Day of Rest

Mother guilt is a really powerful thing. So powerful that even though logically I knew it wasn’t bad to want a “day off” from the kids, even though logically I knew that I had “earned” it, I still felt guilty for counting down the days to it wanting it. Why is it that my brain tells me its perfectly normal and OK to need a break, yet my heart tells me I’m a bad mother for wanting to spend even the smallest time apart from the girls??? Am I the only one who experiences this conundrum?

In any event, I did have my day off yesterday, since Rocky had the girls for the whole day. 9 hours of time to do whatever I wanted stretched before me. I was torn as to how to spend my time! There’s so many ways I’d have liked to spend the day; so many things that I could do so much easier with kids in tow – where to start? And how much can I cram into 9 hours, yet still feel relaxed and refreshed at the end of it??

So, I tried to find a balance of “to do” things and “me time” and this is how I spent my day:

• Started the day with a 1 hour aromatherapy massage (using up the last of a gift voucher to a Day Spa from my brothers and sisters-in-law for my birthday). Bliss!!! I wanted to stay there all day and just doze amongst the scented candles, essential oils and therapeutic hands…
• Headed into town to wander the shops. Going into the city with 1 or 2 kids along for the ride would be anything but relaxing, so I very rarely go into town.
• First stop: the walk-in nail salon that will Buff, Shape and Polish your fingernails for $12 with no appointment. I’m not usually a get-your-nails-painted kind of girl, but I felt like indulging myself. Again, pretty relaxing having someone else pamper me for 20 minutes!
• Next stop: Myer to buy a bra. I don’t know about you, but buying a bra seems to take me ages! Definitely something that’s easier to do on your own. Given that the last 6 years have been punctuated by 2 pregnancies and almost 4 years of breastfeeding, my sizing is all over the place so I never know what to get! But now that Chiq is starting to drop the midday feed, I thought it was time to buy a non-maternity bra for a change – even one with underwire!! (I know, I am easily excited )
• Last stop in town: Borders Bookshop (the reason I went to town and not to the suburban shopping centres). Now this was really blissful – a whole hour to wander and browse the huge array of books, flick through some interesting ones, even sit in a chair and read for a little while! I didn’t look at one kid’s book, or have to chase anyone up the escalator, or stop anyone from ripping the pages….what an indulgence! I was actually quite restrained, though, despite the temptation to walk out of there with an armful of books (I am usually a binge book-buyer; I can’t help myself) I only bought one book (Getting Things Done).
• Headed home to have a bit of a chill-out – have some lunch (didn’t have to share it with anyone!), watch a little TV, surf the net, read the paper.
• At 4:30 decided to go out and buy a DVD player (on my to do list for ages). Picked up my bag and keys and walked out the door. Strolled into the shop at 4:45 – plenty of time to browse, find the right deal and pay (unthinkable with kids in tow). (DVD players are so cheap these days! Pretty happy with $65)
• Came home to relax for an hour before the kids returned.
• The mother guilt did kick in throughout the day, though – in amongst all these things I also did 3 loads of washing, vacuumed and mopped the floors and prepared dinner.

All in all, it was a good day. I felt satisfied, relaxed and refreshed at the end of it. I only have Chiq at home today (Guerita slept over with Rocky last night and he’s taking her to the Royal Show today – better him than me!), so we’ll potter around and take things easy. Might have to start packing for our trip to Sydney, but not much else…

So, what would be on your list of things to do if you had a child free day? How would you spend it?