I Need ‘Me Time’. So I Leave My Kid Behind?

The concept of Me time has perpetuated thwarted priorities for some. ~Dr. Shelly Cameron

True Story

A colleague of mine has a young-adult daughter who has a child. Mid-weekly she leaves the child overnight at the sitter. It drives mom crazy when she realizes what has become the norm to leave her 2-year-old son overnight at the daycare to spend time with a ‘new guy’. One day mom asked her daughter; “where is the baby? Why did you leave him?” Her daughter replied “I need me-time”. In disbelief mom quickly retorted, “so you leave your child behind”?

Self-Care

As I reflect on this situation I realize the changes in society. Personally, I am a supporter of self-care initiatives and often encourage it. Self-care is an opportunity to reduce stress or restore energy… basically taking time out to recoup, so you can be of use to others. But isn’t self-care equally important to the well-being of our child(ren)? It is believed that some young parents are getting this twisted. Depending on the situation they hold different views. If it is to get childcare tax credits, then the kids are embraced. If it is to go partying or such, then the child(ren) are seen as a distraction from ‘joy’ in their life.

Exceptions

Let’s hasten to say that this does not happen in all situations. There are some cases such as those when parent(s) have to travel for work and have little or no support. In those situations leaving a child behind is certainly understandable. However, in the cases where it is to have a good time on the town in the middle of the week, then the child is seen as a bother. Could it be that such parents have things twisted? For most of us, we have peace when we know that our kids are safe in our homes under our care.

Does this resonate? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

Author: Dr. Shelly

Dr. Shelly Cameron is a leadership strategist, author, and executive coach dedicated to helping individuals uncover their purpose, elevate their leadership potential, and achieve meaningful success. She is the creator of the GreenLight Leadership Framework. As the curator of SuccessfulLeaders.net, Dr. Shelly shares insights drawn from her extensive experience in organizational development, human resources, and personal growth. She is passionate about empowering professionals to navigate change, manage stress, and design fulfilling lives through intentional goal setting, self-discovery, and continuous learning. Dr. Shelly's research on Success Strategies was published in the JAABC Business Journal. She is also the author of several books, including works on leadership, success, and cultural intelligence. View all posts by Dr. Shelly