Dear Moms: Stop Apologizing For Needing a Break.

Why should I feel bad for needing to step away sometimes? Answer: I shouldn’t. Neither should you.

I did an interview for a podcast earlier this week and I was talking about the #momlife. Something I was explaining involved me talking about how I need to be separate from my kids sometimes. Immediately, I apologized. It was simply automatic to apologize for that. I’ve been thinking about that moment ever since then. We live in a climate that shames moms for everything under the sun and we are almost ready for it before it has even happened and subsequently overly apologetic.!

There are running jokes about Moms who hide in the bathroom to eat a snack or even sit in a dark laundry room to take a breather. Except, it’s not a joke. It’s totally real life. I don’t know about you, but I hide at least once a day. One of my kids is six, which equals never ending chatter/questions, and apparently, constant starvation. But really, the kid is always hungry and wants some of whatever I’m having (which started sometime around birth). Obviously, I can’t hide from Charlie unless she is asleep or happily contained in her exersaucer… (thank you- whoever invented those…) Nevertheless, I find time to get my breaks in. I’m a happier person, a more engaged wife, and a much better mother when I have time and space to breathe (or eat..ha!).

The key to an effective “mom break” is what you do with your time. Whether it’s meditating, reading, checking Instagram, or eating. As long as you are taking that mental hiatus, even for a few minutes, it helps! I struggle with not eating all day because I don’t set aside the time. This usually ends in me binging on candy or ice cream while I’m hiding somewhere, like I mentioned.

Whatever you do with your break, just make it about YOU. Your family will thank you for taking care of yourself!

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