Let me start by saying that kids are wonderful, but they can sometimes drain the joy from what we once cherished as weekends. The shift is swift once you become a parent. Weekends may still hold the promise of excitement and a break from routine, but those expectations often get overshadowed by the realities of parenthood. After raising two children and experiencing countless weekends filled with their antics, I’ve noted a few key ways that weekends have evolved:
1. Your Fun Factor Takes a Hit
Let’s be honest; social media is a culprit here. After a week filled with the demands of motherhood, I find myself content to lounge in pajamas, watch cartoons, and even skip brushing teeth on a Saturday morning. But then I scroll through Facebook and see friends taking their kids to amusement parks or enjoying picnics. Suddenly, I feel the urge to turn off the TV and embark on our own mini-adventure. At the very least, we must get out of our pajamas.
2. “Wild” Now Means Something Different
As parents, we quickly learn that prioritizing our children is essential for our sanity. This leads us to fill our weekends with birthday parties, sports practices, and playdates. Just when you think you’ll have a moment of quality time, you hear “I’m bored” from your oldest and “Can we watch more Caillou?” from the youngest. The focus shifts to keeping them entertained, and if I manage to catch a show like Dateline without dozing off, I feel like I’ve had an exhilarating night!
3. “Getting Wasted” Takes on New Meaning
The journey of parenting is anything but easy, and weekends used to be my escape for relaxation and reflection. Those days of enjoying a drink with friends, laughing until it hurt, and sleeping in are largely behind me. Now, if I can get through a night with adults without receiving a call about a minor disaster at home, it feels like a win.
4. Weekends? What Weekends?
Even before kids, weekends always felt too brief. But now, the concept of a weekend is almost absurd. Between driving them to activities and preparing for the chaos of the upcoming week, my time is consumed with their needs. It turns into a strategic huddle for the family to plan how to tackle the week’s challenges. As the team captain—also known as mom—I strive to keep everyone on track.
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In summary, weekends as a parent can often feel like a juggling act, where the joys of leisure are replaced by the responsibilities of family life. While the fun may look different now, it’s still filled with love and laughter, even amidst the chaos.