I'm not a parent myself so I can't directly relate, but so much of what you talk about resonates with me. I absolutely must have alone time. I not only enjoy it but it's also necessary for restoring my energy levels. What you say about getting overstimulated much more quickly than a few years ago is very much what I'm feeling at the moment. And tolerance going down, yep. It's great to read about how you're starting to be a bit more proactive and the benefits you're feeling. It must be incredibly challenging to ring fence this time but I hope you can keep carving it out.
The responsibility of being a parent is the hardest thing to explain to someone who hasn't done it, I couldn't have grasped it before. You feel like you're never able, or allowed, to do something just because you feel like it. While my daughter is at nursery I feel guilty about picking up my guitar or sitting in the garden with a coffee because that's "Work Time." If she's with grandparents, I feel like I should be cleaning up or doing washing... or something.
Kamila is almost 2 now though, and she's started to get a lot more independent. She will happily play with her toys in the living room for a while, and will usually ignore me if I start to play guitar :)
One of the weirdest shameful feelings I get is being slightly jealous of older people, like parents and in-laws who have grown-up children and can do whatever they like again.
I can so relate to this! I’m definitely in the introvert camp and with two children now all I want is to be alone. You shouldn’t feel guilty about it; embrace it. 24 hours in Paris sounds fantastic. I think you are right you almost have to construct the time away otherwise it doesn’t happen. I have one day a week where both children are at nursery and my partner is at work and honestly it is my most cherished time. It’s so important to me and with illness and jobs to do it’s not guaranteed but when I get it, it is golden. 🙌🏻
I'm not a parent myself so I can't directly relate, but so much of what you talk about resonates with me. I absolutely must have alone time. I not only enjoy it but it's also necessary for restoring my energy levels. What you say about getting overstimulated much more quickly than a few years ago is very much what I'm feeling at the moment. And tolerance going down, yep. It's great to read about how you're starting to be a bit more proactive and the benefits you're feeling. It must be incredibly challenging to ring fence this time but I hope you can keep carving it out.
fabulously written. Great milestone, congratulations
The responsibility of being a parent is the hardest thing to explain to someone who hasn't done it, I couldn't have grasped it before. You feel like you're never able, or allowed, to do something just because you feel like it. While my daughter is at nursery I feel guilty about picking up my guitar or sitting in the garden with a coffee because that's "Work Time." If she's with grandparents, I feel like I should be cleaning up or doing washing... or something.
Kamila is almost 2 now though, and she's started to get a lot more independent. She will happily play with her toys in the living room for a while, and will usually ignore me if I start to play guitar :)
One of the weirdest shameful feelings I get is being slightly jealous of older people, like parents and in-laws who have grown-up children and can do whatever they like again.
*oh and I totally relate to the alone time bit!
I can so relate to this! I’m definitely in the introvert camp and with two children now all I want is to be alone. You shouldn’t feel guilty about it; embrace it. 24 hours in Paris sounds fantastic. I think you are right you almost have to construct the time away otherwise it doesn’t happen. I have one day a week where both children are at nursery and my partner is at work and honestly it is my most cherished time. It’s so important to me and with illness and jobs to do it’s not guaranteed but when I get it, it is golden. 🙌🏻