Parent's time

[singlemommy]

How often should a parent take time for themselves away from their child. I work full time and spend the evenings and weekends with my daughter, but I really enjoy my time away also. I usually get one night a week on the weekend (from about 5pm-7am before she wakes up). I am a single parent so I can't have my husband watch my daughter for time alone, my parents do the watching. Am I away from my daughter too much, will she feel as if I'm not there for her? Thanks.

[hol5]

there is no such thing as my time. i do not currently work, but financially am looking to go back. My husband works full time and comes home to join in the daily chaos, but i do all the housework, cleaning, cooking, homework, general life stuff and have NO ONE to help on the babysitting side. The only rest i get is when they are in bed, i long for the day someone will think twice about my life and offer to take over for an hour or two. At this stage the idea of working sounds beautiful, however saying all that, I love my children to bits and feel lost when they are in bed!!

ideally parents and children should have some separation if only to avoid problems in the future such as when the child goes to school to make the transiton easier, however in a lot of cases such as mine, when there is no-one around you just have to get on with it.

You are lucky to have help, and loving grandparents is the next best thing, don't beat yourself up about having time away, just appreciate every minute you have with her, thats what she needs. if you can give 100% quality time whilst you are around her then you don't need to be defensive about being away.

[tiggeralix]

enjoy the time you do get away because as they get older they become more demanding. as a single parent i have had 2 nights off in the 16 months of being one.

[Curryfarty]

When my ex (father of my oldest two) and i split up, he had them every Fri and every other Sat night. It was great to go out and enjoy still being young. I agree with hol5; make the time you are with your daughter a great time for her. As long as she knows how much you love her, it will not affect her at all and lets face it, one night bonding with her Grandparents is good for her too. You need to get out and hopefully meet someone as wonderful as i have. Met on a night out and have been together six years. He adores my kids and we have a two year old daughter too. If you don't get out you will always be a single parent.

[mycats]

I dont work but my granny takes my son every second weekend. So thats only 2 nights out of every 14. You are not away from your daughter too much! You love your daughter obviously and you are there for her, but you are still a grown up. You need some time to yourself or you will go mad, no matter how much you love her. Try not to worry to much, you will be better for your daughter if you are able to relax sometimes x

[trogette]

It's really a question only you can answer. If you want to make more time to be with your daughter could you cut back on your work hours? Have your night off on alternate weekends? Commitment-free time is great, how much you need is an individual thing.