Mom's time out-what do you do just for you?

I totally agree with all you say. I would definitely agree that home schooled children are far, far better behaved and show an enormous amount of courtesy when compared with others. I would say your children get a great social activity so this area is well covered.

Thank you so much for your response. I waited until my mid 30's to have children. I tried for 5 years in my first marriage to have children. I guess you could say I have had a lot of time to think about how I wanted to raise my future children. As former school teacher and sunday school teacher, I was exposed to the positive and negative issues of home schooling versus general education. I was very fortunate to associate with other homeschooling families that really inspired me, primarily because I saw this spark in the children that I did not see in other kids. I started researching homeschooling in depth about 3 years ago and found the program that my son is enrolled in just last summer. I believe that there are probably a lot of homeschooled children that are not getting enough socialization,however many programs today like Connection Academy ( the online charter school my son is enrolled in) create opportunities for the children to interact every week in school sponsored activities. As parents, as in my case, me and other moms in close proximity get together for playdates,storytime at the library and have seasonal parties. In addition with church,ice skating lessons and karate lessons and also birthday parties and playdates with neighborhood friends my children have a quite active social calendar!! As far as healthy social development, I see a genuine difference with social interactions between my kids when they interact with children that aren't homeschooled!! Sorry to say that the lack of manners and badlanguage they learn in general ed is something that my well-mannered kids will have to "pass" on. I think the best thing about homeschooling my children is that you can create positive,healthy activities with other children around families that share your values and views about education. I have found that homeshooled families have a vested interest in their child's education and social development because they are 100% involved..day in and day out. I think that idea of putting 4 kids in daycare a few hours a week would actually be pretty expensive!! I would much rather spend the money on their extra curricular activities. I have seen both sides of the fence as an educator and a parent and I would not raise my children any other way!!

You know what I hear a lot from others is that the best thing that a mom can do for her family is to take care of herself. That is why I chose the avatar that I did for this site. Being a SAHM can be very isolating at times. A happy,refreshed mom is a good mom for her kids. You are not alone!! I too try to get the store (alone) after my husband gets home from work. I'll have dinner ready for them and go the store and pick up a latte'. My mom has been my biggest supporter of me being a SAHM ,but also reminding me to take time for myself as well. It is comforting coming from her,even though she always worked full time. Anyway, enjoy your mommy time!!!

Thank you for your response. I am glad to see moms taking time out for themselves. I knew I was forgetting something!!! A bubble bath!! I need to do that one night this week!!

Isn't reading a good book a great escape? It is one of the best!! I love going to the movies. However, most movies I see in the theatre these days are animated!! You have got some great activities for mommy time!!

The first few stay at home moms I connected with was through a twin moms group. I found the group on the internet, when I discovered I was having twins,and started going to an ocassional meeting. They had a committiee that put lists together of moms that lived near each other and gave us each other phone numbers to see if we could set up a play group. Another group of moms I met through my son's preschool nearly 3 years ago. My son was only enrolled for half a year and I kept in touch with one of the moms. From those two groups we have added other friends and have a small group of friends that get together and support one another. My mom,sister and best friend live 3,000 miles away..I don't know what I'd do without the gals!!

I've done that too!! Taking a nice hot shower before bed time helps me to relax. Kuddos to you and all the single moms out there!!