Time For Long Service Leave

So, a decade of being responsible full time for tiny dependent beings is over. Ten years. If I worked for a company, I’d be up for long service leave. But seeing as no one is offering me 10 weeks paid leave, I’m going to take a few liberties with my life. Just a few.

I have two days where I have to go to work. And some freelancing I need to do. But surely around that, with 5 full days child free, I can also take a moment here and there to do some stuff for myself?

Yes, I know the 6 hours between 9 and 3 are on a different space/time continuum and go faster. Even so…

Here is what I hope my LSL entails:

1. Attendance at yoga/kayak yoga** or any type of relaxation stretchy style session at least once a week. Twice even.

2. Time to lunch occasionally with friends. Not all afternoon, and nowhere outrageously flash. Just a meet and chat for a sushi train, or a salad. Maybe (if it’s someone’s bday, a glass of champs).

No champs in February due to Febfast. Heavy sigh. I know I should be full of natural endorphins and be feeling totally euphoric at the thought of having reared three children (with just 4 years and 2 days between first and third dammit) to school age without losing one or losing my mind.

And surely this natural high means I don’t need champagne? It’s just there’s this niggling sense of redundancy that keeps creeping in.

Oops, got off track.

3. Shop for groceries without having to take someone who’s constantly and simultaneously cold, hungry and busting.

4. Permission to maybe, just sometimes, write creatively for myself. A book? A short story? A kids book? Who knows.

5. A course! I could learn something new! On writing? Would I contemplate any other? Interior design? No, I have most excellent friends for that. Meditation? Hmm. Not sure I have the concentration. Instead, there’s creative writing, feature writing, writing for kids etc etc.

6. Manage a renovation. Well, there’s always that elephant in the room isn’t there?

Note to self: be positive, so many opportunities lie ahead.

And I’m so proud of all three of my kids. Because they are lovely (in their own ways). I know I haven’t wasted the last ten years. I haven’t enjoyed every minute of them, but they are of course, the most important ones of my life. I don’t think my husband and I will spend another decade of our lives with so much to show for it as this one. Three healthy amazing humans!

Right, off to book a course and buy a kayak. Must have the right equipment now.

** Kayak yoga: An ingenious invention where you get into kayaks, paddle off somewhere around the amazing harbour and land on a beach. Do yoga for 40 minutes and paddle home again. Total winner!

93 Comments

- - pakeko said
  - 07 Oct 2014
    9:02 pm
Sounds like a great plan now if only to put into placce

- - kazh said
  - 29 Aug 2014
    10:02 pm
Ah, nice dream. I would probably just catch up on ten years of sleep

- - josa12 said
  - 17 Jul 2014
    12:02 am
That would be Awesome!!!! I can’t wait 🙂

- - june11 said
  - 14 Jul 2014
    1:16 pm
If we work full-time we get 13 weeks in SA. If I took 13 weeks in one go I wouldn’t want to go back to work.
The joys of parenthood. There is always something needs doing. Somehow you have to manage to look after yourself so you can care for them. It can be so difficult if the older child teaches the younger one bad habits, especially if there is about 5 years between them anf the older one should know better. They often learn bad habits from other children at Kindy and School. One of our phrases is “Just because…….does/says it doesn’t mean it is nice or the right thing to do” if the child says”…….does it”.after we have explained why it is wrong and not please don’t do “or say (whichever is appropriate). I was shocked a few months ago when I saw a teacher trying to cheer up a 6 or 7 year old and poked her tongue out. I was very tempted to say something but didn’t because I didn’t want it taken out on my child.

- - twinmum2 said
  - 31 May 2014
    5:03 pm
LSL sounds like a brilliant idea. Love it!

- - no1ladydj said
  - 30 May 2014
    11:18 pm
Very entertaining article, and I don’t think there’s too many Mums who wouldn’t be able to identify with what you’ve said. Taking a bit of “me” time is so important, for your health and sanity.

- - catgrrl3 said
  - 27 May 2014
    4:54 pm
love the kayak yoga, that would be fun and great exercise
- ginoula5 replied
  
  24 Aug 2014 , 7:17 pm
  Looking at trying that myself, good work out.
- - christial said
  - 18 May 2014
    8:29 pm
It’s still going to be a while before my lo is old enough for school!

- - mle00 said
  - 31 Mar 2014
    6:23 pm
Ha what is that? great for some! a dream for others!

- - jenny9761 said
  - 16 Mar 2014
    1:54 pm
Thanks for this great read

- - jadeeeee said
  - 14 Mar 2014
    2:05 pm
great read – thanks for sharing

- - solere04 said
  - 21 Feb 2014
    12:08 pm
i’m coming up to 8 years SAHM! Still a few more to go with 4 little ones! Cant wait for LSL!

- - angel_mon said
  - 20 Feb 2014
    11:10 pm
Oh I do love this article being a stay at home mum for the last few years!!! hardest job

- - mle00 said
  - 19 Feb 2014
    4:04 pm
I have never had a day off in ten years..nearly 11 and before kids I was running my own cafe..with large bossy customers so fair trade. I will admit though I feel guilty if i even think about running away and having fun without my kids, being with them is reward enough!

- - vikram77 said
  - 31 Jan 2014
    7:50 pm
Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed it.

- - yyon4699 said
  - 31 Jan 2014
    2:08 pm
great article. thank you for sharing

- - ljsalomon said
  - 03 Jan 2014
    11:08 pm
I like the thought of kayak yoga.

- - yyon4699 said
  - 03 Jan 2014
    1:05 pm
Lots of money to save before this

- - neenee said
  - 26 Dec 2013
    8:04 am
Sometimes a change in pace revives us.

- - meimei said
  - 23 Dec 2013
    12:42 pm
Such a interesting article to read 🙂