Have you ever needed a break from your toddler?

Question

I was alone with the kids all day and night for 3 days and I needed 20 minutes to myself to unwind. So while the baby was napping, I told my toddler (2.5 years old) to play in his room while I took a shower. I turned his tv on, and he has books and toys, and it's completely babyproofed. I closed the door and sat on the counch and drank a pop and made a phone call and regrouped.

Is that a bad thing to do? Have you ever done it?

I feel pretty guilty about it.

Answer 1

oh please, kids are harder than a 40hr a week job. you need breaks osmetimes. put it this way, some mothers who dont take breaks probably need to and may blow up at their child. my daughter has just entered the toddler years and omg...I definitely need to sit her in her room with some toys sometimes and sit on the couch with a coffee or something and take a few minutes to myself.

Answer 2

There's nothing wrong with that. 20 mins isn't a long period of time.

Young children can be physically and emotionally draining. Sometimes you need to take little "sanity breaks". It calms you so you can go back to your child less stressed. It's actually beneficial to the child to have you more relaxed and calm. When the parent or caregiver is stressed or out of sorts, the child picks up on this and sometimes responds by becoming fussy or clingy, or sometimes they can act out a little. On the same note, when you're happy and relaxed they pick up on this as well!

Answer 3

I need a break every frickin' day.

My daughter will be 2 on Sunday and she's the spawn of Satan.

I work from home so I NEVER get time away from her except when she naps.... which isn't long enough.

One day at a time, is what I tell myself.

Answer 4

I have a 2 year old daughter and a 7 year old son and everyday when my husband comes home from work I need a break so I try to take a walk by myself.  Now that summer is here and my son is now home from school I can't imagine the breaks that I'm going to need!

Answer 5

I understand sooo much. I'm a stay at home mom of a 3 and 4 year old. My husband works and is gone for about 5 of the 7 days out of the week.  I highly suggest looking at gettinga  babysitter for atleast 1 day out of the week. Even if it is to go grocrey shopping by yourself or to just go home and sit and veg out. I've done it. Felt guilty....beyond guilty. but  noticed a tremendous difference in myself, and the children. It's normal and i think anyone would suggest you do the same.

Answer 6

Oh my no do not feel guilty at all.  Besides there is nothing wrong with a 2 and a half year old playing in there own room.  I am a stay at home mom of a 4 and a half year old and a 3 and a half year old and 35 weeks 5 days pregnant.  Let me tell you i love my kids but wow by the end of the day i am exhausted.  So when i need to get things done around my house i include the kids as much as possible.  My oldest daughter loves helping mommy.  She is my little mother hen.  And my boyfriend works comes home and watches tv.  I am working on getting him to help me more.  Anyways i agree with everyone else because right after super in my house my kids go to there rooms for quiet time.  They clean there rooms and look at books.  Then i usually go up there and read to them and they go to bed.  Then of course i go to bed.  I myself am way behind in chores.  Being almost due and taking care of two pre schoolers is my life.  But man is it tiring...  :D

Answer 7

Dont feel like that.  you do need a break.  when my kids are sleeping (2 nearly three and 8 mtns old) i try and sleep. i dont clean up the house or do chores i rested.  you need it. dont feel guilty as you will appreciated it.

i tell my husband i havnt had a good nite sleep since my baby was born

Answer 8

no don,t be.you need a time of to.

Answer 9

i have two , ones 3 and ones 1 and i need a break at least once a week thats why i go to work, my job is my break, its my time away from the girls.

Answer 10

By all means you should NOT feel guilty about getting some you time.  I have done that a few times with my daughter when I felt I was getting burned out.  Said Mommy needs to potty, I put Barney on, gave her some crayons and coloring book, and lied on my bed for few quiet moments in the dark.  If you don't get some decent you time, you'll go crazy (more than you probably already are)...also you can get run-down easily and make yourself sick...then you're really no good to your family and this will stress you out more.  So don't feel guilty, I even read in a few parenting magazines that most parents use these tricks for the exact same reasons.  Best wishes and always remember to take care of yourself as well as the kids!

Answer 11

You deserve a break and i know what you mean, but i would`nt of shut the door on him for any amount of time. It only takes a moment for something dreadfull to happen. Some close chum can watch him for half an hour.

Five years ago I got a call at work at 8.30pm from a neighbour telling me to come home because she`d gone to bingo! My little Bratfink is with me and he`s the best thing that happened to me. I know you need some time to chill but read the papers and see what happens.

I dont want to sound like an old crone at 46 but you did ask, and thats why we`re here to try and help or at least give an honest opinion or advice. No body is here to judge you, least of all a single dad like me. Hope i caused you no offence

Answer 12

Nothing to feel guilty about dear.  I'm a pretty young grandmother of a 7 mo old and I give my son and daughter in law a break whenever they need one.  All moms need to have some time to themselves.  If you have a friend with kids, see if you can take turns a couple hours a week to watch each others kids so you both have a little time.  Go shopping, watch a movie, whatever.  You have to have time to recharge your batteries or you'll go nuts.  It will help with your patience level too.  Kids are a lot of work.

Answer 13

yes, everyone needs a break sometimes, only if its 10 minutes. Sometimes the constant business of a child can be stressful to a parent. Maybe once a week or every week you can arrange for a baby sitter so you can have self time to relax or do adult activites

Answer 14

Shame on you!!!  Just kidding!  I work out every day for two hours because that is how long my preschoolers are allowed to stay at the childcare center at the YMCA.  I love having time for myself during which I can watch grown-up shows etc.  I say as long as no one was injured (by injured I mean no blood or large bruises) you are good to go.  It is good for children to learn to entertain themselves.