Is it wrong to want a break

[SilverTiger]

Is it weird to want a break from your children occasionally? other parents I speak to seem to think it is. It’s “oh but you will miss them” why is that a bad thing? surely it’s good to miss your children sometimes then you can appreciate the time together more? I would love nothing more than occasional weekends to myself to get a lie in, rest, get actual sleep, watch a film in peace, just rest and recharge. Not just “mum” every day, cooking and cleaning and taking care of kids. Is wanting the occasional break wrong?

As the saying goes - you can't pour from an empty cup. It's absolutely not weird to want a break from your children so plan something nice for yourself

Of course it's normal to want a little break - it's exhausting looking after small children and you often feel like your needs come last! If you can organise someone else to look after them for a weekend, you definitely should!

Are you the sole parent? If not, does the other parent get a break? If they do, then it must be OK, right?

yes i’m a lone parent, my ex has had a 8 year break, unfortunately i don’t get any but any time i’ve mentioned about wanting a break it’s met with “omg i can’t believe you would want a break” comments

I love a break from.my kids. I don't miss them but I look forward to seeing them again. As someone said above, you can't pour from an empty cup!

It's completely normal, even more so in your circumstances, honestly ignore people who apparently don't need a break from their children, maybe they have easier children, different tolerances or more smaller breaks due to after school clubs or hobbies etc.
Is there any way you can make a break happen? Perhaps not straight away but think medium to long term also, like scouts or cubs ( not sure, mine never went ) but I know they go on camping trips for a week or so, 8 is about the right age I think to start something like that.

Why would it be wrong? I went away by myself for a few days during half term, then DH and DS joined me — the alone part was blissful. And lots of friends have children away at boarding school, or divide their are 50/50, and aren’t pining.

Hi op. I'm a single parent too. I'd put money on your friends who say that aren't on their own with their DCs. No one can fully appreciate quite how gruelling it is doing it all on your own unless they have lived it.
And by that I don't mean doing 100% of everything kids need on a day to day (and night to night) basis.
It's that feeling that you are in charge of every decision, finances, everything that goes wrong in the house, every issue that your DCs have being dealt with by you alone. It's absolutely overwhelming. So your need / want for a break is much greater than the average parent (who I appreciate feels run ragged too) as it's 100 mph the whole time.

I am lucky - I do get a break now and then (not often) and I love it and really look forward to it. I hope you get a break soon

I've also had this from my vile ex.
'You want a break from your own children?? what kind of mother needs a break from her kids!' Having raised them on my own for 6 years at this point.
I do get Wednesdays and Fridays now, finally - now they're easier to manage! At first, I was so burnt out/relieved to have a break that I didn't miss them very much. I just wanted to sleep and not have to do a bedtime. Lately, I have really started missing them and wanting them to be with me but still massively enjoy a night of uninterrupted sleep and a trip to the gym.
Completely normal to want a break - ESPECIALLY when you're doing it on your own.