Your kids don't need constant scheduled activities

When did we start feeling the need to constantly plan activities for our kids on weekends? Was it when more and more moms started working outside the home and the mom guilt made us feel like we weren't with our kids enough or was it when social media blew up and we started comparing and competing?

or was it when social media blew up and we started comparing and competing?

Last weekend we had no plans at all. The kids loved it. They coloured, made crafts, did puzzles, watched tv and made up dances. We cuddled on the couch, cooked together, had dance parties and had a movie night. It was perfect. I would be comfortable saying that the kids loved it just as much, if not more than having scheduled activities all weekend.

Do your kids enjoy being at home?

• 0%Yes
• 0%No
• 0%Sometimes

This isn't to say that you shouldn't plan fun things with your kids. You just don't have to go broke and exhausted doing so.

When I became a working mom, I realized I wasn't immune to mom guilt, as much as I thought I would be. I'm rational to a fault sometimes and I knew that working was what was best for our family. However, I started seeing other families plan fun weekends with their kids but I craved quite time at home with them. This created constant tension within me. I worked so hard throughout the week, both at my stressful job and at home and I never felt like I could relax. The weekends were my chance as a working mom to "do nothing" and I would feel so guilty.

As time went on, I could tell how much the kids also enjoyed being at home on weekends and I felt less guilty when I was too exhausted to plan outings every weekend.

Your kids need you. Weekly trips to malls, play places, pools etc. are not a necessity, especially if those activities negatively affect your mental health and/or your financial stability.

You are a good mom, even when you just need some rest. Don't get caught up in the constant "go go go" of today's world. It won't serve you and it certainly won't serve your kids.

You're a good mom, even when you just need some rest.