Day Off While Home Alone Means Getting Things Done

 I took a day off from work early last week to catch up on some sleep after a busy week at work and the unexpectedly hectic weekend that followed. Home alone– husband at work, kids at daycare– I was amazed at how much I accomplished.

First, I set about being lazy or, to put it in a more favorable light, recharging my batteries. After everyone was up and out of the house, I hit the couch and took a two and a half hour nap. 

But it wasn’t all leisure time. I also cleaned the house, which is next to impossible to do when the kids are around. As little time it takes to clean a toilet, I would still be interrupted with requests for help and attention if I was to tackle the job when I wasn’t alone.

When the cleaning was done, I also managed to finish the book I had been reading since Christmas. Again, no one bothered me with crying or questions or requests– it was amazing. I thought about working in another nap, but I found myself checking work email instead, just so I wouldn’t fall way behind at work for having caught up at home.

I suppose I should feel guilty for taking a day off and not spending it with my children. But I think we are all happier for it– time spent alone cleaning means that I’ll have time on the weekend to devote to them, rather than vacuuming or scrubbing. I don’t know when I’ll get to take another day off like that, but I do think it’s a good idea for parents to steal a little “me” time whenever they can, even if they spend of the time polishing the sink.