Smoke Break
When I say I need a break, it may not be because there’s something wrong. A needed break is not a result of poor children’s behavior or a bad day. It may be because I’ve read Freight Train 200 times. Or I’ve made countless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Chased Carson over miles in just the living room and foyer. Sung Little Bunny Foo Foo until I was hoarse. Wiped syrup out of hair and poo off of hineys too many times to count.
But why do I have to justify or explain a break? Even short order cooks, maids, secretaries, child care workers, and laundresses get breaks. They don’t only get breaks on bad days. They get breaks because it’s the law! And! They deserve it.
So I deserve a break, too.
And yes, I did have a break yesterday morning. Does that somehow extinguish the need for any breaks ever again? Since I’m a Mom, am I exempt from breaks on consecutive days?
The kids have been terrific this weekend. I’m not mad, sad, or bored. I just want a break. With quiet. Without responsibilities.
One hour. It’s not too much to ask, is it?
This concludes my rant. Thank you for listening.
I find if I do have a break, somehow, I have to make up for it. My advice for my daughters, if they have children, will be to make their needs known. And then don’t look back.
And you know, I find myself doing much of what I do M-F on the weekends too. So no, it’s never too much to ask for an hour. Shit, I figure we deserve a week at a time.
I hear ya, sistagirl.
And I get annoyed that I have to “ask” to take a shower or get a break on the weekend. A mama’s work is never done!
I got up this morning, cooked breakfast, then sat down on the couch with my computer. It’s now ten til four and I’m still here. In my gown.
Hubby took Punkin’ to town, then fed him lunch, and they are both napping.
What a great day. I have on yesterday’s makeup, I look like I just wokeup, hell I probably stink, but I needed the break. I figure no one will offer you one so you just have to take it!
Roger that, playgroupie. Rant heard, understood, appreciated, and agreed. Over and out.
Oh dear. Might I suggest slobbering, eye rolling, horn growing, boob grabbing along with a rabid shout of “Give me a break! I needs me a break!”
No, it isn’t too much to ask.
Everyone deserves a break. A bit of time to remember who you are and be alone with your thoughts….or just go to Starbucks alone.
Sometimes, I feel like I should start smoking again so I can go outside alone and take deep breaths…inhale and exhale…alone…by myself….
Last night I went on my semi-annual overnight with my girlfriends. Right now I need a break from my hangover.
Oy.
Amen.
My breaks are when the kids are playing, safe, fed, etc, and I go into the office and shut the door (leaving them unsupervised AHH!) and catch up on blogs or windowshopsurf or look stuff up. I’ve always, of course, got the “eyes in the back of my head” (aka ears) tuned, but unless I hear pain-screaming or something unresolved I refuse to feel guilty for popping away for 5-10 mins.
I’m right there with you. Please give the name of your ‘boss’ and I’ll call him early monday morning if you call mine and we’ll work out our break schedules.
I need a break so bad that the only intelligent reply I can muster to this is.
OH MY GOD YES.
YESYESYESYESYES.
Dude, not only do we deserve breaks, we deserve PAID breaks!
Isn’t it amazing that an HOUR is all we ask for ! an hour. 60 minutes, that is only one showing of Hi-5 and one Diego!!
and yet we feel guilty and need to explain.
Mmmm. Mmmm.
This seems like such a reasonable way to put it, I can’t imagine anyone arguing with it. I’m going to remember that the next time my hour-off-for-lunch husband sighs when I want 5 minutes to myself.
Oh yes. I second what Feener and Swistle commented too.
And why, oh why do I still feel like I’m the sole parenter even when he’s home? I don’t get it.
I can’t believe someone would argue with you. I get a minimum of two 15 minutes breaks at work daily.
You deserve them.
I love that you implied that mom’s are somehow not allowed to have (daily) breaks. so profound. so true.
Forget an hour, I’d settle for a child-free bathroom break.
I can’t imagine anyone reading this and not shouting, “Amen, sista!” I did.
My-Oh-My! Need I say (just kidding) that no way can I muster up any sympathy …. break????
Just kidding! Here’s my break today: I go to the bathroom alone, and would you believe that I accidently left the door open just a crack. And who would walk in, yep, the trio of terror! All three of them two year olds of mine.
(Jay) “Mommy? What you doing Mommy? Poop Mommy? Pee Mommy? I see Mommy? I see you poop?”
(Sam) “MM’s Mommy”, while crawling into the bathtub to reach the shelf where the MM’s are kept. Get down Sam before you fall! Oops, Sam fell and Mommy has to wipe before she can get him!
(Jay) “Wash Mommy? Wash butt? I see Mommy.”
(Meg) “Makeup Mommy” Get out of the Makeup Meggie, close the drawers …
Ahhh … I need a triple break! But I know you do to. lol
Tanya
I get Thursday nights PLUS random girls nights PLUS zoning out at work sometimes… and I STILL need to steal 5 minutes at home every once in a while.
You ABSOLUTELY need breaks, sister.
I get a girls night out every month or so. But it’s hard to get a break otherwise. My husband comes home from work and wants to unwind with the computer, but he doesn’t always get it that I’ve been working hard, too.
I did get a two hour reprieve on Saturday, and it was lovely.
When you need a break, you need one! Totally understand!
what they said.
and come to think of it, these should be daily occurences IMHO.
I agree 100 percent! I feel so guilty asking for it though. I think I need to get over that.
I don’t know why this is so hard for men to understand!
Here here!
You inspired me to post on this…
http://vdogandlittleman.blogspot.com/2007/08/mama-alone-time.html
Keep up the good work! And those smoke breaks! heh.
I hear you and I feel your pain. These kids are driving me nuts!