Time off for parents?

Tonight of all nights tis question is asked. I love being a mum have three beautiful children but other than a night out with the girls from work on 31st January I haven't had a break from my son, other than his 2 hrs at school or when I work since 21st April 2007. I was actually looking forward to going out this evening and as a single parent his dad had agreed to come over and babysit, he did arrive but got so stressed out with my son I didn't feel I could go out and leave him. I'm tired from work, tired from running around doing things for everyone except for me and yes I do need a ME break. My middle daughter also returned home recently so the normal routine has had to have adjustments made even though its lovely to have her here. Yes as parents we do need to take time for us even if that time just means being on here chatting for a couple of hours, away from the chores, away from being mum and just being Ellie for a while. I feel if we have that time to spend on us we come back more refreshed and able to give more as a parent. Ellie :D

When my children go to bed I call that my pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. We as parents love our children. Yes parents and kids both need time apart from each other. My mom will get my girls 2 fridays out of the month for us. Which helps out a great deal. Not only is it stressful on us it is to the kids when there is no time apart. Good post!

Although I am not a parent, I am a daughter and learned very quickly at a very young age that my mom needed time off from being "mommy" 24/7. Now, as I have no kids, I'm happy to provide my friends with time off from their kids by being a babysitter. It's good for the parent, it's good for the kid (as they have someone new to entertain and to entertain them), and it's good for me as I adore kids. I think that stressed out parents need to find single, kidless but kid-liking people and make friends so that they can utilize this relationship as my friends do with me.

I agree that taking time to yourself makes you a better parent, that being said, I am terrible at taking my own advice! I try to take a little time to myself on the computer, but I don't get out away from the kids very often.