Just like kids, moms have their breaking points. Whether it’s a toy that refuses to function, sticky hands covered in avocado, or an overabundance of bubbles in the tub, there are moments when frustration reaches a peak. We often place our little ones in a time-out—not as a form of punishment, but to provide them with a moment of peace to regain control.
It dawned on me that this concept could be just as beneficial for adults. How often have I felt on the verge of exploding over something trivial? A brief pause could do wonders. The recommended time-out is one minute for each year of age, so for a 2-year-old, that’s two minutes of quiet time; for a 3-year-old, three minutes, and so on. Here are nine times I would have appreciated a 41-minute retreat:
- After tackling the dishes, I turned around to find dirty pots and pans still lingering on the stove.
- Just as I was about to utter, “IF YOU CAN’T PUT YOUR SHOES ON BY YOURSELF, I WILL DISPOSE OF THEM,” I caught myself.
- I had just dressed for work, donned my stylish outfit, and was ready to walk out the door when someone smeared peanut butter all over my new skirt.
- When I visited a newly opened daycare just a five-minute stroll away and, after inquiring about fees, almost exclaimed, “For one child? Are they royalty? What do you serve them, caviar?”
- At a meeting with a financial advisor discussing our educational plans, he glanced at our 529 account and asked, “What about the next three years of college?”
- After a long day, I returned home with two hungry children, thinking scrambled eggs would be a quick meal, only to discover someone had returned the empty carton to the fridge.
- While out with my 5-year-old, he announced, “I need to poop,” and despite my urging to hold it until we got home, he had an accident in the car, leaving me wishing I could turn back time.
- On a rainy day, my child got car sick, and as I attempted to clean up the remnants of what was once a hummus lunch on the side of the highway, I hesitated to let him out of the car due to the traffic.
- I tried a friend’s recipe that was supposed to entice my kids to eat veggies, which took an hour to prepare, only for my younger child to dump it on the floor while the older one burst into tears.
Yes, it’s high time we normalize time-outs for parents. If you need me, I’ll be taking a break for 41 minutes.
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In summary, taking a moment for yourself can be just as crucial as managing your children’s emotions. Time-outs aren’t just for kids; they can be a much-needed respite for parents as well.