I Am Getting Some Free Time Back!

Last year's first day of school. Can't wait to get this year's picture since all of the kids are going!

Today Ethan is starting his first day of kindergarten. Next week, the girls are starting preschool a couple of days a week. To say that I am excited to get a two whole hours alone twice a week would be a huge understatement. I may or may not skip out of the schools after I drop them off. And the best part: I get free time back.

Free time to do whatever I want. I could do things like grocery shopping, cleaning, or laundry. I could mop floors, pull weeds, or clean windows. I could use the time to check emails, catch up on writing and blogging, or pin things on Pinterest.

This could be me!

I could do all of those things. But I also could use the time to workout (uninterrupted), read, maybe shop, watch the TV shows I never get to watch fully because I pause every 5 minutes because the kids need something. Maybe I could get a manicure, take a yoga class, have lunch with a friend, have an uninterrupted conversation with my husband on the days he’s off, try a new recipe, or maybe try to actually do one of those things I’ve pinned on Pinterest.

The possibilities are endless! I’d like to think that I am going to do all of that fun stuff I mentioned instead of doing all of the necessary stuff (like cleaning), and chances are occasionally I will. But the reality is that most of those four hours will be spent doing the necessary stuff. I already know it, even though it’s fun to daydream about the other things.

I already have a list going of things I really need to get done. We recently had some work done to our house so there’s painting that needs to get done. I need to update our budget. I need to go through the stacks and stacks of “important” papers that have been sitting on our desk for months. I need to make a dentist appointment and go in for an annual check up with my doctor.

But I also know “me” time is important too. That I should take some of that new-found free time to do something just for me. That I deserve it. Maybe sometimes just knowing it’s available is enough for me. I know that if I actually used all of that time for just me, I’d end up feeling guilty. Mom guilt.

So chances are, you’ll find me cleaning and doing laundry. But it will be in the peace and quiet and I can multi-task and watch TV while I’m doing it. You’ll find me at the grocery store, but I’ll be sipping a Starbucks and will indulge in a treat just for me.

What do you do – or what would you do – with newly found time away from the kids?

photo source: flickr