Strollerderby

Sometimes The Best Thing Is a Little QUIET

Posted by Kelly Mills
quietWhen dad and English teacher Robert Wilder turned 41, what he wanted more than anything was a few hours of quiet. Meaning a little chunk of time where he didn't have to talk to anyone, answer questions, argue over snacks, sing songs, or otherwise yap yap yap. I feel that. Anyhow, he made like the monks do and took a short vow of silence. Wisely, he took most of it out of the house. It's a pretty nice story about how to carve out some "not-giving" time, and since most of us parents give lots during the day, it's a good practice. Though I suspect those in my household would welcome my vow of silence even more than I would.

I'm not sure I could shut my trap for that long, but I do love the idea of shaking off the jobs I do for a little bit and getting to just read and sit and be very calm and unlike my usual self. But you know, I've noticed that when I do get free time, I get all squirrely. Is that an occupational hazard of parenting? Maybe you have to be thoughtful about it, or just make it a habit or something. Anyone had any luck with this?  


+ DIGG + STUMBLE
Posted Aug 29 2007, 10:31 AM
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Comments

 

RachelZ said:

I "get" Sunday afternoons off.  Completely off.  Meaning I leave the house sans kid, sans diaper bag, all of it.  I take my keys and my wallet, and that's it.  I normally head to the local bookstore to drink a latte or two and read trashy magazines, but sometimes I find that the free time feels a little like I'm cheating.

I can't always turn off the "shoulds," which makes for restless playtime.  Like, I "should" be doing laundry.  I "should" be at the grocery store... it goes on.  Making that go away for a few hours is the hardest part of having Me Time.

But then again, without Mama's Free Time, Mama goes a little insane, so even if I spend the time at the grocery store by myself, I am still BY MYSELF!!

August 29, 2007 1:55 PM

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