Wedding planning has been a great excuse to get out of the house and do grown-up things. I've been out to eat and shopping. I've done all kinds of fun kid free stuff. I went out tonight to a bridal event which got me thinking. Mike gets days off from work why shouldn't I? Not, leaving Riley at Boo's house so I can go shopping or clean or organize toys. A real break? It occurred to me then that no one is stopping me from taking a night off every week.
Woah! A night off from dinner, bathes and bedtime every week, if I wanted. My knees go weak at the thought. I wouldn't even have to spend any money. The only requirement would be physically removing myself from the house. Otherwise I'd just stay in mom-mode. This is a much better idea than the ill-fated morning off plan when Riley was little. Mike will never be a morning person, ever. Acceptance has come in that regard. I'm still hopeful someday the kids will get older and I'll get to sleep in on the weekends, though.
I could take my nights off whenever opportunity arose and skip them when ever I feel like it for now. It's so empowering (at least for me) to give myself permission. I think 24hrs, 365days for the rest of my kids' lives are some serious hours to keep. The way I see it I owe myself overtime pay, breaks and vacations. Is it horrible that it took me 5yrs to figure this out?
No, not horrible, just a bit slow on the uptake, Katie. I heartily recommend that you follow this idea to its fruition and that you enjoy it immensely.
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