Photo by Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash
I’m sure all my fellow parents can appreciate the post-Christmas hangover. Not a literal hangover (though some may have that too). I’m talking about the dreaded few days after Christmas where all you want to do is sleep because in the days leading up to Christmas you checked your list more than once thinking long and hard about all the gifts for everyone on your list, in the hopes that you got each person the perfect gift (especially your children). While I felt like I killed it this year with the gift giving, I knew that those awesome presents the kids loved on Christmas morning would be the same ones that were either tossed aside or fought over for the next week. That was unless I gave myself the best gift of all. No, my gift didn’t come in a box, but in the form of daycare!
This year, I avoided all the drama of sibling arguments by sending them to daycare for the three days after Christmas. I see some of you with the side eye of judgment right now, but hear me out. Not only did I avoid the bickering, threatening to take away their toys, and general exhaustion of cooking for two picky eaters, but they were also happy to be back in their routines. Okay, maybe not the first day back (that was a struggle) but after dropping them off that first day, they arrived home each day so thrilled to have been in their routines with their teachers and their friends. And no, I don’t regret a single moment of sitting my butt on the couch while binge-watching some television (which I never get to do anymore with three kids under five and one on the way). Sitting is such a novel concept, let alone sitting and consuming television.
I’m not sorry for the peace and quite I got while only caring for the almost one-year-old. Now it wasn’t a Martha Stewart kind of experience where I spent my day straightening the house, scrubbing the floors, and cooking a meal for my husband for when he got home from work (sorry babe), but I’m fine with it.
The point is, when my kids got home from daycare I had more of myself to give them, rather than feeling like a completely exhausted mess. Now don’t get me wrong, I love those kids with all my heart, but I’m also a better mom when I’ve had a little bit of rest and relaxation myself. They say on airplanes that you should always put your oxygen mask on first before helping others, and this is my version of doing exactly that. Plus, I paid for daycare this month, so why not take advantage, am I right?
If you kept your perfect angels close to you at home and no one fought this entire week I want to give you a high-five. Unfortunately, that’s just not my life right now. Not having to be on my feet refereeing disagreements at every turn for the past three days has been glorious and I’m ready to have them back home with me for the weekend.
So thanks daycare, for keeping me sane, allowing me some time to relax and regain a piece of myself again. Best. Gift. Ever. #notsorry