The aftermath of a mother’s ‘day off’!

Mothers dream of having a day off where they can relax knowing that the children are cared for and the only person they have to think about is themselves – Oh blissful thought! Unfortunately for most of us, the person left in charge of the small beings doesn’t always realise that the role of mother involves more than just playing games with the children and watching movies. Normally the task is carried out alongside a never-ending round of housework, meals, phone calls, nappies and other domestic drudgery. The smell of a dirty nappy normally wafts up just when you’re on roll with getting lunch ready, and the phone always goes as an all out war breaks out between the siblings – again when you’re trying to make lunch! So, with all this in mind it is no wonder that the person in charge of the house for the day puts their feet up, ignores the housework (doesn’t even notice its there) and feeds the kids convenience foods from the freezer. 
All this would be manageable, if it wasn’t for the fact that the housework didn’t take a day off – the mother did, and any revitalization she may have gained from the ‘day off’ has to bid her well for two days worth of work facing her the next day.
So what can be done about this?, you may be saying as you fling your hands in the air in desperation. Yes, you do actually need to take a break from the house and the continual responsibility of small people, no one can live on no time off. These are my remedies so far:

1. Try to have the children looked after outside of the house so the mess cant be created there, encourage the other parent to take them out or get someone else to look after them – or a combination of the two.
2. Have the meal idea already planned so the kids will be fed something that is not going to make them diabolical the next day.
3. Get the housework mainly completed before you go out so you don’t have twice as much to do the next day – i.e if you put clean linen on the beds on the day you are going out then do that first – get the kids to pitch in and help get the task done quickly.
4. Get more household appliances to help do your work for you – if the other parent won’t do the work then get a gadget that will – i.e. use the clothes drier either before you go out or after you get back – just imagine you have paid someone to come in to do your work for you since you are having the day off 
5. Set very clear times for when you are leaving the house and coming back so there is no coming in late to take over or expecting you back earlier.
6. You deserve to have time off so demand it – what you are really convinced you need you will make sure will happen – plan the day well in advance and don’t take no for an answer – pay someone if need be – or at least have this as a backup plan and incentive for the other person to save some money by doing it themselves.
7. Make sure that the day will be fun and successful for the person looking after the children – have clothes set out for getting changed into, any medicine needs clearly written out, the menu planned, bed times, food times all clearly stated – there should be no guesswork needed.
8. Make sure the children have had a good night sleep the night before so they are angelic and a pleasure to look after – it is tempting to do the opposite as you don’t have to be the one looking after them, and it would be good for the other person to experience what you have to put up with – but this will not help your cause in the long-run 
9. Bribe the children and other parent with gifts for good behaviour for the day – special treat food is always good – this will also encourage more time off in the future.
10. Lastly, as the children age get them to help more and more with the housework on a daily basis so that when you do have a day off they are helping to hold the fort while you are gone – nothing like a toddler telling their father that, “Mummy doesn’t let us get all the toys out at once”, to help keep things in order 

Go on, take a break – you deserve it!!! 

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