Being busy

The family and I just got back from our weekend away a Butlins. It was a good weekend,  even if it didn't start the way we wanted, there were plenty of things to do.

The holiday park is a great family resort because there was so much we could do. On the Friday, as well as travelling and sorting our accommodation and bags out, we explored the site and went on a few activities as well as watching a dancing puppet show. Saturday was filled with fun fair, go karting, more character shows and watching Dick and Dom. Sunday was filled with swimming,  more character shows, more puppet shows, sand pit park. These days were great but as a parent they were also filled with breakfast, lunch and dinner organisation, changing clothing, drinks and as anyone would know with small children trying to deal with excitable children. Although I had my brother and sister in law, as well as my dad, they couldn't be responsible for the children.

In truth now that I am home I am exhausted,  physically and mentally. I've just worn myself out making sure we did everything we could possibly do, especially as a single parent finances were low so we did all the free or prepaid activities.

But this happens to us all when we have done lots. It reminds me of the character tic-toc from Return to Oz.
He is a round-bodied mechanical man that runs on clockwork springs which periodically need to be wound, like a wind-up toy or mechanical clock. He has separate windings for thought, action, and speech. Tick-Tock is unable to wind any of them up himself. He becomes frozen or mute or, for one memorable moment in continues to speak but utters gibberish. His knees and elbows are described as resembling those in a suit if Armour. He is not "technically" alive and feels no emotions. He therefore can no more love or be loved than a sewing machine, but as a servant he is utterly truthful and loyal. He describes himself as a "slave" to Dorothy and gives her defence. Although, he isn't meant to have emotions he cries when he thinks he is going to lose Dorothy, but like the stories the characters seem to have the thing they think they lack.

Each part of me has been wound down, run out of energy,  the problem I face now though is that i'm still a parent.  I love my boys so wouldn't change it for the world but how will I get time to wind myself back up and ready for the next child friendly activity.

We are all like tic-toc; we move quickly,  run between chores or work, children (especially with school restarting) often speak before we think or say or do something we shouldn't. We will burn ourselves out, stay awake worrying about something,  let our everyday get in the way.

So what can we do? What should we do?

Me time.

Me time is such an important act that we should all find time to do.  Whatever your situation finding time to wind your motor is key. If you are a christian take time to pray and meditate and ask for strength.  If you're not,  find something you can escape into, relax, from sitting and actually enjoying a cup of tea, to watching a film or reading a book.  I find being creative helps me, so I'll probably draw or play the piano. Or do a mixture of the above. Put your phone, laptop or any other electronic device that interferes with your time away.

Make sure you find yourself some time, do it when batteries are low not when they've run out. Like tic-toc we might not always have someone around to help wind us back up.