"Me Time"

[AfterSchoolMom]

I normally adore this blog, and read it all the time. I just came across this particular post, though, and it ticked me off. We've done so much back and forth discussion about this exact thing here that I thought you all would definitely have some input!!

http://www.rantsfrommommyland.com/2010/03/mommyland-confessional-welcome-to.html

Pay particular attention to the reader comments at the end.

[MommyMuffin]

I was afraid to reply but here goes.
My inital thought was, so what if they bring them to daycare? We still get paid. I would love some me time too!

But by the time I finished reading the comments I was a little irritated. My vent is that if you GET to be a SAHM why the heck would you use the money your husband works soooo hard for so you can sit on your butt? Sure a little me time is just but some of them take it to the extreme.

I understand we all need a little me time but those readers made it seem like their children are just the biggest burden and they couldnt wait to take them to daycare. Sad.

Do you think they still try to bring their kids to daycare when the kid is sick so they dont miss their morning talk show?::

[MN Mom]

I posted a comment...it's set for "review" before it gets seen. I doubt they'll put it up...it was pretty harsh.

Those women (in the comments section) disgust me. I understand the need for "me time" but I don't feel the need to take it every day, or week for that matter. To them it's like a drug..one taste and they are hooked. What happens when their daily 2 hours etc isn't enough anymore to satisfy their "need"? I find my personal time to be much more refreshing and special if I only do it every so often, kwim? I'd rather get up extra early, or stay up an hour past their bedtime to get peace and quiet than miss out on their formative years while having another woman / man doing my job.

So sad /shakes head.

[AfterSchoolMom]

Yes, exactly that, MommyMuffin. It's not that I begrudge a parent for taking some time now and again... especially as they're right and the provider is getting paid for it.

What I object to is the attitude of these parents, the dishonesty (changing back into work clothes? really?!) and the assumption that the provider will be "oh so happy" to deal with their child all week because they don't feel like doing it. These moms haven't heard our stories of the kids who watch the window, waiting for Mom and Dad.

I've been a SAHM for ten years too. I've watched everyone's kids, and I do childcare now. I appreciate "me time" as well, but not to that extent!

[MN Mom]

Ha! My comment was posted....I was so sure they wouldn't put it up.

[Blackcat31]

Yes, exactly that, MommyMuffin. It's not that I begrudge a parent for taking some time now and again... especially as they're right and the provider is getting paid for it.

What I object to is the attitude of these parents, the dishonesty (changing back into work clothes? really?!) and the assumption that the provider will be "oh so happy" to deal with their child all week because they don't feel like doing it. These moms haven't heard our stories of the kids who watch the window, waiting for Mom and Dad.

I've been a SAHM for ten years too. I've watched everyone's kids, and I do childcare now. I appreciate "me time" as well, but not to that extent!

This is no different than a parent allowing a child to have candy for breakfast....it goes along with our thread about thinking it is us and not the parents.....Parents are afraid to be truthful with their child or have to explain anything to them....no one says "Because I said so." This mom does not want to have to be accountable to her child....which in my honest opinion, I don't think she should have to be. I didn't explain my behavior or my choices to my kids.....I am the parent, they are the child. I am the boss.

Bringing her child to daycare so she can have "me time" is perfectly acceptable now; especially this generation of parents...unfortunately, I don't think it is going to get better...just worse. :confused:

As long as I am paid, I don't care if they drive down the block and sit and pick their nose all day. NOT my problem.

[AfterSchoolMom]

Whoa, MN Mom! You tell 'em! Lol!

[morgan24]

I don't care either, but I expect to be informed of where I can get a hold of them if needed. I still expect drop off and pick up at the same time. I do tell them if they drop off later and their child doesn't lay down at regular nap time, I will call and you can pick up right away. I have only had that happen once. Dcm was not happy but I warned her it would happen. That just because you are taking a day off doesn't mean you can mess up my work day. She still griped and I told her that her other option was to find other care, her choice.

[MyAngels]

I'm with Blackcat on this one - what they do when they drop the kids off makes no difference to me.

I am surprised, however, at the immaturity of the person who wrote the original blog. Seriously, if you need that time away from your child, and have decided, as the parent, that it's what's best, then put on your big girl panties and drop the child off at daycare without the pretense.

[youretooloud]

I don't care where the parents are, or what they are doing. If I'm paid, I'm happy. But, I don't want to be lied to.

It's like the parents who say "She's allergic to strawberries" when the truth is she just hates strawberries, she's not at all allergic to them. But, now I have to make special arrangements for our menu. When in reality, all I need to do was say "just don't eat it if you don't like it".

I can handle nearly anything... just don't treat me like I'm stupid enough to fall for lies..... AND I don't even CARE. I don't care if the parent is pole dancing. I don't care if she's watching Rosie Odonnel.

[youretooloud]

.

I am surprised, however, at the immaturity of the person who wrote the original blog. Seriously, if you need that time away from your child, and have decided, as the parent, that it's what's best, then put on your big girl panties and drop the child off at daycare without the pretense.

A stay at home mom deserves how many hours of free time? Because she's been "doing it all" for all these years? How about OUR daycare parents who have a JOB? I think they are far more deserving than a stay at home mom.

[mrsp'slilpeeps]

Personaly when i dont have any kids here including my own (day off, own kids at school), I am bored stiff. My husband ask's me what did you do today? I say nothing. He says good, you deserve it. I say i hated it!! I need kids, noise and something to clean!!

I have been a SAHM for 11yrs and the only person who should be raising your kids is you and the DCP who helps you do your parenting job while you provide for your kids and household.

[MyAngels]

A stay at home mom deserves how many hours of free time? Because she's been "doing it all" for all these years? How about OUR daycare parents who have a JOB? I think they are far more deserving than a stay at home mom.

I wasn't really commenting on who is deserving of time away from their children. I think that's a personal decision that each parent must make for themselves.

I just think it's silly and immature to pretend like you're going to work in order to drop your child off at daycare only to go home and do whatever it is you want to do. If you've made the decision as a parent that you need this time away from your children, then simply be mature enough to own it.

[youretooloud]

I wasn't really commenting on who is deserving of time away from their children. I think that's a personal decision that each parent must make for themselves.

No, you weren't. I was. She was saying how she'd done everything for everybody else for ten years, and now she should have (insert amount of time) of me time, because she deserves it more, since she's a stay at home mom.

[MamaBear]

I LOVE the comment!

I LOVE the comment from the disgusted mom in MN!!! AWESOME and perfectly said!!!!!!!!