Spring has sprung and we are all waiting to go outdoors! Not only are the kids restless with their pent up energy toughing out the long winter months indoors, but so are the parents.
Every parent may feel a bit frazzled now and again, but for most parents how easy it is and how nice it must be to say, “Hey, take over, I need some downtime” to your significant other. Most single parents do not get the luxury of doing that without a well thought out plan and a willing person to take over. You could probably use a little of that downtime right now if you are a single parent. It is probably long overdue for you.
Why not celebrate spring and make those plans? Taking some time for yourself gives you renewed strength and energy. Find someone to take over if even for a couple of hours. Decide what you really want to do outdoors and do it. Have you been waiting to go for a long walk down the pier at the beach all winter? Have you really wanted to go bike riding all by yourself? Have you wanted to do some shopping without the hustle and bustle of trying to keep an eye out and shop with your kids in tow? Maybe you just want to take a book, go sit under a tree at the park, and read uninterrupted. Whatever you decide that you would like to do there are only two rules. Rule number one is that you have to go away from the house. Rule number two is that this something special has to be for you and you alone.
You cannot keep going without feeling dragged down and out of sorts for very long without doing something special for yourself occasionally. Eventually, it will get to you. When it gets to you, it backfires onto the rest of the family. Take some time for yourself now that it is spring and you will find a better feeling you under all the worries and singlestresses of parenting.
Angel Lynn writes in weight loss, single parenting, and health.