MARY LAMPHERE AUTHOR

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.