Becoming a full-time, work-from-home mom was my sole decision, too, and no matter how tempting being a career woman is, I wouldn't trade anything for the non-stop snuggles from my daughter. It's just that there are times when I want for it all - or at least, some of it - to be just about me. (To be quite honest, those "times" are usually around when I'm nearing my period. PMS galore!)
Here are 5 things I usually want whenever my selfish self comes by to say hello:
1. Quiet, alone time (!!!).
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| Taken way before selfies were a thing. Obvious naman sa quality ng camera. Haha. |
I can't remember the last time I went into the shower without having to step out a few minutes after because my toddler can't stop asking for a bowl of cereals. I'm not even asking for much here - although, a trip to the coffee shop without getting guilty over spending half the day there like I did in college wouldn't hurt at all! - just a few minutes inside the loo without anyone knocking, asking for Coco Crunch, would be real nice.
2. Shopping spree.
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| At the SM Megamall Sale back in 2010, with Jake Cuenca photobombing. |
Since I am also a full-time, work-from-home employee, I still get paychecks. Although it's not actually enough to sustain the lifestyle I've grown used to, I still manage to make it work. But sometimes, I just want to just splurge for myself. Like buy a new Macbook Pro or a hell lot of bags or maybe buy all the Ritz Sour Cream Crackers my money could buy. It's been a while since I actually got something for myself that I just want and don't really need.
3. Go out without guilt.
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| Downing tequila shots like nobody's business back in 2009. |
I used to be a heavy drinker before I had Brianna. I'm not proud of it but there were times when I didn't know how I actually got home because I was so drunk. Although I am not planning to get totally hammered
4. Go on spontaneous trips.
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| On a jeepney en route to Batangas. Ecstatic but real sleepy. |
I would love to go on a spontaneous trip again. Like, "Tara, Baler?", pack my bags, and leave within 30 minutes. Being a mom (single, work-from-home) entails careful planning when it comes to trips. You can't just withdraw a couple thousand Pesos from your bank without thinking of its repercussions in the future. Dropping everything - ballet classes, lolo's birthday party, what-have-yous - isn't that easy anymore now that I have someone in tow.
5. Sleep.
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| Taken in 2006, the time when I got enough sleep. |
I get to sleep, yes, but I haven't slept straight since 2011. I still live with my parents and Brianna and I share a bed. Everytime my daughter makes the smallest movements or sounds, my eyes would automatically open. I can't remember how complete sleep feels like. One night of uninterrupted sleep, that's all I ask.
How about you? If your fairy godmother were to grant you something selfish at this point in your life, what will it be?
Awwww.....you do deserve a break. I feel you! I want the same things you do -- especially sleep!
ReplyDeleteSleep talaga! :((
DeleteI feel you, mommy! I can't even take a shower without an audience. We'll get there someday and by then I'm sure we'll miss these days. Haha!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I bet. Pero right now talaga, even just an hour of alone time, okay na. Hahahaha!
DeleteI feel you, ganyan ako nung di pa nagschool anak ko pero nung nagschool na, at least I have few hours na pahinga sa alaga. :)
ReplyDeleteYes! School nga ang sagot! Hihi. :)
DeleteI know most moms will be able to relate esp. dun sa sleep factor and me-time. Although it's important to take care of our kids, it's equally important to spend time taking care of ourselves. For how can we take care of them if we get sick or if we become depressed?
ReplyDeleteGreat insight, Vance! :) Thank you for that.
DeleteI think you need to have a 'day-off" from being a mom. Half a day is enough. Go to the spa and have some pampering. Then have coffee and do some shopping. :)
ReplyDeleteRight? Sometimes, I prefer pa nga to go out alone than meet up with my friends - sorry, guys hee! - 'cause that's the only time I hear my thoughts.
DeleteI feel you!! I'm guessing we're the same age maybe? My 'single' days were like that too. So spontaneous and filled with adventures and alcohol. But honestly, when I get to go out and drink as much wine as I want (not too much anymore sadly!). I end up missing my kids and husband and feeling foolish for wanting to be my old young self. Pero every now and then, it doesn't hurt. Hindi ko na lang talaga kaya yung every week, girls night out! haha!
ReplyDeleteNo deal talaga sa weekly girls' night out. Haha! Pero super nakakaguilty once I'm on my second bottle...yes, I still drink occasionally. Hehe.
DeleteAgree on all 5. Especially sleep. I used to sleep my weekends off pero ngayon, ASA!
ReplyDeleteRight?! Haha!
DeleteI want all those 5 things too. I also almost never get time for myself but we have to at least try to sneak even just a few minutes to do the things we love to do. It also helps to think that time flies way too fast and this season in our life will pass, the kids will grow up and we'll be left to ourselves. :)
ReplyDeleteRight now, Friends and How I Met Your Mother's doing it for me but I guess I should really go out every once in a while. Hehe. Also, that's what I keep on telling my mom: Ngayon ko lang mananamnam ang presence ng anak ko. When she's older, magaasawa na siya, di ko na makakasama everyday...Huhuhu. I'm overthinking this, yeah? Haha!
DeleteAww, take a break mommy! I think you will naman considering it's holy week, but being a WAHM, too, I know it won't really feel like a "break." My breakthrough now is realizing I can leave naman pala my son at home and do my own thing occasionally. Sure, it's just once or twice a month, but it's okay na for me!
ReplyDeleteI really should, shouldn't I? Kahit once every 3 months man lang! Hehe.
DeleteI think I want sleep more than anything else. And probably some more time to be at home. I've been feeling really guilty about spending less time with our daughter though. I go out of the house early in the morning and when I arrive home after rendering overtime (happening almost everyday recently), she's already asleep. I rarely get to see the partner for long since he works nights - I'm at work when he gets off from work and we have about 30 minutes to talk and eat together before he leaves at night. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteOh, ang galing niyo. You can pull that off. Parang mababaliw ako pag ganyan. Hehe.
DeleteI feel pretty okay with sleep since my kids are heavy sleepers, though my son cries at midnight for milk but I'm used to it. haha I'm a single mom too, if money and time were in abundance and with no single guilt, I wish to travel with my girl friends without our kids.. as for materials, I really wanted to buy a business laptop and a new DSLR. aaaahhhh!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is a heavy sleeper, too. Pero super likot! I'm almost always on the verge of going over the edge. Haha!
DeleteSupermoms like us are human too. We need to recharge our batteries to cope up with daily home demands.
ReplyDeleteThat's true. :)
DeleteI so feel you momma! Being a mom is a challenge. We need to take care of our family but at what expense? Most of the time, we have to give up our wants and needs for our kids, especially sleep! Lol! But take it easy :) You deserve all of these :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mommy Ayi! :)
DeleteWe all deserve a break. Have a "ME" time, go to the nail salon and have a foot spa or a mani-pedi.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds great! A mani-pedi is in order! Hihi.
DeleteWe deserve this kind of me time mommy! :) Pero ako, kahit sa sarili ako, i can't find me time for myself yet. Can't squeeze my sched. hay!
ReplyDeleteDiba? The question, really, is how! Hehe.
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