Through the Seasons

Taking the Day Off

I always say that mothers don’t get a day off.  You can’t just call in sick, curl up in bed with a book and cup of coffee, and rest all day.  You must keep going no matter what.

But I guess that’s not entirely true.

Last night I had a terrible night of sleep.  A mosquito was buzzing around my head, the dogs were barking, the washing machine was running, the power went off, some machine in the house went dead and started beeping…  One thing after another until about 6am when Asher started waking to try to nurse early I realized I needed to grab every minute of sleep I could even if broken up all throughout the night and morning.

About 9am, Asher indicated that we were up for the day.  And that’s when I made the decision to take the day off.  Not from mothering.  That, indeed, is impossible (and not desirable really anyway).  But I will not be running around cleaning the house today.  I will not cook an elaborate meal tonight.  I will not think about Thanksgiving or Christmas.  I will not worry about the status of Asher’s stocking.  This is a no worry day!  I will not look past today!  I may not even look past this morning, this hour, this moment…

Instead I’ll try to catch some relaxation here and there within the normal motherly duties of changing diapers and making meals. I’ll read my book but not worry about making much progress.  I won’t stop Asher from climbing on me or handing me things to hold only to take them right back.  It’s just one of those days where I think I’ll kind of coast and let it come to me instead of trying to accomplish much.

I might even play some… have a little fun.  It is a day off after all!