Love Ya, Miss Ya, Mean It
by Staff Writer
I know that when my kids leave the nest that I’ll miss them like crazy, like the song says. But for now I’m just itchin’ for a little missin’. I’m figuratively surrounded 24/7 with no loopholes. I don’t want out of the contract, just a clause that gives me time off.
Real time off.
How do YOU get time to yourself when you’re the only or primary caregiver?
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October 19th, 2006 at 2:32 pm
It’s interesting that I just posted over on my own 451 Press site, Parenting Teens,about dreading the day my teenage daughter leaves home!
But I well remember those days when she was younger and I was a single parent just looking for a few minutes I could call my own! One of my solutions was to make good friends with a few other single moms with kids around the same age. That way, we could exchange play dates, and each have a little time for ourselves.
Also, my daughter was in day care, so that I could work and attend school. Since she enjoyed her friends and teachers there, I picked her up late one day a week, so that I could have an extra hour-and-a-half that one day to do as I pleased. Not much, but something.
You have to look all around in your life to be able to spot opportunities like this-opportunities where you can have some time, but your children can still be somewhere having fun and safe with someone you know.
October 19th, 2006 at 3:38 pm
Hi Gayle,
Thanks for the comment and pep talk. My kids aren’t little - they’re 14 and 11 actually. But I am their only parent so it’s me, me and all me! At this point in my life 2 hours makes little difference — I need 2 weeks!
October 19th, 2006 at 3:52 pm
Amy,
You don’t say, but is time with their grandparents possible? My parents gave me my time alone when I was a single parent. My daughter spent several weeks with them each summer. They loved having her; she loved going; I loved the time alone. It worked out great for all of us!
If that’s not a possibility, have you thought about summer camp? My daughter has been to a couple of camps that she really emjoyed.