by Rhetta Peoples

Created on: September 20, 2008

Remember when the only thing we had to worry about was the day-to-day duties of taking care of ourselves? As a mom, I have so many responsibilities that my concerns about myself have taken a back seat to getting my daughter ready for school, gassing up the car, taking the dog to the vet, cleaning the house, balancing the household budget and preparing dinner. And that's the short list. I deny myself "me time" because it seems so selfish! I feel guilty about taking time for myself that, I have refused to do it. It has been hard to break the mentality that my family has to be taken care of first, but with so much going on, I have realized that it's important that I take time for myself. So, lately I have forced myself to remember the standard flight attendant speech of putting the oxygen mask on me before I put it on my child. It may sound silly but the first time I heard that speech, it took me a second to digest that it was correct. It makes sense that we must take care of ourselves before we can take care of anyone else. That goes for a little mental time too. Realistically, there are only so many "play" tea parties I can attend before I lose it and after I've peeled my daughter Nile down off the ceiling for the 5th time, I'm about ready to have an outer body experience.

Last month, I allowed my family to have some quality time without me. Right before we took one of our regular trips to Cocoa Beach, I went first! I spent about 12 hours in the hotel ALONE before my husband and daughter joined me. I painted my nails, ate a big fat piece of chocolate cake and watched all the uninterrupted "Law and Order" I could take before the real drama started.

I know a lot of moms feel like wanting some "me time" is selfish. So, I asked a local psychiatrist to assure us that not only is it good for us busy moms, it's good for the whole family!

Dr. Ali Kashfi, a Maitland psychiatrist, said "It is important and crucial to take time away from your children for your mental health. It can improve the quality and care for children. Taking time away from the children can offer less frustration and anger, especially for single moms."

Back to school days are here again and now is the time for us to take advantage of a little "me time". Whether you spend a night at a hotel, runaway for a couple of hours to catch Angelina's new flick, or simply have a night out with the girls, make sure you take the time to relax and regroup.

So moms, here's our prescription: Take 2-48 hours of "me time" once a month or as needed. When I take that prescription, I have the much-needed energy to peel Nile down off the ceiling and I'm ready for round two of the most fabulous "play" tea parties ever.

Learn more about this author, Rhetta Peoples.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.