When you step into the world of parenting, the thought of enjoying a night out often feels like a distant memory. The perception is that once you become a parent, your life revolves around your child, leaving no room for personal fun. Why would you even think about taking time for yourself? After all, you’ve received the ultimate blessing — a child to cherish and adore every second of the day.
Just kidding!
In fact, parenting can drive you to seek that refreshing drink more than ever, or maybe a jog, a cupcake, or even a quiet trip to a museum — anything that helps you reclaim a bit of adult time.
Enter Sarah Mitchell, a mom who believes parents, especially single ones, have no business going out, particularly if it involves drinking. Sarah, who has a four-year-old, claims she hasn’t enjoyed a night out in over two years. She might be in for a surprise when she realizes that there are no awards for moms who never step outside their homes or indulge in a drink.
“Everyone has their own perspective on parenting, but I really don’t think single parents deserve a break,” she shared with a local publication. “I’ve only gone out five times in the past four years, but I recognize that you need to be in a good state to care for your child.” While one could argue that being out just five times might leave her a bit unfit for the parenting job, it seems she’s on the edge.
She further argues that when her daughter is with her father, “it’s not my time off; it’s Leah’s time with her dad.” Sarah believes that when parents are nursing a hangover, it’s a self-inflicted situation leading to lackluster parenting, which she finds unacceptable.
Oh dear, it seems a wake-up call is in order! It’s perfectly okay to think about yourself sometimes. You really need that moment to prioritize your own needs.
Sarah also mentions that when she organizes picnics at the park and invites ten other moms, often only a couple will show up. However, when it comes to a Saturday night outing, everyone magically finds a babysitter and money to join in. She views this as a selfish mindset. Or perhaps, just maybe, they find her a bit too heavy on the judgment scale.
Moms, if you see any of your fellow sisters veering into this territory, it’s time to shake some sense into them. Our kids are wonderful, but they’re not the center of the universe. It’s crucial to have fun and maintain a life outside of motherhood. While I’m poking fun at these quotes, there’s a serious takeaway here: if you spend all your time at home with kids and don’t allow yourself some time away, you risk losing the ability to socialize with adults. This could lead to becoming a sanctimonious mom, which is best avoided.
Let’s band together to prevent our friends from turning into sanctimommies. We all deserve a little fun!
For more insights on home insemination, check out this article on our other blog.
Summary
The article humorously critiques the notion that mothers, especially single ones, shouldn’t take time for themselves, particularly when it comes to going out and enjoying a drink. It emphasizes the importance of self-care and socializing outside of parenthood, while also warning against becoming overly judgmental or sanctimonious.