I was so stressed on Saturday. Jeremy has been working long hours putting in or fixing computer networks in different school systems while they are on school break. He had to work on Saturday as well. He got home about 4:00 pm just as I was starting to fix dinner. As soon as dinner was done, I put him in charge and left. I just had to have a Mommy time out. I went to Dairy Queen with Sherlock Holmes and got some food and a drink. After a while of reading, I called and talked to my Dad. It really helped, plus I got a nice blizzard before leaving, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups with chocolate ice cream. Yum!
I could see a difference in my attitude when I got home. Amie’s new scooter (that James had ridden without her knowledge) and Christine’s tricycle were sitting right where I needed to park. Instead of getting very angry with them (as I would have before leaving) I just calmly told James and Christine to put them away. They are supposed to put them away when they are done playing with them, but you know kids. Actually, Amie has been doing a good job of taking care of her new scooter, probably since she bought it herself.
Anyway, I think I’ll do that every once in a while. Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson are nice companions and I just have to get some down time somedays.
You know, I’ve read in some parenting books that sometimes you just have to put yourself in time out and explain to kids that’s the point: it’s time out to help change your attitude.
hmmm…i may need some of that…