A Mother Alone, Part 2

Things I get to do when I'm alone:

• wake up when I'm done sleeping
• get out of bed when I'm done daydreaming
• complete my own thoughts (or not)
• don't have to explain my actions to little constantly questioning observers
• find stuff where I left it and leave stuff where I find it
• come back in to find a recently straightened up room still straightened up
• eat when I'm hungry
• don't prepare well-rounded meals for unappreciative audiences
• read while I'm eating without feeling like I'm hiding or feeling guilty that I wasn't interacting properly with the family
• empty the dishwasher without feeling annoyed that nobody else has bothered to empty the dishwasher and get that nagging "What am I the maid around here?" feeling
• change my mind without recourse
• pay absolutely no attention to my appearance and wear my hair all pulled back without worries that someone will make a snarky comment about my fully exposed forehead
• read a book in the middle of the day
• take a bike ride with no set destination
• stick my finger in the peanut butter jar without hiding
• not do anything I don't feel like I doing
• work on the computer all day without even once hearing someone complain that I'm "always on the computer!"
• browse in a store
• sit down to rest when I'm tired
• feel guilty about not properly fulfilling my parenting/wifely duties
• just think
• WHATEVER I FRIGGIN' WANT!