Is this so wrong?

my daughter and me - me and Bella......she's so happy! So....I must be doing something right!
United States
May 26, 2007 5:45pm CST
Is it wrong for me, a mother of a 2 year old girl, to take one day/night a week for myself? To go out and enjoy myself, with my boyfriend, or with my friends, and ask my grandparents to watch my child? I have asked them once a week to keep her, and every time, I come home and get the whole "responsible parents would spend their free time with their child, not lolly gagging around doing god knows what" well, Im 22, and I am an adult. I work all week, and spend all my time from the time I get off work, until bedtime, with my child, and, also, get up with her several times in the night. I feel that I AM a responsible parent, I dont do anything unless I know for a fact that she is safe and taken care of. Am I wrong in this matter???
8 people like this
38 responses
• United States
26 May 07
I do not see anything wrong with you taking some time for yourself if that is what you choose to do. If they do not approve of you going out, and insist on making you feel bad about it, I would try to find another sitter for those nights. If they are watching your daughter for you for free, this may just be the "price" you have to pay.
3 people like this
• United States
26 May 07
Maybe so. I just cant really afford a sitter for when Im not working, so yes, they do it for free. Thanks for your response.
2 people like this
@Swtrose (3385)
• Canada
27 May 07
If you can't afford a sitter than you can't afford to go out.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 May 07
I don't buy drinks or anything when I go out. Mostly, we just hang out and watch movies and just unwind!
@cynddvs (2948)
• United States
27 May 07
I don't think you are wrong in this matter at all. In fact I think you are being responsible in recognizing that you need your "you" time. As parents we tend to spend so much time taking care of our family that we forget that we are still individuals. I know I'm really guilty of not taking enough time for myself. And I applaud you for taking one day or night out of the week to spend time for yourself. You deserve it!
3 people like this
• United States
27 May 07
Thanks so much. I really appreciate your kindness. You have a beautiful daughter by the way!
2 people like this
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
27 May 07
I don't know how I feel about this. I have a sister that likes to go out once a week and she is always asking our mom to watch her kids. I know my mom complains a lot to me because she doesn't think it's responsible. I know once a week doesn't seem like a lot, but to some it's more then enough. Me, well I'm 24 and I stay home with my kids all the time. I stopped my nights out when I was pregnant with my first child. But everyone has their own views on this. I don't think it's bad you go out, but maybe once a week is a little to much. I mean if you work all week, you honestly don't have that much time with your child, even if you spend time with her after work. I just think all free time you have, you would want to be with your little one. But instead, you work all week and then you also take a day out to go out, so that leaves you with what, one day with your daughter, if that? All I can say is, if you don't want to keep hearing them nag you, then find a new babysitter.
2 people like this
• United States
28 May 07
whatever........thanks for your response anyway.
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
28 May 07
WOW! Why did this make you so upset? I wasn't trying to be rude. I honestly don't think I was rude. I'm not going to argue though because how I see it is, you asked for opinions and I gave you MY opinion.
1 person likes this
@4cuteboys (4099)
• United States
28 May 07
Wow, why did you get snippy with her? Because she didn't agree with you? She had some really valid points, and said it all in a polite way + for foxxee
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
27 May 07
I'm not sure if this will work, but have you thought about asking your grandparents if they thought any time for yourself was appropriate and if so, how much? Maybe just ask them if they can't see the benefit of you getting a little break now and then. Sometimes if you make people feel like you are listening to what they have to say, they ease up a little. Remember to tell them that you appreciate their help tremendously. I little positive reinforcement works for adults as well as kids. Good luck. Every mom needs a break now and then.
2 people like this
@hdcc829 (15)
• United States
27 May 07
NO you are not wrong at all.. you need time to yourself. I had my son when I was 22 and thank god my mom and dad think that I need a life outside of him. My son is now 5 and he has spent almost every saturday night, (with the exception of maybe 10 in his whole life)with them. Most of the time (like 95%) I do not even do anything but sit at the house, but it is time for me and what I want to do. I think that it makes you appreciate being a mom so much more. So do not feel bad.
@toe_ster (770)
• United States
27 May 07
YOu are not wrong in this matter. However maybe the possibility in finding alternative sitting arrangements might help. You will find as you get older and maybe more children, you will lose your marbles if you don't take time for yourself. You might end up resenting the child. MAybe your grandparents don't understand it, but one needs a break every once in a while. Keep on doing what you are doing. If they give you a hard time, try and find someone else you trust.
2 people like this
• United States
27 May 07
Thank you so much! Im with you.......it helps me keep my sanity....lol
@Swtrose (3385)
• Canada
28 May 07
Yeah, those 20 hours a week that you spend with her must be so hard on you.
1 person likes this
@toe_ster (770)
• United States
28 May 07
I don't think it is an issue like that. If yu are working full time and taking care of a child, or even a stay at home mom being with your child all day long 24/7, it helps to get a little break once in a while. It doesn't mean you love parenting any less, or the child any less.Any therapist or doctor(pediatrician or other) will agree, that it is good for one to keep a little time to oneself.It gives you a chance to breathe, and enjoy yourself. Fromkeeping you from losing sight of yourself. It helps to become better people as well as parents. Just my thoughts.
