When I first started this blog about a year ago, I went through a list of about 15 names. I wanted it to be just right – to make it clear that my blog is mostly about homeschooling, but also a little tongue-in-cheek about the reality of life with kids. So when my brother finally suggested Mama Needs Recess while we were brainstorming one night, I knew it was perfect.
Yesterday, my 10-year old opened my eyes to a whole new meaning of the phrase. Let me explain.
Since we’ve been back from our road trip, I’ve been busy getting our life back in order. My days have been consumed with laundry, errands, cleaning, cooking, sifting through mountains of mail…My kids have been enjoying the unstructured free time to read, play, and watch TV. Bliss for all of us. I had taken a break from my regularly scheduled routine to take the kids swimming. While the kids swam, I sat in a chair on the side of the pool, watching them but also making a mental to-do list of what I still needed to do before day’s end.
In the midst of my mental planning, my son swam over to where I was sitting and asked me to play catch with him. Because his invitation interrupted my train of thought about dinners for the week, I automatically declined. “Come on,” he prodded. “Mama needs recess!” I burst out laughing and asked him what he meant. “Isn’t your website about playing? You need recess, right?” BOOM.
Just like that, he opened my eyes to a whole new meaning for Mama Needs Recess that I didn’t even consider.
I once read somewhere that when your kids ask you to play a game, you should always stop what you’re doing, put it down, and join in the fun. Admittedly, I haven’t been great about this (see example above). But it’s time to get better.
Amidst the chaos of everyday life, it’s important to take time to play, both with my kids and without. To enjoy the moment. Not to get bogged down in the to-do lists, the appointments, the dinners, the laundry, the worrying about friends, family, money, or health issues. But to lift our head up every once in a while. Look around. Smell the roses. Feel the breeze. Play catch. After all, mama needs recess, right?