The world of single parenting is extra hectic and sometimes we feel like all we do is try to keep up....with the schedule, with the mess, with the bills, everything.
It's a constant rush and when we finally have some "free time," we moms feel pressured to do something fun and exciting with our kids. I've been this way for years, trying to come up with different places to go and things to do every time we have a day or even an afternoon free, or at least with nothing major to attend to.
Many times these planned events have worked out great, but just as often, there's a glitch, and it really wasn't worth the time, effort, or expense. Either another opportunity comes up at the last minute, there's traffic (never much of a surprise!) or a weather complication, someone's sick or just not in the mood, to rush to a scheduled fun time!
It's taken a few reminders from other moms that my kids mostly want my time and love, and while a day trip now and then for a mini vacation is great, I don't have to constantly plan for every day off from school to entertain them. There's something terrific about coming up with an idea spontaneously - like going for a bike ride, hitting a beach we've never been to before, cleaning out the garage together, playing Scrabble on the porch. I have to remember it's more about the time together than creating a huge list of fascinating places we've been to together!
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