@angelface23 (2494)
• United States
27 May 07
Hey I totally feel you. I am 24 and I have a 12 month old. When we first had her no one ever wanted to watch her overnight. My mom did a few times but she complained. Even my grandma would watch her for a few hours on special occasions and I would get crap for it. I work as well and I am a wife so I have to cook and clean and I never ask to go out. I don't see any of my friends anymore and I feel like if once a month or so I want to go have a drink with my old friends I should be able to. I am not going to get smashed like I used to before I had her. I know I can't do that-it doesnt' even have to be going to a bar just anywhere.
• Pakistan
26 May 07
One thing that I have learnt in life is that we need to take care of ourselves to take care of others.... so release your self of any guilt in this matter honey....what your grandparents dont realize is that you actually might be doing your family a hell lot of good by allowing your self to unwind every once in a while;since it helps realease you of tension,freshens you up and recharges you for the rest of the week.That said,you must also keep in mind that being around your children doesnt necessarily mean that that you are "with" them so giving them quality time a few hours a day is very important when you are at home. Take care and good luck.
2 people like this
• United States
27 May 07
No, not wrong at all. I think you're a good and responsible mom. You don't have to be a martyr in this situation. You can take good care of your daughter and yet at the same time, have a life. It's hard for some people to understand this. I think until you can afford to pay for a babysitter, you'll have to endure it for awhile. At least you get to go out and have fun, unwind, be a woman, etc. In order to take good care of your child, you must also take care of yourself and that includes giving yourself some "Me" time as long as you're doing it responsibly which you seem to be. So, don't ever feel guilty about that.
@Swtrose (3385)
• Canada
27 May 07
I can see taking a couple days off a month to do something with your friends or boyfriend, but once a week? You mention about getting up with her several times a night, well that is the responsibility of being a mom. Parenting is not a part time job. Parenting is a 24 hour job.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 May 07
Ok, I get off work at 1:30, my daughter goes to bed at 9pm.......redo your math.
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
28 May 07
That is what I was trying to say, but she didn't like my advice.
2 people like this
@Swtrose (3385)
• Canada
28 May 07
I just noticed that. She most likely gets off work at what five and I imagine her daughter being two goes to bed at seven so that is two hours a night and she says going out once a week helps her keep her insanity? How could one go insane with two hours a night?
1 person likes this
• United States
28 May 07
It's not wrong to want a break from the relentlessness of parenting, but it is wrong to expect any specific person, relative or not, to take care of your child. It's your responsibility to find someone to take care of your child while you go out, and no one is obligated to be the babysitter. It sounds like you need to find another sitter, b/c your grandparents either disapprove of your evening activities or resent being expected to babysit every week. You aren't being irresponsible, b/c you're making sure your child is cared for. It is a little presumptuous, however, to assume your grandparents are happy to babysit weekly. They have the right to plan their own evenings, just as you do.
1 person likes this
@molusk (857)
• Philippines
28 May 07
My goodness, if I am the father of your child I will be very much thankful for your concern to our child. You are indeed a responsible lady and I admire your attitude. Let me point out that you have every reason to at least enjoy yourself by going out with your friends from time to time. And let me say that you are not wrong with regards to this matter.
• United States
27 May 07
I think it's a healthy thing to spend a little with friends or do things just for you even if it means getting a babysitter.
@tonixxx (358)
30 May 07
I think that once you have children your social life has to take a back seat. Your boyfriend ought to support you in this matter, perhaps instead of going out every week you could go out once a month, spend the weekends with your family. Put baby to bed early, watch a film and have a takeaway. You would then be able to take her swimming with your fella as a treat with the money you save. That way you have the best of both worlds. Quality time with your daughter, the fella and a special night out.
@Swtrose (3385)
• Canada
1 Jun 07
That sounds so nice, but her b/f is on house arrest.
• Nigeria
27 May 07
well i dont think it is a bad idea to have a night out alone just to enjoy yourself. I think the rigors of having to babysit for a whole week is too tiring and if i were you i would also take those kinda 1 day in a week break. But you could also get someone to babysit her for you when you are out of the house so that she would be safe like you said
1 person likes this
• Canada
27 May 07
If you do not take time for yourself your stress levels would go too high and then you wouldn't be able to mother them at all... if your parents have a problem looking after them for you then find someone else to take care of them... as long as you are not partying every night then there is nothing wrong with having a little fun
1 person likes this
@golfproo (1839)
• Canada
27 May 07
This is not wrong at all. You do need some "you" time. All parents should know that. It is very difficult raising children (albeit very rewarding as well) and you will need that time with adults to stop from going stir crazy. This will help everyone, including your kids, in the end. cheers,
1 person likes this
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
27 May 07
Find another babysitter, its obvious your Parents do not enjoy the privilage! They consider it an unwelcome task! I'm a Grandparent and I love to be with My Grandchildren. would never complain about Babysitting. Every Parent needs some time for Themselves. Go For IT !
• Philippines
27 May 07
what's wrong in rewarding yourself? but don't be too much. i must have time for your other concerns. parenting is not an ordinary task and responsibility to your child always comes first but don just forget your self.. enjoy your life. its a sin to your self to be unhappy. fly light and enjoy life. goodluck.
1 person likes this
@patricios (183)
• Philippines
27 May 07
nothing wrong maybe you just enjoying your life of a teenager but this i will tell you for me like father its fun to watch my daughter how she grow and i always see her how is development of my child you enjoying your life with your friend and with your boyfriend then you miss something a lot i not hating you but i just telling you what is needed to be ok...thank you!
1 person likes this