Diaper Swappers

lisathib123 · 08-02-2010, 04:34 AM

Dh is up at 4am & leaves the house at 5am, so I have a good 2 hrs to myself in the morning. It's great for me because I can prepare myself and the house before my kids get up at 7am. On Saturdays I wake up at the same time as my kids and its just isn't the same. I feel 2 steps behind all day, never catching up.

madebytrudi · 08-02-2010, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AcaciaR

Yes, I definitely need the break! It wasn't until I came across the book Raising Your Spirited Child, to help my oldest (5, ASD) that I finally understood why. One of the issues discussed in the book is introversion vs extroversion; recognizing my own introverted traits helped my understand that its not that I "can't stand" so much time with my kids, or that there's something "wrong" with me (or them!), but that I need that time of solitude to recharge. Ds is very intense and spirited, while dd is not quite as spirited, but very extroverted; they're both at a stage where their intense needs are overwhelming for me. When I get that little bit of time for myself, I'm refreshed and ready to be a warm, engaging mother. When I don't get it, I'm grumpy and emotionally withdrawn. It doesn't take much: I food shop alone at night when dh is home, I go to a weekly Bible Study, and once our newbie is born I'll be back to the gym for a couple of hours a week. Juts enough to feel like I'm still a person whose needs matter just as much as my dh and children's needs matter. There's nothing to feel guilty about when we're honest about our shortcomings and are working toward solutions.

EXCELLENT book! helped me a TON too!

madebytrudi · 08-02-2010, 08:31 PM

I find I need more of a break from the HOUSEWORK and cooking more than the kids. It's easy to send the kids outside awhile but that darn housework is a persistant nuisance crabbing at me all day long!

UmmKira · 08-02-2010, 09:21 PM

When I started hs'ing last year, I needed more "me time" than I did towards the end of the year. I think we just needed to get readjusted to each other and find a new normal. Yes, I do need to have time to myself, but that is more to get away from responsibility. Like, I need some time where I don't need to -do- anything. My midwife suggested taking a walk by myself for 15 minutes and don't think about my to-do list or anything else... just take in the scenery. I love it!

I've also noticed that DD can entertain herself a lot more than when she was in public school. She still wants to play together and do stuff, but she isn't asking for us to entertain her all the time, like it was when she first started summer vacation the year after 3rd grade (her last year in public school).

Each family is different, but I think we adapt as we need to. We may not be used to spending a lot of time with our kids, and vice versa, but that doesn't mean that we never could! I'm of the opinion that we have too individualistic attitudes in modern times and we place too high of value on things that are only about ourselves and not our relationships with others. Just my

cupcakewright · 08-03-2010, 04:49 PM

I have 5 kids and one on the way...my mother takes them all from 11am until 5pm once a week, it iw wonderful, she does school with them, and teaches them piano!

I love the time to shop, nap, clean and mop, whatever I need to do, I recommend it but it isn't required to be a good mom, just fun!

granolamommie · 08-04-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weintz8

I exercise. It gives me the time "away" I need and sets a good example for my children.

That is my "Me Time" too. I find that if I can excersize an hour or even a half an hour a day I am more full of energy and a better mom. I deal with stress better too. Nap time is good too, I make everyone not napping read and then I can read my bible and pray and it helps me to recharge and stay patient and focused.

joy7s · 08-04-2010, 03:04 PM

I agree with someone else who said it depends on the person. I get some alone time duirng nap/quiet time (our oldest doesn't nap but has some quiet alone time in the afternoon)

vintagegyrl · 08-04-2010, 04:06 PM

i think what the person means by " no break" is that no break is going to be given to you. You have to take it. You have to make the time for it. We have quiet time every day. Sometimes I will do a certain activitiy with my kids and then we do quiet time and I tell them to lay & be quiet/color and I can rest/ or catch up on stuff. They need the rest time just as much as I do.
Also moms HS groups, meeting a friend for dinner, shopping on weekends and occasionally putting a movie on. LOL

Bellamoon · 08-04-2010, 05:04 PM

the only real break i get is the 90 min they are in class at church! its plenty for me

08-02-2010, 04:34 AM	#31
lisathib123 Registered Users Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 2,193 Ratings: 22 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: A Break From Kids Dh is up at 4am & leaves the house at 5am, so I have a good 2 hrs to myself in the morning. It's great for me because I can prepare myself and the house before my kids get up at 7am. On Saturdays I wake up at the same time as my kids and its just isn't the same. I feel 2 steps behind all day, never catching up.

08-02-2010, 08:31 PM	#33
madebytrudi Registered Users Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Western Michigan Posts: 768 Ratings: 13 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: A Break From Kids I find I need more of a break from the HOUSEWORK and cooking more than the kids. It's easy to send the kids outside awhile but that darn housework is a persistant nuisance crabbing at me all day long! __________________ homeschooling mum (d15, d13, d11, s8, s6) Surprise #6 due Aug 13! Navy vet and wife to a ret. MARINE Lend Me Your Pen: my kids's homeschooling Magazine project

08-02-2010, 09:21 PM	#34
UmmKira Registered Users Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Midwest Posts: 774 Ratings: 6 Feedback: 100%	Re: A Break From Kids When I started hs'ing last year, I needed more "me time" than I did towards the end of the year. I think we just needed to get readjusted to each other and find a new normal. Yes, I do need to have time to myself, but that is more to get away from responsibility. Like, I need some time where I don't need to -do- anything. My midwife suggested taking a walk by myself for 15 minutes and don't think about my to-do list or anything else... just take in the scenery. I love it! I've also noticed that DD can entertain herself a lot more than when she was in public school. She still wants to play together and do stuff, but she isn't asking for us to entertain her all the time, like it was when she first started summer vacation the year after 3rd grade (her last year in public school). Each family is different, but I think we adapt as we need to. We may not be used to spending a lot of time with our kids, and vice versa, but that doesn't mean that we never could! I'm of the opinion that we have too individualistic attitudes in modern times and we place too high of value on things that are only about ourselves and not our relationships with others. Just my __________________ WAHM married to my love , submitter to God , mama to DD1 ('99), DD2 ('10) and Surprise Baby Due 4/7/13 ISO Girls 24 mo pj's, Bummis M cover/Thirsties sz 2, Grovia shells/inserts Come check out the Blog!

08-03-2010, 04:49 PM	#35
cupcakewright Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 2,425 Ratings: 52 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: A Break From Kids I have 5 kids and one on the way...my mother takes them all from 11am until 5pm once a week, it iw wonderful, she does school with them, and teaches them piano! I love the time to shop, nap, clean and mop, whatever I need to do, I recommend it but it isn't required to be a good mom, just fun! __________________ ~Christy~ Wife for 16 years to Lance Sr. SAHM, homeschooling mom of 6, 4 boys and 2 little girls, Christian 18 , Lance 14 , Philip 8 , James 6 , and our little Princess Catherine 4 and Precious Baby Reagan 1

08-04-2010, 03:04 PM	#37
joy7s Registered Users Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3,156 Ratings: 72 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: A Break From Kids I agree with someone else who said it depends on the person. I get some alone time duirng nap/quiet time (our oldest doesn't nap but has some quiet alone time in the afternoon) __________________ Spring Joy Jesus following,cding, extended bfing,tandem nursing (again!) , homeschooling, mama milk donating, semi crunchy and green mama. Unemployed ped RN married to my one and only n asl Terp since 2/16/00 my three princesses: a (6/26/04) s (9/15/06) and Z (8/5/08) and little man Z (11/12/10)