Me time

It was on Saturday last that my husband half way through the day picked up son number 2 and 3 from my own errand running car on his way home. I arrived home an hour later and my husband bounded out to help me with the baggage. He kissed me and said "so did you have some 'me time?'" I had to laugh out loud. No wonder Mason is having trouble with math with his dad thinking 4 take away two means zero. chuckle chuckle. It got me to thinking about the concept of "me time". Let's face it, a stay at home mom who has decided to homeschool her four energetic children ranging from 13 months to 9 years doesn't have a strong expectation for "me time".

However, I would be lying if I didn't need a little something, a little space, a little breathing room. This  was brought to my contemplation when on going out with the girls I sat on the far end of a long bench, opposite the end where my sister was sitting, my mom coming to sit just next to me on the tiny end unoccupied. I moved over for her and she kept moving toward me all the while my sister was scooting too. I felt suddenly claustrophobic. I realize I just needed some space, no one leaning in, clinging to my legs, needing something, whining, whispering in my ear etc. As my sister kept whispering in my ear, I found myself continuing to back away, almost to an offending degree. I had to laugh at my realization.  "Girls just give me a minute to breath."

I get it, having kids is just a little "crowding". Our culture is pervaded with this topic, but to what degree? When do we stop with the "time for me"...after damaging the children? Just like the human condition to take a positive concept and push it to an unhealthy extreme. Good parents do need time management and time for just them but what our culture doesn't need more of is "me time". It needs time spent in productive behavior, disciplined behavior; time spent evaluating and growing, changing for the better, setting ground rules and boundaries for the good of the family. There's a novel concept: "family". It isn't me anymore, it is "us". The team. We work together for each other and hopefully, to help make the world a better place. I will never forget the epiphany Anne Shirley had in Anne of Avonlea, "It is not what the world holds for you, it's what you bring to it".

To my family I want to always bring a grateful heart, full of appreciation for what they give to me just by being them. So the principles God gave us should live in our homes, not the concepts of a fallen and languishing world.

"Do unto others as you would have them do to you..."
"What you sow you shall reap..."
"Give and it will be given you..."
"Work as unto the Lord..."

Don't get me wrong, my kids go to bed at 7:00 most every night and I love the structure of our routines. They should see mom and dad liking to be together and the goals and hobbies we have on our own but "me time" doesn't make me a better mom. Perspective and gratitude make me a better mom. Sacrifice and patience make me a better mom.

By all means go out and get your toes done, get a massage or a coffee with a friend. Sit by the lake or any place of beauty and feel that fleeting sensation that I think is referred to as tranquility. Men, don't neglect those women who give so much of themselves to create an environment that is family....that is home. But lets keep it all in perspective my friends. "Me time" only is enhancing to those who already embrace what their purpose at home is and take pains to fulfill it, with the ever increasing understanding that the whole picture is greater than the moments, but the moments are choosing the colors that will be slowly and painstakingly worked into the artistry of the whole picture.