oh, you don’t have to do that. That would be a long day for you...”

His reply was simple. “You’re going.”

I wanted to cry. I couldn’t imagine anything more wonderful than an entire day to myself. (I realize that sounds selfish, but I trust you mothers understand.)

Really? It was the MOST completely amazingly wonderful day. I truly couldn’t imagine anything more perfect. Not if I’d been on a tropical beach or a mountain cabin. Not in Paris, France or the coast of Australia.

Here’s What I Did on My Day Off

The Perfect Movie Location
I’d rented Pride and Prejudice while Jimmy was out of town, but for two straight nights I was unable to watch it because it took so long to get the kids to bed and finish the chores.

So, on my day off I .....watched Pride and Prejudice in the Armstrong-Browning Library. I’m sure if Jane Austen had any inkling that movies and laptops would one day exist, she would have specifically written that any movies made from her books MUST be watched in the Armstrong-Browning Library.

If you’ve never been there, you must plan a visit. It’s gorgeous. Just being inside makes me want to read and write and dream.

The Perfect Writing Location
I know this phone picture doesn’t do it justice, but there are some beautiful gardens on campus. I sat on a wooden porch swing beneath a huge oak tree and soaked up the perfect spring weather, the singing of the birds and the scent of hundreds of roses. I just sat. Alone. In silence.

Wonderful.

The Perfect Working Location
I also spent a couple hours at a great coffee shop here in Waco called Common Grounds. It’s right off the Baylor campus and their drinks make Starbucks coffee taste like dirt. So good.

I sent a few overdue emails, organized and planned for the summer ahead.

The Perfect Time
Another great thing about the day was that classes let out last week, so there weren’t many students on campus. For the whole day, while people walked around in the distance, I didn’t actually have to interact with anyone out of necessity. My thoughts were never interrupted. I truly had an entire day all to myself.

I so needed that.

Husbands, Take Note
So, all you husbands out there. The weekend is coming up...consider giving your wife a day away. It doesn’t need to cost anything. She doesn’t need to go anywhere exotic, but just a day away at her favorite spot will do wonders for her as a wife and mother.

Moms, Take Note
Even if your husband is unwilling or unable to give you a day off, I encourage you to trade with another mom or hire a sitter. I was completely amazed at what 7 short hours did to refresh my soul.

Sounds dramatic, I know.

That’s because it was.

When was your last true day off (where you were really able to relax)? What did you do?

The Comments:

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Wow. Just wow.

That library is beautiful!!!

You have such a sweet husband to do that for you.  High five, Jimmy! 

Glad you had a wonderful and rejuvinating time, Kat!

My last “day off,” I went to the beach. Totally unplugged. Nothing, no one but me & God. Pure bliss. And the best therapy in the world.

My last day off, whew that was a long time ago. My Mom bought hubby and I a night at a close-by B&B;. It was in the woods, with just acres to roam. I was very pregnant, but we roamed so much. We left our son with her and didn’t call but once (to check on him before he went to bed). No, really, that’s a record for us.

Now, with two special needs little boys, I crave a day away. However, I get so bored without interaction and crave even more for my husband to be there. But if I could get a night at a B&B;, I would gladly go alone! Just to sleep until I was done would be incredible.

I feel like I lived vicariously through you. What a wonderful day.

As for me, days alone are rare. Luckily, I’m a sanguine, so I don’t need much time to myself.

But a day to write? Without interruptions? That sounds like heaven.

When our kids were tiny, my mother in law would take however many that we had for 24 hours and tell us to go away.  I think she did it once a year.  It was wonderful.  It really didn’t matter what we did.  We were together and alone and it was just what we needed.  A hotel, a hockey game and a coffee shop, even in Marquette, Michigan, in the dead of winter can be transformed into an unbelievable paradise.  We love our kids, and had to endure miscarriages and years and years of waiting to get them, but we still needed that time to just be us.

That sounds like such a perfect day!  What a great hubby you have
My last day off was at a Mom’s conference and was very fun, but a day to myself would be great too… I’ll have to leave your post on the computer open so my husband see it

My husband took the kids all day Sunday so I could rest. I had some major sinus/allergy stuff going on after spending the previous glorious day working outside with the fam. Quite often, my husband will take the kids for an evening or day so I can have me time. There’s always so much I want to accomplish that I never do, that I feel like I wasted time. I’m not good at spending time on just me.

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