It's Okay...To Need Time Away

I've learned a lot in my nearly 7 years of parenting. Mostly, that I know nothing and which chocolate pairs with which wine. 

One of my biggest, and latest, realizations is that it's okay to need time away from your kids. 

I've written before about my decision to stop homeschooling.

In the beginning, I couldn't understand how parents could send their kid to school. I read blogs about homeschooling and how "children are meant to be at home with their parents" like it was a religious experience. 

As my children got older, I wanted them away from me. I spend hours wondering what I was doing wrong. What was wrong with me that I didn't want to spend the whole day with my children? 

I finally figured it out! 

Nothing. 

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH NEEDING TIME AWAY FROM YOUR CHILDREN. 

Please read that as many times as you need. 

What is one of the main pieces of advice people are given when entering a relationship/marriage? "Keep your own interests. You don't need to spend 24/7 together." My husband and I love each other very much...but sometimes he hangs out with his friends or I see a movie by myself or he'll play video games while I sit upstairs and watch stupid TV shows. 

So why did I think it was different with my children? 

​Some parents can spend hours upon hours with their children. If that's you, there's nothing wrong with you either!!

It's the comparison game. It kills parenting joy. 

I'm counting down until my youngest heads to school too...and that's okay.