“Sometimes I feel like I need a break,
BUT I’m not talking about a break from my kids.
Or a girl’s vacation away.
I’m talking about a break from being so hard on myself and society being so hard on me.
A break from cringing over my appearance—greasy hair, blemishes, and wrinkles—after wasting too much time in the mirror.
A break from being told that my pizza order for dinner wasn’t good enough for my kids because it wasn’t made with organic ingredients, and I didn’t hide vegetables in it.
A break from hating the body that’s working hard all the time for my family and pushing myself to the brink because nobody else would do it.
A break from being told breast is best, how to sleep, which childcare setting is best, and worrying about every little choice I make.
A break from the loud noises of everyone else’s opinions and judgment.
A break from perfectionism and expecting to be the perfect wife, mom, and worker.
A break from the cycle of thinking I’m always doing something wrong and am not enough.
Because my kids don’t need perfection.
They need laughing, playful, happy, me.
They need me, who runs after them in a game of chase and tickles them when they’re caught.
They need me, who plays make-believe and smiles so big instead of worrying about WHAT I SHOULD BE DOING.
Because when it comes down to it,
I don’t need a break from my kids,
I need an opportunity to enjoy what’s in front of me.”
This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Danielle Sherman-Lazar of New Jersey. You can follow her journey on Facebook and on her blog. Submit your own story here, and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories.
Read more from Danielle here:
Why I’m Saying No To Visitors After The Birth Of My Next Child
I’m A Mother Who Calls Her Mom Every Day
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