Take The Day Off – repost
March 31, 2010 by Marci
Enjoys this post from the past while I am on vacation mode this week!
My neighbor did something awesome yesterday. She took the day off. Not a sick day or a vacation day, really. It was more like a mental health day. Now, I can hear some of you “Big deal. People take days off all the time. What so special about her day off?” Well, her day was special because she’s a mom! She doesn’t punch a time clock somewhere or even get a paycheck. She is a stay-at-home mom with 4 kids.
When she told me she was going to take the day off, I thought “Brilliant! Why didn’t I think of that?” But, then practicality set in and I said “How are you going to do that? Are you going somewhere? Who’s watching the kids?” This may be the most incredible part of all for some us…Her husband had a vacation day and stayed home with the kids! And, from all accounts, they all survived just fine, Dad included.
So, what does a mom do on her day off? My friend spent part of the day at home just enjoying her family, but without having to cook breakfast or change diapers or clean up anything. (Amazing!) Then, she spent the afternoon doing a little shopping. (Without kids screaming they wanted to go home or crying because you won’t let them buy them whatever!)
This whole thing got me to thinking. Why don’t mom’s get days off like everyone else? Mom’s are on the job 24/7 with no vacation or sick days. I think we need to negotiate a better contract!! Is there a more mentally and physically demanding job out there? Is there a more important job? No way! So, why don’t we take sometime for ourselves?
I think as mom’s we sometimes think we are in this alone and that no one else can do our jobs for us, not even for a day. Some of us enjoy being the martyr. Some of us are so stressed out we can’t think of a way to get relief. First, we need to get over ourselves. Second, we need to let our families know what we need. If we are feeling stressed, I’m sure it is no surprise to them and most times they will be all for making momma sane again!!
Is it time for your mental health day? Talk with your family and negotiate it. Get your husband to stay with the kids. Get a sitter. Swap with another mom so you both can have a day off. Mark it on the calendar and do it!
So, do you take a day off for being mom? What would you do on your day off?
Comments (2)
sounds wonderful!
I whole heartedly agree!! We DO need ‘day’s off’ now and then because we’re always ‘on duty’
I just went on an overnight retreat this past weekend. I was gone for about 24 hours – it was wonderful. I knew when I left that Daddy wouldn’t do everything quite the way I did, or that I might come back to a sink full of dirty dishes and clothes baskets over-flowing, but it was so worth it!
A friend and I drove to a family lake house a few hours away – we had some great girl talk during the drive and after we arrived, we got busy with some craft projects we were prepared to work on. We watched movies, ate, slept what we wanted WHEN we wanted – it was bliss!
I think moms should get a ‘day off’ once a month!!