By Fredrica Syren:
A very good friend of mine is going overseas on a business trip for a week and will leave her two small children for the very first time since they were born. First I was excited that she gets to visit a foreign country, but then I felt her pain over leaving her kids for a week. They will be with their very capable dad so they will be fine, but I’m sure they will miss Mom terribly.
I saw how stressed she was but when I told her to please enjoy sleeping, eating and going to the bathroom in peace. I could see a glimmer of excitement … followed by guilt.
As moms, it’s so hard to leave our kids behind for overnights trips. We always feel so guilty. I know I have yet to leave my kids to go away, and the few times I have been home alone for an hour I have so enjoyed doing things without them. I love how I can take a shower without someone crying or talking to me. I love eating slowly and really enjoy hot food. I enjoy taking a nap. (It does not happen very often!) But when I even consider leaving them I do feel guilty. It’s sad because we should never feel guilty to want some alone time or even adult time without them. We’re just human, and recharging our battery to be a happy mom should never be wrong.
I surely hope my friend relishes every moment alone and takes advantage of it to the fullest. I know she is a great mom; her homecoming will be so sweet.
