Do you need time?

Every evening, when me and my boys are settling in, I tell them to give me a moment. They love jumping into my bed, and burying themselves in the blankets. The day has been long, so I usually like this time to myself.

So I tell them very kindly, “I’ve been busy all day, these are the moments I’d like to myself. Thank you.”

My nine year old always takes this personally. If you’re a mother, you know boys are overprotective of you and can be clingy. He gets upsets and acts as if I’ve banished him from the home. I feel that more mothers should institute when they need a moment.

When I am eating, the deal is…leave me alone. Let me breathe and think. I do have to repeat this, especially to my nine year old – he loves to talk! He does get offended but comes back around. Typically, he is a happy kid.

I started setting little boundaries so I could finish tasks, get rest, think…use the bathroom. I want them to understand that mommies are people who need to eat and rest, not machines to do their bidding.

What I view this as, though, is being surrounded by love. I’ve had a hard life, having my own sons be absolutely crazy about me is everything. They try to fetch things for me, and my nine year old feels the need to “protect me” (even though it’s technically my job to protect him.)

I wouldn’t change how they are, but a little me time goes a long way.