I love Mondays.
I made the Monday discovery a long time ago. The kids went back to school after notoriously busy weekends filled with practices, projects, parties and away games.
Dave began his work week. And I had the house to myself.
I’d recuperate from the mayhem at an indulgent pace—things would get done, when they got done.
I had all day. It was my day, it was Monday, it was Momday.
I truly believe this attitude (with the cooperation of my family) kept me sane. I have always enjoyed every stage that my kids went through growing up, but that doesn’t mean some weren’t more demanding than others. Then there were the semesters after I went back to NIU where on top of the familial challenges, I was also in the midst of some messy studio art project or time-suck computer design.
But I had classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. So I still had my Momday.
I realize not everyone has the luxury of putting aside a whole day. It was much easier to allow myself this Momday when I was crazy-busy with all of life’s assignments. I could say, “No, I can’t go to that meeting,” or, “I can’t meet for lunch today,” or, “I will finish that assignment tomorrow,” because I knew I could make up those other things another day. I was organized enough to allow for this weekly sanity break. I had to be, I had a lot to do. But I think I got it done because of my Momdays.
My kids are grown and have moved out. I’m finished with school, although I still dabble in many a messy studio art project or time-suck computer design (and I’ve added writing to the mix!). My demands have changed.
Every day is Momday now.
And I’ll be honest; I get a lot less done.
When the kids were younger we’d periodically have a day with no plans. We called them “Free Days” and celebrated them by lying around in our pajamas reading books, watching movies, playing games or heading outside on nice days. When Jessica graduates in a year and a half I’ll head back to work, so no Momdays, but plenty of Momnights–won’t know what to do with myself!
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