My Toddler Says, ‘There’s No Such Thing As Mommy-Time’
I had just reached this point, completely exasperated, when I glared at my daughter and said, “I need a little mommy-time, sweetheart.”
My three year old looked at me with a completely serious expression and deadpanned, “There’s no such thing as mommy-time.”
And ya know, as I sat there in the bathroom with my pre-schooler straddling the bathtub, talking to me as I use the restroom, I had to agree with her. When both my daughter and I are home, there is no such thing as mommy-time.
If I drop her off with a family member so that I can have a random night out, that can be considered personal time. Or if she stays home with my husband while I go run errands, I think of it as “me-time.” Anything that gets my daughter and I in separate places has the opportunity to become my own precious minutes of solitude. But if my daughter and I are within screaming distance, there’s no such thing as mommy-time.
I’m not sure if any parent out there feels differently. Am Imissing a chance to enjoy my home, all on my own? Is there a way to be home with your family and not be constantly responding to your toddler’s needs? Even if I say “No” to whatever she’s asking, we’re still talking to each other. She still gets to ask. She’s still commanding my attention. I don’t consider those minutes to be mommy-time.
What about you guys? Do you think it’s possible to have alone time, even with the kids in the house? And can anyone tell me how on earth to get in the bathroom alone, without interruption? Holding it until nap time doesn’t count, by the way.
(Photo: Stilettos And Motherhood)