My 10 Minute Break

You know those parenting books that say, it’s okay to leave the room and cool down… give yourself space… I’m enjoying said “space” right now… I’d like to call this golden time My 10 Minute Break.    My husband knows now, he sees it in my eyes… this faraway dead look that happens after a day of tantrums, disagreements, and no naps.

The day starts off like any other.  We head to speech and then to gymnastics.  It’s a transitional day for us.  The kids have been at school for the past two days so by Wednesday everyone is readjusting.  I’m readjusting to the noise, busyness, and constant demands of stay-at-home-motherhood and my kids are letting go of all the junk they bottled up over 2 days of school.  How will we survive kindergarten in a 1 ½ years?  (A question I’m constantly asking myself.)  It’s a day that requires prayer and extra sleep, and yes one of those things was missing today. 

Maddie has all but given up naps.  I’m in paradise when 7:30 rolls around and everyone is in bed for the night.  The only exception to this rule is Wednesday.  Wednesday requires extra sleep to make the afternoon livable.  “Is it Wednesday,” Maddie casually asked me on the way home from gymnastics.  Of course there is nothing casual about it.  She asks every week and always has her argument prepared… I’ll be good, I’m not tired, I would just like “rest time” no nap.  Well after a brief lunch of $1.99 Wacky-Packs (thanks Sonic), we are off to bed and I’m trying to gather enough motivation to make something of my alone time.  Mutiny ensued and the rebels weren’t surrendering.  Eventually Ellie gave in, but I had to bribe Maddie with her tablet to keep her at bay long enough to clean the kitchen. 

Well the afternoon showed that I made the wrong decision.  Bickering, toy snatching, and broken hearts litter my memories of the afternoon.  By 4:30 I was begging for relief and threatening a nap (Maddie saw right through me).  Finally at 5:37 my husband walked through the door, eyes bright and alive from a day spent with adults.  I shoveled down my food and said those magical words, “I need 10 minutes”. 

After this therapeutic writing session and a few minutes spent in quiet, I think I’m ready to head out into that wild untamed place I call my living room.  The good news is, only 64 minutes until bedtime. 

 

Who could be mad at this face?