In my prior blog, I wrote about the negative feelings that we can develop toward our kids. We live in chaos on a daily basis, so who can expect us to feel warm and fuzzy toward our kids all the time?

The truth is, parents need a “time out” just as much as our kids do. When our kids are misbehaving, we sometimes put them in a time out to get a break from the situation. Why should parents be any different?

When parents are expected to be super heroes, constantly giving and getting nothing in return, we get stressed out and potentially abusive parents. Stressed parents need to take care of themselves and take a “time out” to recharge.

Imagine you have a set of batteries. You put them in your digital camera, take a bunch of pictures and then your camera displays a message that it’s time to replace the batteries. You might get another picture or two out of the batteries, but then what? No more beautiful pictures. You can turn those batteries around all you want, but they still won’t give you any more pictures. Until you put in new batteries or recharge the old ones your camera won’t function.

Parents are the same way. We have to recharge our bodies and most importantly, our spirits and minds. Whether we take a short time out and take a nap, read a book, take a walk, soak in a bubble bath or whatever your stress release is, or go further and actually leave the house for an extended period of time, we need that time.

If you are parenting with a partner, when was the last time you spent quality time with your partner? I’m not talking about giving each other a rundown of what happened during the day, but actual time where you spent talking about something other than the kids. My husband and I have a weekend away coming up. A friend of ours is getting married a few hours away. We are dropping off Hannah at a friend’s house and going to the wedding without kids. A rare treat, but one we are taking full advantage of.

If you’re feeling angry, stressed, drained or any of those other negative emotions, tell the kids that you need a time out and head off to your room, or put the kids in their rooms while you take some time for yourself. You have certainly earned it.



Photo credit - Kelly L. Killian