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Sod off Saturdays

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On a Saturday, everyone can sod off. Saturday is my day. As a mother and a wife in full-time employment little else is my own. I share my bath, my pecan butter smothered rice cakes and my sanity. So call me selfish but I’ll be damned if I’m sharing my Saturdays too. Before my child was even conceived, based on the suggestion of a friend whose work, motherhood and marriage thrived throughout her two pregnancies, my husband and I decided that Saturday was going to be my day off, from all things parenting.

On Saturday I sleep in for as long as I

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like or run out of the house as early as I please. I meet friends for brunch or go for a walk by the beach with my dogs. I go shopping (for myself) or pack a picnic for the park with the girls. I can sit in the garden with a beer and a book, uninterrupted for the entire day. Maybe I’ll get a massage or maybe I’ll go on a dinner date with my husband. It would be up to him to organize a babysitter of course, because as I just said, Saturday is my day off.

Be warned, taking a day off your parental responsibility is not without aggravation. Whether

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you visit the local Starbucks, nail salon or even alcohol laden brunch joint, there is always someone looking you up and down in search of that unmissable stroller. “Where is the baby.” they chant almost in unison. I explain that Saturday is my day off and they do not need to worry as he has been left in the most capable of hands. Sometimes I get a congratulatory high five for my efforts to maintain some freedom and independence others I get shot looks of accusatory disgust. I’m comfortable with both.

So thank you to the mummy friend who made

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me understand the importance of balance, and trust. Balance so that I am not overwhelmed by all thing mummy and trust so that I am able to trust my husband to do the needful when it comes to caring for our baby. Having a supportive partner who you trust to take care of your child as well as you do yourself is not matter of luck. It took a lot for me to consciously make a decision to guide and encourage while I myself struggled to grasp my new role. Those guys are only as good as the faith we place in them. From the very first diaper change I realised
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the importance of involving my husband in everything baby. We packed the diaper bag together,changed nappies and sterilized the bottles. I made the effort to not exclude him, no easy feat when you yourself are trying to find your feet.

Albeit with trepidation from the very first day, we parented as one. Because I knew there was no one else I could trust my baby with more than the man who helped create him.

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- 16 Oct 16

On a Saturday, everyone can sod off. Saturday is my day. As a mother and a wife in full-time employment little else is my own. I share my bath, my pecan butter smothered rice cakes and my sanity. So call me selfish but I’ll be damned if I’m sharing my Saturdays too. Before my child was even conceived, based on the suggestion of a friend whose work, motherhood and marriage thrived throughout her two pregnancies, my husband and I decided that Saturday was going to be my day off, from all things parenting.

On Saturday I sleep in for as long as I like or run out of the house as early as I please. I meet friends for brunch or go for a walk by the beach with my dogs. I go shopping (for myself) or pack a picnic for the park with the girls. I can sit in the garden with a beer and a book, uninterrupted for the entire day. Maybe I’ll get a massage or maybe I’ll go on a dinner date with my husband. It would be up to him to organize a babysitter of course, because as I just said, Saturday is my day off.

Be warned, taking a day off your parental responsibility is not without aggravation. Whether you visit the local Starbucks, nail salon or even alcohol laden brunch joint, there is always someone looking you up and down in search of that unmissable stroller. “Where is the baby.” they chant almost in unison. I explain that Saturday is my day off and they do not need to worry as he has been left in the most capable of hands. Sometimes I get a congratulatory high five for my efforts to maintain some freedom and independence others I get shot looks of accusatory disgust. I’m comfortable with both.

So thank you to the mummy friend who made me understand the importance of balance, and trust. Balance so that I am not overwhelmed by all thing mummy and trust so that I am able to trust my husband to do the needful when it comes to caring for our baby. Having a supportive partner who you trust to take care of your child as well as you do yourself is not matter of luck. It took a lot for me to consciously make a decision to guide and encourage while I myself struggled to grasp my new role. Those guys are only as good as the faith we place in them. From the very first diaper change I realised the importance of involving my husband in everything baby. We packed the diaper bag together,changed nappies and sterilized the bottles. I made the effort to not exclude him, no easy feat when you yourself are trying to find your feet.

Albeit with trepidation from the very first day, we parented as one. Because I knew there was no one else I could trust my baby with more than the man who helped create him.

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Amel Osman is a journalist and self proclaimed Selfull Mama of one. She loves lying star shaped on sandy beaches with a hot dog in hand. When she is not busy adjusting her Facebook privacy settings to hide her posts from easily offended friends she can be found ranting on www.SelfullMama.com

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