taking time for yourself without the guilt

Back in the island. kids are now going back to school and more than 2 weeks off. Parenting is a full time job and its the most important one. but like any other job, we are still prone to get fed up, frustrated etc. although its a full time job, vacations and days off are also needed. This is take a step back and see the whole picture and be grateful for it. but off course, Guilt is the main factor that hinders especially for mothers. We would feel that our house will catch on fire and our kids will become dogs as soon as we go. but actually they don't. Here are some tips that can help you take the much needed time off and enjoy it as well.

1. Leave kids in able hands. We are quite fortunate here in the Philippines that we enjoy a very close relationship with our immediate family. whenever we go, our kids stay with their grandparents on either side. This gives them opportunity to have some quality time with their grand parents and feel spoiled rotten for a few days or weeks. This is also a way to get back at the grandparents on their " get back" scheme of spoiling grandchildren to get back at us. The will realize these after a few days.

2. Leave a house schedule and Kids Schedule. I left a household help schedule along with things to do on a daily, weekly, etc basis. I also left a daily sched for kids so they don't just watch the whole time. this will be a good basis on the rules and some sort of your presence.

3. Equip the kids with communication lines. besides the phone, i put up a computer and taught my kid to use skype. So they can see us anytime they want too.

4. Do the grocery before you leave. This will at least give them a few days or weeks, depending on how much grocery you did, on the diet you want to keep them in. When its finish, they will just have a couple of days break

5. Try to call at least every 2 days. this will just be enough for them to start wondering where you are. if its more often, they will just feel being pestered, beside we want to feel missed too.

6. Enjoy your vacation. It will be a wasted vacation if you don't enjoy it. instead of achieving what you needed to do and feel refreshed. you just wasted all time and money. Shed the mother martyr face and have some (clean) fun.