Mommy Time Out

Today I needed a Mommy Time Out. Now I know how some people may feel about me confessing this. There are those on one side of the fence who are cheering for me...saying, "You go girl! You need some time for yourself!" And then the other side who are thinking, "What? A Mommy Time Out? That sounds completely selfish. What kind of mom is she anyway?" 

So here it is. I am the kind of mom whose brain is constantly thinking of the 15 things that need to be done just in the next hour. I find that I can not relax until the checklist is complete (which you know it NEVER is!). I am a perfectionist (which doesn't help). I adore my family. They are the family I prayed for.  I longed for. That I lose sleep for...well, not too much sleep because you know this Simple Mama needs her naps. But sometimes I just need a moment. Not to get my nails done (although that is fun sometimes). Not to go shopping or out with friends (also super fun). But just to breathe and refocus. 

So my husband spontaneously offered to keep the kids entertained for a couple of hours so I could get myself together. This is the best gift he could ever give me. Time...to breathe, to think, to be in my own home in the quiet. I could have taken a nice hot bath, read a book, caught up on my DVR. But nope, I cleaned. 

For me having an orderly home helps me survive the chaos that is a busy life with a hubby and 2 littles. And it is completely amazing how much I can get done in 90 minutes without interruptions. So even though this was not a planned part of our day (we really didn't have the time to do this), I cranked up my favorite tunes and got our home organized. I put things away, folded those towels that had been in the dryer for 5 days (yes, 5 days!), did a quick clean of  the house (more on this later), and ate lunch while typing this post. 

Am I selfish for needing a minute to breathe? Maybe. But will I be a better wife and mommy for allowing myself a Mommy Time Out? Absolutely.