Category Archives: unwind

Mommy Guilt Sucks

I am a mother. But I am also a woman, and a human. I have needs. And one of those needs is some quiet, alone time. So why does asking for it make me feel so guilty? I have no problem sending my children to day care while I am at work. I see this as a necessity.
I happen to work a 4/10 shift, meaning I work ten hours a day, four days a week. I have Fridays off. We pay for daycare for the full week, but I rarely, if ever, send my children to daycare on Fridays. I feel it is my duty as a parent to never part from them. This Friday it is supposed to rain, and I have a boatload of errands to run. Combine all of this with getting two very small children in and out of the car a bagillian times, and schlepping them through numerous stores, and you are asking for chaos. Nevertheless it never even occurred to me to send them to daycare.
I was outlining my plans to my husband who looked at me and said “you should send the kids to day care.”  I just stared at him as if he had announced the most astonishing news on the face of the planet. Why hadn’t the idea come to me before? I mean, we are paying for it anyway.
As soon as the plan to send them off starting sinking in, I began trying to rationalize how it is better for them under the circumstances to be at day care. They won’t get rained on, and potentially catch a cold. They won’t have to be dragged from store to store. They will surely have a much better time playing, and being taken care of. And the list goes on. Why can’t I just admit that it will be easier for me to do everything without them, and that I actually welcome some me time. Why do I have to feel like I am abandoning my children? Is there something wrong with wanting to relax for a few hours?
As much as I am looking forward to my Friday this week, I cannot help but feel selfish. Every time I try to think about the things I will be getting accomplished and how nice it will be to read my book and maybe take a nap, I feel a pang of guilt. It is completely irrational. Mommy guilt sucks.

Easy Pina Colada Recipe

After watching Blues Clues for the umpteenth time today (which is, in my opinion, one of the most annoying shows on the planet), the kids are finally asleep, at least for now, and it is time for mommy to unwind. Unfortunately this mommy has the toothbrush song stuck in her head.
I know kids learn better through song, but does every TV show have to have a song about brushing our teeth? And do they all have to be so catchy?
It is about 95 degrees outside, and a cold, smooth pina colada sounds really nice. I wanted to share this amazing, and very easy recipe with you. Maybe after you get your kids to bed, you can try it.
Ingredients:
3 oz. Light Rum
3 tbsp. Coconut Cream
3 tbsp. Crushed Pineapple
Put everything in a blender with 2 cups crushed ice. Blend on high until it looks smooth.
Enjoy!