Alone

 If you are not a stay-at-home parent, then you probably don't understand feeling alone while simultaneously being used as a jungle gym. It's really nothing against our spouses, or the fact that we don't want to spend time with them, we just would like some kid free time. Time spent not discussing dinner menus for the next week, chores that need to be done or adding face wash to the grocery list. It is important to make time that is all about us or even a conversation that doesn't revolve around kids. Having the free time that doesn't include waiting for one of the kids to start crying or asking for a snack is really priceless.

Every couple of weeks or so I schedule the sitter to come over and find a local bar that might not be too crowded so my husband and I can play some pool and have a couple beers. Or I'm lucky enough to have a friend who comes over with her husband and they are willing to hang out and include my kids for a while, and then hang out when my kids go to bed. Some couples do the date night thing every week! That's awesome if you can make that happen, or even enjoying going out that much. Whatever works for you, make the time to do it. Make the kid free time for you.

But honestly, just being able to video chat with a girlfriend to see a loving and familiar face or chat on the phone for a minute while a friend is driving home from work makes all the difference in the world. I've heard from a lot of mothers, stay at home and working, that they lost the majority of their friends when they had kids. It's sad that some people we held close to our hearts for so long left us behind because our lifestyle changed. But the new friends we make, who might be moms as well, get the package deal of us and our kids and they love our kids too. They like spending time with just you and also time with your kids. Those are the ones we call family.

Make the time for the ones in your life that might feel alone. And be bold to introduce yourself to a new friend and maybe expand your family. Be unshaken in your importance.