Week-ends
What ever happend to the 6 day school week?! My son is good at playing independently until the week-end, when we as his parents are obviously supposed to be his playmates. When we tell him that Mommy and Daddy need time-out, which we do, from time to time, during the day, he looks betrayed and sulky.
Let him.
I know that I’m doing him a favor, in a tough-love kind of way. We have plenty of bonding time during the day, pretty much any time he wants it, and he’s one of the most affectionate little guys in the world. We have more bonding time during bath and “Snuggle and Sing” time, so I feel quite entitled to my quiet time, and he has plenty of toys, and cartoons to keep him amused, for that 10 mins. to 1h, when I’m ranting in my weblog, or checking my emails, or eating my lunch.
I’ve told other parents, often enough, that they’re entitled and even obligated to do what-ever they need to do to recharge their batteries. It’s the only way that anyone can go back to being a good parent, as opposed to a cranky parent, using judgement colored by fatigue or resentment. It’s also one of the best ways to keep from getting sick.
We say that we’re “sick of” doing certain things for a reason. We say that we’re “tired to death” of doing things for a reason. If we don’t take a break from doing those things, regularly, then we actually begin to suffer from petty ailments and muscular aches that can become costly in terms of doctors bills, and lack of ability to enjoy our family and have them enjoy us.
I’ve recently come down w/ a case of Planter Fascitis. I didn’t do enough to take care of it when it flared up, and now I’m hobbling round on a crutch, and my son is having to do a lot more for himself, lately that I used to do for him, which is a mixed blessing. On the other hand, it’s harder to do dishes and laundry when you’re leaning on a crutch, or trying not to put weight on a bum foot, so I am becoming a burden on my husband.
I also can’t get to my troupe’s belly dance performance, and am in a certain amount of pain.
To amuse myself, and make it easier to keep my foot elevated for longer periods of time, I’ve downloaded Skype so that my son and I can talk to AND SEE my neice and brother.
If you haven’t seen my brother Dan’s site, yet, http://www.danshaw.com I highly recommend it. It has some really great tips on the efficacy of checking out different types of calendars.
Sometimes all you need is a change.
Sometimes all you need is a new kind of toy. You can find an amazing one by checking out this website: http://www.jugglingworld.biz/tricks/tricks_astrojax.html The physicist, that created this toy, Larry Shaw, is my other brother. He has also written some really great music, and is in the process of putting out another album.
You can hear some of my brother’s music at this site: http://www.mp3.com/artist/larry-shaw/summary/
He has called himself “The King of Slow” on one of his albums, but his music is very eclectic, so don’t be fooled by that.
Well I have to get up and stretch now, because I’ve been at my computer for quite a while, Today. Have a great week, readers, and take care of yourselves.