Mothers quickly learn the value of solitary time. Yet, when that rare opportunity arises, figuring out the best way to utilize it can be a challenge. Should I tackle chores? Catch some Zs? Indulge in some self-care? Not quite. Here’s a more realistic portrayal of what happens instead:
- You tentatively call out “See you later!” as your kids and partner head out. A wave of guilt washes over you, but as you close the door, you start to feel a sense of relief. Taking a deep breath, you ponder how to make the most of this time while eyeing the chaos around the house—scattered toys, dirty dishes, and laundry awaiting attention.
- A shower? No way! You can’t squander precious alone time on that! A nap sounds tempting, but you resist the urge to sleep. Instead, you opt to do a load of laundry, thinking you can settle down with your emails afterward.
- But first, you decide to relish the rare opportunity to use the bathroom in peace—door wide open, of course.
- As you start the laundry, you glance at your worn-out workout clothes and contemplate putting in an exercise DVD or even going for a jog. But you quickly dismiss the idea; you can’t waste this golden hour on exercise.
- Your stomach growls, leading you to the kitchen, where you find yourself staring into the fridge. A piece of leftover birthday cake paired with cold coffee sounds like the perfect treat.
- With cake in hand, you finally sit down at your computer to check emails and pay bills. However, 25 minutes later, you realize you’ve spent that time mindlessly scrolling through Facebook and drooling over Pinterest recipes you’ll never try.
- You wander around the house, only to find yourself in the bathroom, where you start plucking those pesky stray gray hairs.
- Feeling the clock tick, you call your sister to share the news of your rare alone time, but quickly realize that time is slipping away while you chat. Your heart races with the realization that you have to make the most of this moment.
- You frantically scan the kitchen, spotting the crumbs on the sticky countertop. You grab a spray bottle and start cleaning, feeling a sense of accomplishment return.
- As you glance at the clock, you ponder, “I deserve a moment of relaxation, right?” You grab an old magazine that’s been collecting dust since it arrived three months ago and sink into the couch. Taking a deep breath, you open the magazine… and just two minutes later, the door swings open. “Mom, we’re back!”
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In summary, those few hours of solitude often slip away in a flurry of unproductive activities, leaving moms both relieved and a bit frazzled by the time their family returns.