A few days ago, a friend’s husband posted a picture of her on Facebook – a mother with 3 children under the age of 4, 7 months pregnant - alone and uninterrupted - hiding in the kitchen, sitting on the floor, eating a snack.
His full post stated, "Sometimes when you’re 7 months pregnant and need a 3 minute break from 3 terrors 4yrs old and younger...you get to sit behind the island and eat some puppy chow uninterrupted...I must say, it’s well deserved."
When I read his post, it felt as if I was sitting there next to her. I laughed and I cried at same time because in that post I saw me, and a daily dose of what I need as a mother – three minutes.
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Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my children.
I love their good morning sleepy faced snuggles and slobbery kisses.
I love picking up the food they’ve thrown and the spill-proof sippy cup puddles all over the floor.
I love their hand prints on the walls and toothpaste splashes on the mirror.
I love listening to the screaming noises, the temper tantrums, and the not-being-able to share moments – it’s seriously music to my ears.
I love wiping up their snotty noses, spaghetti faces, and self-drawn marker tattoos all over their arms.
I love answering the question “why?” ten thousand times and saying no a million times more.
I love their constant need for me, attention from me, and being asked to look at their every move.
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But do you know what else I love?
I love those three minutes. Those very important, much needed, mindless three minutes.
Three minutes.
Three minutes to myself. Alone and uninterrupted.
Three minutes to myself. To not be touched. By the kids. By my husband. Or by the dog.
Three minutes to myself. To eat my favorite snack. And actually finish it. Without being rushed.
Without sharing.
Three minutes to myself. To take a quick shower. To scroll social media. To sit in the peace and
quiet of my closet floor and literally do nothing.
Three minutes to myself. To take a break and breathe. To think. To pray.
I love those three minutes. Those very important, much needed, mindless three minutes.
Three minutes.
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Because those three minutes get me through the day. They make me a better mom. They make me refresh, regroup, and regain the strength to continue...
To continue being a great mom. To continue being a loving mom. To continue being a fun mom.
To continue being a patient mom. To continue enjoying all those wonderfully beautiful things mentioned above.
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And just like that -- with tiny fingers peeking under the door and a little voice saying, “mommy I found you!” -- my timer went off. My three minutes are up.
Those very important, much needed, mindless three minutes are over.
And I smile as I unlock the door because I’m ready for those cute spaghetti faces, tattooed armed hugs, and slobbery kisses again.
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And her husband couldn’t have said it better… “I must say, it’s well deserved.”
