You may think that I am a selfish mother because I don’t jump up to spend time with my child whenever he demands it - but I am okay with it. It may be a radical idea for moms who are often told to spend every waking hour either working for their children or worrying about them.
As you understand this idea and try it a few times for yourself, you will wonder why you didn’t think of it sooner!
Once you are a mother, a carefree lifestyle, relaxed outings and lazy weekends are a thing of past. However, it does not mean that we as mothers cannot find a little time for ourselves during our busy days.
It took me a few months to make my child understand that mommy’s tea-time is a time when she is not to be disturbed. As I take slow sips, I can feel all the stress and troubles fading away. The trick of course, is to enforce it seriously and not feel guilty about it. A woman's guide to 'me' time has nifty ideas on how to squeeze in a few minutes of precious time for ourselves.
Initially, I was worried that my son would feel neglected but surprisingly, he appreciates the things I do when I am by myself. It also exposes him to new things apart from his regular kiddy stuff.
It truly works out well for both of us. I am not taken for granted and as being available all the time. My child understands that his mother has her own needs and things to do and cannot just be his mother. I don’t get distracted by thoughts of ‘what I could have been doing right now’ and he appreciates the actual time I spend with him more because it is ‘quality time’. Another benefit is that it encourages my son to get creative, trying to keep himself occupied and entertained.
When he sees me resting and chimes, “I am bored!” I ignore him. I let him figure out how he can get out of his bored state while I relax with a cup of tea.
Guess what? Most of the time, he does find a way to keep himself happy without my help!
Written by Inderpreet Kaur Uppal