Do you really need a break from your children?

Let me first start by saying that this post will ruffle a few feathers. Well, it’s my opinion and everyone is entitled to one.
I recently had a conversation with a woman who is about 20 years older than myself. Our conversation was about the importance of unity and structure in families. We talked about how powerful the dinner table can be. I can tell you this, never under estimate the power ofmeal times together as a family unit. It’s where you can stay connected.

At least once a week I see posts on social media about teen runaways, some children are not even teens yet. What has happened to our families? Why can’t parents and children communicate? I believe I have a reason.
No one has TIME!
It’s starts when children are young. The weekend comes and we ship them off to Grandma’s house, a neighbor, a friend or they stay with a babysitter. Is there anything wrong with that? Not at all as long as your child gets more of your time than the streets, the club and your friends. Let’s think about how much time a parent working a full time job from 9 to 5 can actually spend with their child during the week.
Typical day, child has to be at school by 8am and parent to work by 9am. Family up at 6:30am and out the door by 7:30am. That’s ONE HOUR! Child out of school by 3pm but parent not off until 5pm. Child gets picked up from after – school program or babysitter by 6pm. Back at home by 6:30pm and bedtime is set at 9pm. That’s THREE HOURS in the evening!! A TOTAL OF FOUR HOURS A DAY OUT OF TWENTY FOUR HOURS! You do it all over again Monday through Friday. Some children are even involved in extracurricular activities in the evening and do not get home until 7/8pm. Some parents have to work later than expected. There are different factors that take us away from home. However, I’m still confused as to how some parents still need a break every weekend.
In my opinion, your break from your children is when you clock in at work. On the flip side, if you were a stay at home parent, there is no clocking in and out. Your bathroom breaks and lunchtime don’t belong to you. When you go to work outside of the home, you are actually able to clock out. If you spend 9 hours at work each day and 4 a day with your child, how do you need a break from your child? Your child doesn’t need you to ship them off to someone else every weekend. They need quality time with you. They need conversation, guidance, structure and stability. When we get off work, the last thing our children need to hear is “whew, I need a break from these kids.” Maybe you need a break from your job or the people you associate with. Maybe your job and people are causing stress and therefore, you taking it out on your children. Maybe…it’s just a thought! How many times have you left work frustrated, mad or exhausted? I know I have. The last thing you want to hear is your child asking you one thousand questions or rambling on and on about who won playing tag at recess! That’s when it slips out, “I need a break from these kids.” Think about what just happened…
Reality is this, our children need to know and understand that we love them and want them around. If we’re in constant need of a break, we need to check other elements.
If we’re putting in 40+ hours a week at our job but only 20+ hours with our child….do we really need a break from our children?