"I wouldn't have to answer to anyone or for anything. Not requests for snacks or one more backrub. I wouldn't have to sit rigid, wondering if one of my three kids was creeping out of a bed that wasn't theirs. Or defend my parenting style while my oldest yelled about how life wasn't fair and we must all really hate him,"
"I'd hit a breaking point that most parents, especially moms, are all too familiar with. But the moment I toyed with the idea of staying back - in a quiet, clean, empty house - that was it. It was all I could think about. I broached the topic, gently, with my husband, who couldn't have been more supportive and emphatic."
A parent chose to remain at home while the husband and children visited family, intentionally spending the holidays alone. The solitude delivered rest, quiet, and unexpected perspective, offering relief from constant parenting demands and social obligations. The choice emerged from a breaking point common to many parents, particularly mothers. The partner supported the decision, and the children reacted with relative calm, one child asking for frequent calls. The parent valued autonomy, freedom from answering requests, and the ability to reset mentally. The intentional solo time restored clarity and energy, enabling a refreshed return to family life.
Read at Business Insider
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