(Dirty Turtle chair in Wisconsin)
What kind of mom are you?
As for me, I can tell you one thing about myself: I love big.
When I love someone or something- I love it with all my might and (even though I am horrible at managing my time) I try to invest as much as I can into what or who I love.
With that being said, one of my top priorities has always been showing my family and friends how much I love them. I try my best to keep these people active in my life despite how crazy busy life can be! But there is always negativity that surrounds something good. I can sense some are surprised at the fact I still occasionally go out at times sans my child. I guess to some, people think mothers should only be surrounded by their families 24/7.
That works for some, but not all. To each it's own, right? I don't ask the mothers (who choose an opposite schedule from me) why they don't pencil in more girl time. Some mothers choose to see their friends only when playdates are involved and a girls night out is a chapter in their lives that has come to an end.
Not for me.
Not that I need to explain myself but I want to. My husband works long hours during the work week and on some Saturdays. I try not to vent about this because I know he is working hard for all of our futures. He also has a difficult time sitting still on the weekends when he is not at work. He loves to work on projects around the house. (Thanks to him, we have a finished basement!) I, on the other hand, have the MUCH less complicated work schedule. I am home by 3:00 which thankfully enables me to have a lot of one on one time with my son before bedtime and I also take the weekend shift when Tom is engrossed with a DIY project or work. So when an opprotunity arises and I am able to have a little alone time, I take it! Does that make me a bad mother because my child is not always with me?
I can clearly recall always having a close relationship with my single mother who held a full-time job. At a very young age, I understood her way of escaping the daily grind was a night out dancing with my aunt. (Even in her 50's!!) This occurred every once in a while and I find that this lifestyle reduces stress. When I am with my friends or sisters we love to talk, have a few drinks, and reminisce. Laughter and smiling constantly is a given. Afterward, I find myself coming back refreshed and any stress that I've been carrying has been lifted.
I love Jake more than anything or anyone. But I made a promise to myself not to change too much when I became a mother. Yes, of course, soooooo much changes, but I knew that because I am big on love-the people in my life will stay in my life and intermittent outings will continue.
I know my limits.
(Thank you Joanna for our (five hour?) lunch at the Clubhouse where we talked about our much needed release and I hope you are having fun in Puerto Rico. I understand and I'm so glad you "get me" too!)
