Yans and I took a Mental Health Day today.
It was just one of those mornings.
We normally go out to coffee on Thursday mornings (used to be Fridays) to study spelling words and Bible verses, but Courtney needed to be to school early so there wasn't enough time. So instead, I got everyone up early and fed them smoothies, with the intention of stopping by the coffee shop drive-through to grab a couple of muffins on our way to school.
But of course, no one could get ready on time and that meant I got to listen to the complaints of children that were quite sure they were going to perish on account of being sent to school with nothing but smoothies in their stomachs.
Add to that the fact that no one had even bothered to study their Bible verses or spelling words because apparently, they cannot prepare for those things unless their mommy specifically drives them to a coffee shop to do so.
And of course, there was bickering.
Always bickering.
So as I was dropping off the big kids, I told everyone that our Thursday morning coffee dates were temporarily being discontinued and that when they could show me they were responsible enough to study their spelling words and Bible verses on their own each week prior to Thursday morning, that I would consider reinstating their coffee shop priviledges.
And then Annie and I sat out in the parking lot in silence for awhile (It was too early to leave her at school.) before she took off her shoes and crawled up into the front seat of the car and onto my lap. (We spend a lot of time waiting in the parking lot of the school for the big kids and more frequently than not, we spend it with her on my lap - sounds silly, but it kind of refuels me and makes me wish the other three were little enough to do the same.)
And that's where the idea hatched.
For the two of us to just go back home and to lay in bed all day together, watching The Biggest Loser.
A Mental Health Day if you will.
And I realize that letting your kid play hookie from school probably isn't the most responsible thing in the world to do as a parent, but since we've never done it before (and I already informed her that she can only have one Mental Health Day per school year and only if her grades are good) I just made a judgment call and decided to go for it.
And all Mental Health Day long, I was glad I did.
i'm a teacher. my son and i took a mental health day this week too. we take one once a semester. it's good stuff.
Posted by: doris sander | January 16, 2014 at 05:16 PM
Hoo boy, that sounds delicious! I want one! :)
Problem is, I work where I live, so staying home doesn't really mean a day off (snow days either - rats!). The plus is that I never have to put a coat on to commute to my office. :)
Posted by: SMG | January 16, 2014 at 05:26 PM
Wonderful idea!!!!
Posted by: Robyn :) | January 16, 2014 at 05:37 PM
Good for you!! I did this before Christmas with my oldest as both of us were worn out and life was just getting a bit too much. I think everyone needs a day a year to snuggle with their little ones before they get too big ;)
Posted by: Julie Pilch | January 16, 2014 at 11:22 PM
I needed one of those today well in fact I need a whole week of them. This is week 7 of 8 weeks holiday and I've over the bickering also and need a break from it too. Regards Kathy A
Posted by: Kathy | January 17, 2014 at 03:55 AM
My Dad used to let us do that all the time as long as our grades weren't affected. I bet she cherished the memories you made and her special time with just YOU.
There's nothing irresponsible about being there and available for your children. :)
Posted by: Lisa | January 17, 2014 at 04:28 AM
Sounds like a great idea!
Posted by: Kelli Williams | January 17, 2014 at 04:42 AM
I have distinct memories of my mom letting me stay home for a mental health day every once in a while.
Posted by: Rebecca | January 17, 2014 at 05:49 AM
I started this when my oldest started school [he's now 21] and have continued the tradition with my daughter [she's 9]. They get one day off for their birthday. It can be used anytime though. I like the idea of taking a day off each semester better : )
Posted by: kribss | January 17, 2014 at 06:17 AM
Yay for mental health days!!!!!
Posted by: Janet Knox | January 17, 2014 at 07:37 AM
You brought back a very important memory for me today. Thank you for that. You did a good thing. We have done this for our girls periodically too. We all need a little emotional regrouping sometimes.
Posted by: Jen@thecottagenest | January 17, 2014 at 07:48 AM
Around here we call those snow days. :-)
Posted by: Linda | January 17, 2014 at 08:55 AM
Love this!!!!
Posted by: Kim H. | January 17, 2014 at 10:03 AM
My mom always gave us one mental health day a year. Everyone needs them, really! I think it makes you an even more amazing mom!
Posted by: Sandy | January 17, 2014 at 10:41 AM
Good for you!! I have done that with the kids (more while in elem. school.. easier to catch up than in high school). Though, a couple of Fridays ago, my sophomore was totally cool with missing her art class, which was the last class of the day, and my 1st grader had care groups (which we don't allow him to partake in as it goes against our beliefs) and I pick him up early, I took him out even earlier at the time she would be going into art, and we had an afternoon out together. It was nice. That won't happen again this school year for the girl. Her class load this next semester is to heavy. I love the extra time with my kids. And the last time, my girl was ok with this was in elem. school.
Posted by: Michelle | January 17, 2014 at 11:38 AM
I think that's an awesome idea!! Good for you ( and Annie ).
Posted by: Tracy | January 17, 2014 at 04:45 PM
Perfect!!! That was my mom's birthday! I think everyone should take a Mental Health Day and snuggle on 1-16. I feel one of these days coming on.... my little 6 yr needs some mommy time. One little one year old monopolizes me.
Posted by: Jennifer S | January 18, 2014 at 08:09 PM
Yay for Mental Health days...I've always let my kids take them too! They didn't want them so much once they hit high school...sometimes I would beg them to take one with me! :)
Posted by: Anita Guthrie | January 18, 2014 at 08:15 PM
A super great idea! And totally off the subject.. what is the paint color in your bedroom? I am painting my whole downstairs and last night had a little panic attack because your words from Making the Shot Two came back about painting your whole house white... and I am painting my whole house...COLORS! And I thought to myself.. how in the world will I ever get great white balance and tack sharp focus with all these colors in my house...but then I realize that color makes me happy, so I have to go with that. And it has been 12 years since we painted and I am so sick of yellow! But then I see the beautiful color in your bedroom, which looks like the color I was planning on using and just wanted to see what you used... Sorry, way to many words for just a question, but I wanted you to know that I was thinking about you and remembering the fun times at the Hometown Workshop!
Posted by: Maria Glazener | January 19, 2014 at 08:35 AM
Remember the Cheerios story on Oprah? Mum had cancer, took the kids to Disneyworld, did lots of wow things with them so they would remember her....what did those kids remember? They remember the time they couldn't sleep and they shared a bowl of cheerios with their Mum at 11.00 at night.
Simple moments make the warmest memories - I'm all for playing hookey! :)
Posted by: Fran Agostinis | January 20, 2014 at 12:15 AM